Wedding Photography at Wandsworth Town Hall/Register Office.
Wandsworth Town Hall is a grand looking building located in central Wandsworth, SW18. It houses Wandsworth Register Office (or Registry Office) where many couples have wed over the years, and the beautiful art-deco architecture and features present some lovely wedding photography opportunities.
Built in the 1930s and opened in 1937 by Queen Mary, it remains mostly unchanged with any minor alterations in keeping with the building’s original design and character. It now holds a grade II listed building status. Along the High Street elevation of the exterior are stone reliefs portraying key events and industries in the history of the five parishes that once made up the Borough of Wandsworth.
The Grandeur of Wandsworth Register Office for Your Marriage
I have photographed at Wandsworth Town Hall several times. On arrival, the building’s seemingly large scale enhanced by the considerable entrance court is immediately striking. Many a bride and groom have arrived in style over the years.
The Marble Hall, choice of five ornate rooms and handy South London location means this is a fantastic register office to get married.
Capacity at Wandsworth Town Hall varies from 10 in the Mayor’s Parlour to 100 in the Grand Chamber.
Also Consider>> Chelsea Old Town Hall for Civil Marriages.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Wandsworth Town Hall?I photograph discretely and unobtrusively to capture all the very best moments, leaving you to enjoy your day. With me as your wedding photographer, your memories will be in safe hands, so please get in touch any time to discuss… |
An Ideal South London Wedding Photography Location
The Town Hall is ideally located on Wandsworth High Street just opposite South Thames College. The nearest overground train station is Wandsworth Town, and the closest tube station is East Putney, about a mile away. Numerous bus routes serve the high street, but unfortunately, there is no car parking at the venue for wedding guests.
Wandsworth Register Office: Before the Ceremony
As with all civil marriages, the couple must arrive early for their meeting with the registrar. They will arrive at the beautiful courtyard with its central fountain. The early arrival is to ensure that all the legalities and paperwork is in place. Traditionally, the couple arrives separately, but you may tweak this to suit you. It’s common these days for the bride and groom to arrive at their wedding together.
The groom usually waits in the ceremony room for his bride to enter, as is traditional. It’s always an exciting time, and I like to capture a sequence of this moment and the moments leading up to it. Your wedding photographer needs to be at the top of their game at this time not to miss anything.
Wandsworth Register Office Wedding Ceremony Rooms
**The venue conducts room tours every Saturday at 9 am. Just turn up to the Marble Hall Reception to be collected**
The Elizabeth Room:
Only seats up to 10 guests. For the most minimalist of ceremonies with no readings or music.
Victoria Room:
Accommodates up to 25 people – red-themed with a gorgeous conference table. Price includes the choice of music and reading.
Alexandra Room:
Pictured above. Seats 43 guests facing towards an unusual art-deco mirrored table, totally in keeping with the building’s décor and age. The couple is kept separate before the ceremony if required, and there is an aisle to walk down.
The Grand Chamber:
The largest ceremony room which seats 98 wedding guests. Up to 3 readings are included and live acoustic music, although you must book this separately.
The Mayor’s Parlour:
With seating for only 10 guests. Otherwise similar additions as for The Grand Chamber.
Photography at Wandsworth Registry Office
The registrars actively encourage photography throughout the ceremony so long as it isn’t distracting. Your photographer should be discrete and observe the occasion whilst taking a series of photographs to document your marriage. It is also acceptable for guests to take photos. Sometimes the couple may prefer them not to, in which case the registrar will announce before the ceremony beginning. In any case, guest photography should not hinder either the registrar or your photographer from performing their duties.
After Your Wedding Ceremony
After the Wandsworth Town Hall wedding photography ceremony, there is time allowed for group shots on the ornate Marble Hall staircase with a good view from the high balustrade above. The time allowed on the stairs inside largely depends on how busy the registry office is at that time and on that day. I then like to photograph the couple walking along the long corridor and exiting out into the courtyard. Wandsworth allows confetti, so it’s nice to take a sequence of confetti shots outside. There’s also scope for posed photos in the magnificent courtyard with fountain.
Also Consider>> Short Wedding Photography Packages to Suit Small Venues.
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding at Wandsworth Town Hall
- You can contact the registrars directly by calling 020 8871 6120 or emailing registeroffice@wandsworth.gov.uk.
- The venue conducts room viewings every Saturday at 9 am. Go to the Marble Hall Reception, where somebody will collect you. Booking is not necessary.
- Provisional wedding bookings may be made up to 12 months in advance.
- You may make your formal Notice of Intention up to one year in advance.
- A non-refundable booking fee of £50 is required to secure a room and time.
- The booking fee includes the room hire, two registrars, one marriage certificate, and your music and personal vows choice.
- The London Borough of Wandsworth has many other wedding venues to hire, including Battersea Arts Centre, the London Rowing Club, the Pump House Gallery & Winchester House.
- You are allowed 15 minutes before the ceremony for guest arrivals and to set up in the venue room.
- Saturdays are the busiest day with a high turnover of weddings. There will be less time for portraits on the stairs and in the courtyard, but a few minutes are included.
- You can check availability and book your date and ceremony room via a form on the website.
- There is no parking for guests at the Town Hall, but one car is allowed to wait for your departure.
- As well as marriages, Wandsworth Town Hall also does Renewals of Vows, Civil Ceremonies/Conversions and Naming Ceremonies.
For full information including pricing visit: Wandsworth Town Hall Website
The Town Hall,
Wandsworth High Street,
London.
SW18 2PU.
Wandsworth Register Office Wedding Photographer – Guy Milnes Photography.