Wedding Venues

Islington wedding couple outside Upper Street pub image

Another great Islington Town Hall Wedding Day

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

It’s a London wedding icon, we’ve photographed there many many times, but no matter how often we visit it’s always a very special occasion. We are talking about Islington Town Hall, it’s our favourite, closely followed by Old Marylebone Town Hall and Chelsea. Ok there’s a little piece of our heart in Stoke Newington and Finsbury too!

Islington wedding couple at Coopers Yard Upper Street image

Islington Town Hall wedding couple pose by blue wall

Anyway on to S and J’s intimate wedding, a total of ten people amid some of this years restrictions that David photographed by himself. This was the legal part of their wedding in the UK with very close family only, to be followed by a celebration a few days later in Sicily.

Bride and groom pose outside Islington Fire Station on wedding day

S is from America and now working in the UK while J was English born and bred. Naturally we got on like the proverbial ‘house on fire’. It’s myself David writing the piece, and it’s no waffling exaggeration to say I absolutely love meeting new people and getting the best images, moments and reactions I can for their wedding day.

Islington Town Hall council chamber wedding ceremony

Exchange of rings Islington Town Hall wedding ceremony

For our time together the sun shone, but brighter than that were these two as the stars of their own romantic show. There’s something very special about being a professional guest with such an intimate wedding, and it’s critical that a photographer mirrors the personality and outlooks of the people they work with. It’s essential to get truly natural and relaxed shots. I love that these too were open minded for some creativity too.

Couple kiss by stairs Islington Town Hall wedding

Wedding couple kiss by window Islington Town Hall

The ceremony itself was in the grandest of spaces at Islington Town Hall: the Council Chamber, and even though there were only a few of us the love and enthusiasm of this wedding party more than filled the room. Afterwards we had ten minutes or so to take advantage of some of the locations this fantastic building has to offer. As usual we were looked after by wonderful registrars, many of whom I know personally now!

Islington wedding couple embrace by blue wall

As a former longtime resident of Islington I was able to take these guys to some of my favourite little spots afterwards. I particularly enjoyed their champagne reception at Fredericks restaurant near Angel Tube. It’s a place I’ve visited many times myself over the years.

Islington wedding couple in front of glass wall image

After that it was into cabs for an afternoon tea celebration at famous Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair. A splendid end to a splendid day.

Islington wedding day couple on the street

I’m showcasing some of my personal Islington favourites here. I was able to give the couple 800 edited images of the day telling its story in full for them to treasure and share.

Islington wedding couple outside Upper Street pub image

Here’s link to some of our other blogged Islington weddings:

Screen on the Green Cinema Wedding Islington, Reception at The Juno Rooms

Last ever Islington Town Hall Wedding before lockdown

Islington Town Hall Wedding Photographers, reception at Dead Dolls House

Another lovely Islington Town Hall Wedding & Reception at The Albion

Islington Metal Works wedding day starting at Hampstead& St Stephen church

By David Green

Love2

Bride and groom kiss by anchor Cutty Sark Greenwich wedding

Our 47th 5 STAR Google Wedding Review

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

It’s no exaggeration to say that at the moment we are waiting on about 15 reviews to come through! The problem is people are very busy, and actually getting a review onto Google without creating an account is not particularly easy, so lovely couples with the best of intentions often don’t get round to actually doing it. We remind them if they said they wanted to (just once) because we don’t want to be over pushy!

Anyway here’s a cut and paste from mighty Google itself of our 47th five star review, thanks to Joanna and Tom and their fabulous wedding day at Islington Town Hall, the Cutty Sark and an incredible hired private mansion in Eltham:

“From our initial conversation with David we knew he would be brilliant. He listened to all our ideas, made loads of helpful suggestions, had lots of local knowledge around the venue and good spots for photos, and filled us with confidence. On the day he was superb – he was chatty and friendly with our guests, made everyone feel very at ease and expertly arranged the group shots. He somehow managed to be everywhere at once and capture every moment of the day while also being completely unobtrusive and blending into the background. The photos themselves were wonderful; so many to choose from, natural and colourful and exactly like we wanted. We are so grateful to him for producing such beautiful photos, but also for being such a fun part of the day and cannot recommend his services highly enough!

Joanna & Tom

Response from the owner a week ago

Joanna and Tom, thank you so much for the goggle review! What a fabulous day we had at the most quirky and impressive private mansion I’ve ever seen, your glorious Council Chamber wedding at Islington Town Hall, and the wonderfully atmospheric Cutty Sark. Wishing you both health and happiness for many years to come.

Google review for Big Day Weddings London

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Shoreditch engagement shoot girls laugh by iron doors

Shoreditch Engagement Shoot, inner London photography

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesOne Comment

Well there’s only one thing David likes more than hanging around in a place like Shoreditch, and that is doing a Shoreditch Engagement Shoot!

Shoreditch engagement shoot couple stood by graffiti

Many times we have done a wedding in this most colourful of areas, and then had ten to twenty minutes to get some couple shots between the ceremony and reception. Here’s an example of that at Eight Club Moorgate: Eight Club Wedding in Moorgate and Shoreditch

Shoreditch-engagement shoot couple sat on steps together image

For this shoot I had about fifty minutes, what a luxury, and what a pleasure to work with M and D. This fantastic twosome are getting hitched at the lovely and funky Clapton Country club in August, and quite frankly I can’t wait.

Shoreditch engagement couple in front of large graffiti on black wall London

We started by meeting at Old Street tube station, at 6.30pm. Early evening is ofter best for the quality of light and also the fact that most people working in the city will have wandered home, or into a bar….

Shoreditch engagement shoot couple piggyback and laugh by graffiti

Even so, this is a really buzzing place with people, cycle and electrics scooters whizzing everywhere.

Shoreditch engagement shoot ladies by graffiti

I had a quick walk around before going to Old Street to check a few places I knew, and what has and hasn’t changed graffiti wise and to check whether there was any new scaffolding obscuring anything. Yes scaffolding, London never stops building and growing!

Couple show engagement rings in Shoreditch photo shoot

From our Zoom call earlier in the year I knew I had a great rapport with these guys, and this continued all the way through the shoot. M and D love all things urban and are also partial to any interesting graffiti. This is exactly what suits a Shoreditch engagement shoot.

Engagement couple in Shoreditch by Michaelangelo art display

Such fun finding places, creating reactions, and making use of different lighting and backdrops. Generally speaking I try and make engagement shoots discreet for the couple so that they can relax and feel unselfconscious, usually starting in places where very few people are around.

Couple hand in hand at Shoreditch engagement photo shoot

That’s virtually impossible in Shoreditch, though I did manage, but really these ladies were not shy and just got into the energy and fun of the shoot.

Couple on steps at Shoreditch engagement shoot London

We celebrated a successful time with a cheeky beer afterwards at the Old Blue Last pub.

In fact for those interested I used the area behind and around the Old Blue Last extensively, plus two blocks away from Old Street Station to begin the session.

Next stop Clapton Country Club…

By David Green

Love1

London-wedding-couple-pose-sat-in-bus stop

Intimate Weddings at Old Marylebone Town Hall

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Here’s a very recent small intimate and covid friendly wedding at London’s iconic Old Marylebone Town Hall. This June wedding was shot by myself David, as there was just seven people involved and to be as unobtrusive as possible. I had a great time with this bunch of very positive people, and huge congratulations to Valentina and James for tying the knot 🙂

Bride crossing road to Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Bride outside Old Marylebone Town Hall with wedding bouquet

Both of these guys work in the bus and transportation industry in Oxford, and decided to come down to the “big smoke” to have their ceremony in a town hall that has hosted more famous weddings than perhaps any other single venue in London.

Bride and groom hold hands during wedding ceremony Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride laughs during Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony

Exchange of rings Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony

First kiss Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony

My first sight of Valentina was crossing the busy Marylebone Road with two of her guests, having stayed the night at The Landmark Hotel. Time for James to get inside and speak with the registrars!

Bride and groom walk through Old Marylebone Town Hall corridor

Wedding couple on balcony inside Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride and groom walk down stairs Old Marylebone Town Hal wedding

What I usually do in these situations is start documenting the scene, ie: buildings, room if possible, details etc, then the arrival of groom and anyone that is with them, until the bride arrives. Usually I get a minute or two to get some shots before she too has a pre ceremony chat with the registrars.

Confetti throw Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Much as I like the staff at Old Marylebone Town Hall, they are friendly and efficient, but in my humble opinion a little too efficient at times. I get the least amount of time allocated in the building of any London registry, on average 3 minutes after a ceremony in the corridors and stairs. I know they are very busy, but…not that busy. Ok I’ve said it, I know plenty of other photographers who feel the same, they won’t say it though, not publicly!

Bride and groom together after Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Speaking of ceremonies, this was one of the most affectionate and love filled I’ve seen in a long time, and I’ve documented a lot! Valentina also had the most wonderful and infectious laughter too, which was a joy to capture.

Bride and groom kiss by lion statue Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

New bride and groom walk past Old Marylebone Town Hall after wedding

Afterwards I used my three minutes inside with the newlyweds at fairly high speed. I work fast anyway and it certainly kept the energy levels up.

Bride and groom hold hands by roller doors Old Marylebone Town Hall

Outside on the famous Old Marylebone Town Hall steps it was time for confetti in super bright sunshine. So many times I’ve heard guests at weddings say that they think the personal photos they are taking will be better in sunshine. Well, while we all love sunshine, it usually makes people squint and…let’s just say it’s not that flattering to many skin tones. I noted the sun was going in and out fairly rapidly, so after a few group shots I asked if there was any confetti left, and everyone enjoyed another throw in what is known in photographic speak as “open shade” and so much better!

Bride and groom on wedding day Regents Park bridge London

My coverage for this was at my minimum two hours, so we had plenty of time to walk towards Regents Park and get some shots there. As is my usual style anything on the way that looks interesting we used for shot variety and some fun. Roller doors, bus stops iron railings and general walking shots. I’ve also included an image with a happy cyclist riding past, I spied her out of the corner of my eye and definitely wanted to include her for a more funky take on a fairly traditional shot.

Cyclist rides past bride and groom Regents Park bridge London

I celebrated a little with the couple afterwards in the park, and then got on my horse and road off into the sunset for the day.

Bride and groom by log in Regents Park London

One week later I was able to send them just under 600 edit images for a permanent reminder of a really fun time. Congratulations to Valentina and James and their super wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall!!!!!

London-wedding-couple-pose-sat-in-bus stop

By David Green

Love0

Islington wedding couple laugh by blue wall Upper Street London

Last ever Islington Town Hall Wedding…before lockdown

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesOne Comment

This was a truly lovely and somewhat surreal wedding spent with Alex and Brett, for the very last wedding ceremony at Islington Town Hall before London’s end of March lockdown.

Islington Town Hall wedding couple by London street signs

It felt a privilege, and quite honestly inwardly a little sad for me, to document a special day which none of us knew from the registrars to general staff of the Town Hall, when any of us would be back.

Islington wedding couple back to back by brick wall central London

That didn’t dent the energy of myself or this really fantastic couple and their three guests. One photographer only (David) plus five people, that’s all we were legally allowed!

Bride and groom cross road after Islington wedding

No reception either, as the government at that time had already ordered the closing of venues.

Islington Fire Station wedding image with bride and groom

Anyway, I had a good sense of what Alex and Brett were looking for from our chats on the phone, and as a former resident of the borough and a very frequent wedding photographer at Islington Town Hall, I knew where to go and where the light would be in the surrounding area.

Upper Street wedding reception venue with bride and groom

Meeting firstly in front of that imposing Islington landmark we hit the ground running, with literally energy and laughter all the way.

Islington Town Hall wedding ceremony Mayors Parlour

We really love people and what we do and I think time and again it shows in the photography and the good-natured energy we bring to every wedding. Check out our Google reviews to read what previous couples think of us here: Google wedding reviews

Bride and groom hug Islington Town Hall Mayors Parlour

We spent just under thirty minutes on our pre-ceremony travels before returning to the Majors Parlour for the big event. Ahh how we love the Mayors Parlour. Why? Because that’s where we were married ourselves, so it’s always very special to return to that particular part of the Town Hall.

Wedding couple and marriage certificate Islington Town Hall

After a suitably touching and intimate ceremony and some quick shots in the nearby corridors, it was time for the world’s smallest confetti throw on the steps leading to Upper Street!

Wedding party walk down Islington Town Hall steps