Wedding Photography at Islington Town Hall
**I’m taking bookings for weddings at this venue for 2025-26 now!**
Beautiful rooms, such as the Mayor’s Parlour, make Islington Town Hall an excellent choice for a small to medium wedding. Good natural light and the lovely bride looking on make this a memorable wedding photograph.
Islington & London City Register Office
I have photographed weddings at Islington Town Hall many times. It is an exceptional and accommodating venue; all the ceremony rooms are unique and photogenic. Whatever the size of your small to medium-sized wedding (up to 160 guests), it’ll be a memorable occasion and a fitting venue for your special day.
The Town Hall incorporates the Islington and London City Register Office (often miscalled registry) and the Assembly Hall. Both are licensed for weddings, and photography is welcomed. Art Deco interiors and more traditional ceremonial rooms make it an outstanding venue for wedding photography and is popular with photographers.
I photographed this heartfelt kiss just after their ceremony. The floral touches adorning the couple help make this image.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Islington Town Hall?I photograph discretely and unobtrusively to capture the 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… |
On Upper Street, the bride and groom greet each other in an embrace before their ceremony. Wedding traditions, such as not seeing each other before the ceremony, are often no longer upheld. I always arrive early to capture your pre-wedding photographs.
Exchanging wedding rings: Photography is positively encouraged at Islington Town Hall. Groom Francisco’s cheeky look towards my camera complements this photo of his same-sex wedding to Paulo.
The Bride and her Father thoughtfully wait in the corridor outside the Mayor’s Parlour. This unstaged shot shows a moment of quiet pre-wedding contemplation before the ceremony. I edited in muted tones to suit the scene and add to the photo’s calm, contemplative nature.
It’s all over—the ceremony, that is! The newly wedded couple leaves the Town Hall to start their new life together. I always photograph a sequence of the couple leaving the venue, and I love this happy black-and-white shot.
Photography Time Constraints at Islington Town Hall
Wedding photography is encouraged at Islington, but be aware that time can get tight, especially on Saturdays during the summer. I like to spend time before and after the ceremony, taking portraits and group shots in various locations around the building.
There is usually time for this, but your photographer must follow the register office staff’s guidance.
Guest photography is allowed at Islington: I took this photograph during the ceremony. The registrars are happy for friends and family to take photos, which I encourage.
Groom Nigel shakes hands with a guest while waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle of the Council Chamber. I’m always looking for natural moments like this to photograph.
The Mayor’s Parlour is the smallest of the wedding ceremony rooms, and this wide shot shows it well. Despite its size, the registrars at Islington are comfortable with the photographer’s presence.
This natural photograph shows the room from the other side during the ceremony, with the registrar just about to announce the couple.
The Borough of Islington Registrars
A registrar and superintendent registrar will conduct your ceremony. They are accommodating and are keen for your photographer to take a good selection of photographs that tell the story of your time at the venue. The Islington registrars are relaxed and allow the photographer to move around during the wedding ceremony. The 2 photos above show how comfortable they were with my presence. I shoot throughout the ceremony, but observing the occasion is essential – I’m always discreet.
It’s great to get up close: the intimate nature of Ming’s short-day wedding was perfect for this photo of his best man handing him the ring.
From a different angle, I captured the ring being handed to the bride, Jenny.
Wedding Bookings at Islington Town Hall
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding
- The registrars prefer you to contact them by email in the first instance: registrars@islington.gov.uk.
- 15 minutes before the ceremony, I am allowed to set up in the venue room. I use this time to photograph the guests as they arrive.
- Saturdays can be exceptionally busy with a high turnover of weddings, so there may be less time for portraits on the stairs and outside. The local area provides lots of photo opportunities, though.
- A wealth of information is available on the Say I Do Islington Website. It’s well worth a look to help answer any questions you have.
- In addition to marriages, Islington Town Hall also performs Renewals of Vows, Civil Ceremonies, Citizenship Ceremonies and Naming Ceremonies, all of which may be photographed.
The bride slips the ring on her groom’s finger—a decisive moment to photograph! The registrar often asks the couple to hold the ring there for a while, which is excellent as it gives me time to take a good selection of photos.
This was used as Room 99 for a while but is now unused.
Taken in the Mayor’s Parlour, this is one of my favourite gay wedding ring exchange photographs. Most couples don’t notice their photographer at this crucial time – they are too busy enjoying the moment.
Read More>> This Venue is Perfect for LBGTQ+ Wedding Photography.
The first kiss is an essential but sometimes fleeting shot to capture. But it is such a critical wedding moment, and the Islington Register Office is the perfect backdrop.
Black and white gives a more timeless quality to the wedding photos and can work better in some cases.
Also Consider>> Old Marylebone Town Hall: Another Iconic Register Office.
The registrars are very relaxed about photographing the wedding schedule signing. I prefer natural shots, such as this one, which I took using attractive directional daylight from the window.
Rules on Signing the Schedule
The register is now online, so the signing is of a wedding schedule. The marriage registrars allow photography of the schedule’s signing, but the photographer must use common sense and not be too intrusive.
Islington Register Office still allow a staged signing for more formal portraits of the couple, pen in hand!
I went wide for this signing portrait, which perfectly shows off the beautiful desk in the corner of the Mayor’s Parlour.
I love the look on the groom’s face as an Islington registrar presented the certificate, which he enjoyed in this lighthearted photo. These days, the register is online, so certificates are posted a few days later.
Islington Register Office Wedding Photography Rooms
There are 7 ceremony rooms and 2 anterooms for your wedding.
There’s often the time for congratulations inside the ceremony room. This image of a father kissing his daughter on her wedding day meant so much to her and the family. I never lose sight of how important my photography is to the couple.
The Council Chamber:
- The Council Chamber lies at the top of the ornate central staircase and is the largest of the ceremony rooms in terms of seating. It is airy and light with a vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows. Seating is ‘courtroom’ style, with guests seated on benches and chairs around three sides. There is plenty of room for your photographer to move around.
- It holds 85 guests on weekends or 50 during weekdays.
- The room is not available on Mondays and only on selected Sundays.
- More info about this wedding space is here: Council Chamber @ Islington Weddings.
The Mayor’s Parlour:
- Furnished in rich red leather and oak panels, The Mayor’s Parlour is the smallest room located at the end of the long corridor on the first floor. The fireplace is the focal point. The couple sits in two large red armchairs with guests to their left and right on a sofa and chairs.
- Only 4 guests seated on the sofa and chairs may attend a wedding in this room. I have photographed 8 guests in the room, so check with the venue if you need more.
- The room is only available on Fridays and Saturdays.
- More info about this wedding space is here: Mayor’s Parlour @ Islington Weddings.
The Richmond Suite:
- Spatially, the Richmond Suite is the largest at Islington Town Hall. Long, with high ceilings and large windows, it would make an excellent venue for your wedding.
- 60 guests are catered for in forward-facing seats.
- Only available on Saturdays (except the 2nd Saturday of the month).
- There are restrictions on music volume in this room to respect the proximity of neighbours.
- More info about this wedding space is here: Richmond Suite @ Islington Weddings.
Room 99:
- The curiously named Room 99 is the most popular, but no frills on most days.
- The colour scheme is grey and white, with an oak floor.
- Seating is available for 20 guests and 1 pet (unseated).
- Time is more restricted in Room 99. On weekdays, only the legal ceremony is allowed. On weekends, a more personalised ceremony is available.
- More info about this wedding space is here: Room 99 @ Islington Weddings.
The Canonbury Suite:
- Just for you and your witnesses.
- If you require a photographer, they must be counted as a witness.
- Seating is available for 2 guests.
- The room is not available on Sundays.
- More info about this wedding space is here: Canonbury Suite @ Islington Weddings.
The Angel Suite:
- This room is available on weekdays only.
- All other details are as for The Canonbury Suite.
- More info about this wedding space is here: The Angel Suite @ Islington Weddings.
The Statutory Room:
- For just the legal paperwork.
- Only your 2 witnesses attend, and no photographer.
- Available on Monday mornings and for residents of Islington and the City of London.
- More info about this wedding space is here: Statutory Room @ Islington Weddings.
The Ante Room:
- There are 2 Ante Rooms available.
- The Ante Rooms hold 6 and may be used to relax before the ceremony or for preparations.
- Only available Friday to Sunday.
- More info about this wedding space is here: The Ante Room @ Islington Weddings.
This informal group shot of the guests waiting before the ceremony shows some of the venue’s Art Deco features.
While the couple was having their pre-wedding interviews, I made the most of the time to take a series of shots of the guests in the Mayor’s Parlour.
Everything about weddings at Islington Town Hall is geared up to allow for photography. At this marriage in the Mayor’s Parlour, the registrar allowed plenty of time to set up group shots after the ceremony.
The corridors at Islington Town Hall are splendid and long, with large windows lining the way. Photography is all about the light, which will help your wedding photographer produce stunning portraits and natural environmental shots.
Islington Town Hall Wedding Photography FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT ISLINGTON TOWN HALL?
A. The town hall has a rich history and is perfect for non-religious weddings, accommodating 160 guests. With its ornate Art Deco features and beautiful ceremony rooms, the venue is the ideal backdrop for short wedding days and those attending their reception meal elsewhere.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE OUR WEDDING CEREMONY CAN WE GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?
A. The venue will give you and your guests access 15 minutes before your ceremony. It can vary slightly, particularly on Saturdays when they may have a full schedule of weddings. This time is ideal for taking greeting shots of guests meeting each other and some small group portraits.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED OF OUR MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND VOWS?
A. The registrars are very helpful and actively encourage photography. They even allow the photographer to take the signing of the schedule.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE PHOTOGRAPHIC SEQUENCE?
A. Wedding confetti is allowed, but only outside the town hall. The steps on Upper Street are the perfect location for this, and it is a great way to exit the venue.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE ISLINGTON TOWN HALL?
A. This varies depending on the area. The hall and stairs can be dim, but the landing area has good window light. In the Council Chamber, the windows are high, but I can balance this with bounce flash. The best room for light is the Mayor’s Parlour – great for some pleasing natural photos.
I love this shot I took of the happy couple seated in the Mayor’s Parlour. They both look so ‘in the moment’ as they wait to take their wedding vows.
There is so much space in the Council Chamber to move around and get the shot. The Islington registrars don’t mind this at all.
The first marriage kiss is a must-have shot at Islington, especially with the gorgeous directional light of the Mayor’s Parlour. I prefer couples to slow down here so I can take the shot.
This photo shows how the beautiful light coming into the Mayor’s Parlour works so well for wedding group portraits. The registrars often give time for shots in the room.
The newly married couple exited the Mayor’s Parlour after their ceremony. Note the stunning wooden surround around the door.
The newlyweds step out onto Upper Street’s town hall steps. On the other side of the road, you can see the Vineyard pub, a popular meeting spot for guests and the groom to assemble before the ceremony due to the proximity. I have started several wedding days photographing at that venue.
Islington Town Hall allows confetti on the steps outside, which always makes for a great wedding photography sequence.
If your guests don’t bring confetti, don’t worry… A round of applause works almost as well!
The Group & Couple Portraits on the Iconic Steps
The town hall can be busy, particularly on a Saturday, but they allow time afterwards for confetti and group photos on the steps outside.
I work through these fairly briskly in case a wedding follows shortly afterwards, and we are moved on. Weddings are generally staggered, but it can happen. Below are some examples of shots that I have taken after the ceremony.
A straight full-length portrait of the couple featuring some of the building’s architecture in the background.
This is on the landing overlooking the stairs. I dressed the wedding party around the couple for a fun group portrait.
Their dog was the centre of attention in some of the group portraits. A friend had brought him to greet them as they exited, although a pet is allowed in most rooms.
The most popular sport for group portraits is outside the front. I went wide to include the ‘Islington Town Hall’ engraved name above the windows for added context.
Some brides like to toss the bouquet, although it’s less common now.
And After Your Wedding Ceremony?
Being a civil marriage venue, Islington Town Hall does not cater to wedding receptions, but numerous local restaurants, pubs, and hotels are within walking distance. The Highbury and Islington area is very cosmopolitan and has excellent potential for those seeking a good night out or a meal with friends. Sometimes, couples take their guests on a purpose-hired Routemaster bus into the city for their post-wedding celebration.
The happy couple’s smiley shot shows off the beautiful façade at Islington Town Hall and gives photographic context. They went on to their reception meal at a local restaurant across the road.
Islington & London City Register Office,
Town Hall,
Upper Street,
London.
N1 2UD.
