Wedding Photography at Wandsworth Town Hall/Register Office.
Wandsworth Town Hall’s courtyard is a perfect location for the bride’s arrival and some beautiful wedding photography.
Wandsworth Town Hall is a grand building located in central Wandsworth, SW18. It houses the Wandsworth Register Office (or Registry Office), where many couples have wed over the years. The beautiful art-deco architecture and features present some lovely wedding photography opportunities.
The top of the marble hall’s staircase is one of many great photo locations for your wedding photographer to take portraits.
Built in the 1930s and opened in 1937 by Queen Mary, it remains mostly unchanged, with 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 Victoria Room: The interiors of the Wandsworth Town Hall ceremony rooms are just as lovely as the outside and great for your wedding photography.
The Grandeur of Wandsworth Register Office for Your Marriage
I have photographed Wandsworth Town Hall several times. On arrival, the building’s seemingly large scale, enhanced by the considerable entrance court, is immediately striking. Many brides and grooms have arrived in style over the years.
The Marble Hall, with its choice of five ornate rooms and handy South London location, is a fantastic register office for getting married.
Capacity at Wandsworth Town Hall varies from 10 in the Mayor’s Parlour to 100 in the Grand Chamber.
As the groom takes his bride’s wedding ring from his son in the Victoria Room, he is oblivious to me taking photos and documenting the occasion to enjoy for years to come.
Also Consider>> Chelsea Old Town Hall for Civil Marriages.
Arriving together gave Vendula and Stan time for some wedding portraits before their ceremony.
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… |
I love photography which provides valuable context and tells a story. For this image, I sneaked behind two guests to capture them photographing the couple and their ‘Mr & Mrs’ balloons. A much more natural photo!
An Ideal South London Wedding Photography Location
The Town Hall is ideally located on Wandsworth High Street 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.
This photo shows the huge scale of the building as Samantha and Tal approach it before their ceremony. An hour later, they left through the door in the middle distance as husband and wife.
Peter and Margaret’s Bond-style Aston Martin DB5 added a touch of ’60s class to their wedding. They were a mature couple, and Wandsworth Town Hall is perfect for older couples marrying, too!
Photographers’ are often unable to take photos like this. There are usually some cars in the background, but I made the most of the quiet day to show off the building.
A stunning portrait of mother and son taken just before the bride’s entrance into the Alexandra Room.
Wandsworth Register Office: Before the Ceremony
As with all civil marriages, the couple must arrive early to meet with the registrar. They will arrive at the beautiful courtyard with its central fountain. The early arrival ensures that all the legalities and paperwork are 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.
I met with Katrin and Aleks an hour before the ceremony for some portraits. I photographed this a short walk away from Wandsworth Town Hall
A wedding portrait, COVID-19 style! During coronavirus, the couple was allowed in without masks, but it was fun to have fun, and some couples came fully prepared with joke face coverings.
Children are adoreable at wedding, and made to feel very welcome at Wandsworth. If the adults aren’t doing much, the children will be, and I fully embrace the chance to photograph them as an important part of the day.
It’s traditional for the groom to wait in the ceremony room for his bride to enter, but these days anything goes! It’s always an exciting time, and I like to capture a sequence of the wedding entrance, whatever way you do it. Your wedding photographer needs to be at the top of their game at this time so as not to miss anything.
As the groom has time to be nervous, the bride is ready to enter the Victoria Room for their ceremony. Photographing wide, enabled me to capture everything going on.
It’s always gorgeous when young bridesmaids lead the entrance procession. With children, there’s no hiding the nerves and excitement.
This couple arrived together in the Alexandra Room to applause from their guests.
Wandsworth Register Office Wedding Ceremony Rooms
The Victoria Room is suitable for smaller weddings holding 23 guests.
All room capacities include your photographer:
The Elizabeth Room:
Only seats up to 8 guests. The most minimalist of ceremonies with no readings or music.
Victoria Room:
It accommodates up to 23 guests and has a gorgeous conference table in the centre. The price includes the choice of music and reading.
Alexandra Room:
It is my favourite room to photograph, and it has recently been refurbished. It seats 43 guests and includes one reading and your choice of music.
The Grand Chamber:
The largest ceremony room seats 98 wedding guests. Up to 3 readings and live acoustic music are included, although you must book this separately. I have never photographed in this room, and there’s a 10% discount for the first couple to book me to photograph their wedding there.
The Mayor’s Parlour:
With seating for only 6 guests. Otherwise, similar additions to The Grand Chamber.
Up to three readings are allowed during the ceremony, depending on the chosen room. These add a more personal touch to proceedings, and I advise you to make the most of them. This was from one of my earliest weddings; my photographic style has changed—as has the room!
I can’t remember the joke here, but I strive to capture every expression of happiness as the best man presents the rings.
Moments like this are a must for me to photograph, and I love it when they happen spontaneously.
George and Dave’s LGBTQ/gay wedding ceremony was in the Victoria Room. Only their two witnesses were in attendance.
During the ceremony, couples don’t usually notice my camera. They are too involved in the moment – as it should be!
I like to take photos from various angles and positions around the room. The Wandsworth registrars don’t mind this at all and actively encourage wedding photography.
The signing of the Marriage Register: Photography is allowed at Wandsworth, with the only stipulation that the photographer doesn’t zoom in on the page.
Although the registrars are relaxed about photography of the wedding register signing, they can also set up a ‘dummy’ register for some more posed photos with the pen. Here the couple were more interested in having fun, which was far more… Fun!
After the signing, the moment becomes all too real for groom, Stan. Moments like this help your photographer tell the story of the day.
After the signing, the registrar allows a little time for posed photos in the room. I took this natural shot after they had lined up, as it was much more in line with my candid photography style.
With the ceremony over, couples generally relax and walk back down the aisle together. Tal made a how of if and high fived guests as he went! Of course, your photographer must be in the right position to capture the unexpected.
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 they not do so, in which case the registrar will announce before the ceremony begins. In any case, guest photography should not hinder either the registrar or your photographer from performing their duties.
After the ceremony, congratulations: The registrars allow a little time for hugs and kisses, which makes for great photography.
Happiness and love between friends and family are very apparent at this special time of the wedding day.
The Marble Hall staircase is perfect for some group portraits. The best photography position is from the balustrade above.
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 that day. I then like to photograph the couple walking along the long corridor and exiting into the courtyard. Wandsworth allows confetti, so taking a sequence of confetti shots outside is nice. There’s also scope for posed photos in the magnificent courtyard with the fountain.
The couple poses on the grand staircase in the Marble Hall. On busy days, time may be limited because other weddings finish at a similar time.
The newlyweds and bridesmaids spill out into the courtyard through the elegant doorway.
The Courtyard at Wandsworth Register Office is almost Royal in size and appearance. It is excellent for youngsters to run around after the ceremony.
Also Consider>> Short Wedding Photography Packages to Suit Small Venues.
This portrait of the happy couple shows more of the doorway, including the Wandsworth Coast of Arms. It includes the shields of all four parishes of the Borough: Battersea, Putney, Tooting and Wandsworth.
A group shot of the whole wedding party is a must-have portrait. I went wide in this one to photograph more of the facade of the entrance.
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding at Wandsworth Town Hall
- You can contact the registrars by calling 020 8871 6120 or emailing registeroffice@wandsworth.gov.uk.
- The venue conducts room viewings by appointment.
- The London Borough of Wandsworth has many other wedding venues to hire, including Battersea Park, the London Rowing Club, the Pump House Gallery & Winchester House. All allow photography.
- 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 permitted. I try to photograph as long as possible before being moved on.
- Parking for guests is available on Saturdays at the Town Hall. Two cars per wedding are allowed in the Courtyard.
- As well as marriages, Wandsworth Town Hall also holds Renewals of Vows, Civil Ceremonies/Conversions and Naming Ceremonies.
For full information, including pricing, visit the Wandsworth Town Hall Website
It was dark when Vendula and Stan left the town hall, but flight lit confetti photos work well and give atmosphere.
A shot of the bride and groom from the doorway shows the other side of Wandsworth Register Offices octagonal courtyard.
A standard portrait of the bride and groom shows off the courtyard’s central fountain: There are many elements to include to produce some stunning wedding photography at Wandsworth Town Hall.
But I do prefer more fun and natural shots. This one demonstrates the couple’s personalities and sense of fun.
Part of the same sequence: I shot a few of the couple as the bride giggled with happiness.
I sometimes ask couples to dance. It can produce some stunning and intimate wedding portraits if they are comfortable with this.
Finally, the couple leave for their reception. Capturing the back of the bride’s dress is always good, as there’s so much detail.
The Town Hall,
Wandsworth High Street,
London.
SW18 2PU.
Wandsworth Register Office Wedding Photographer – Guy Milnes Photography.
