Paige And Jonno’s Marylebone Town Hall Wedding.
I met Paige & Jonno at a wedding fair last year. When they told me they where getting married at Marylebone Registry Office my ears immediately pricked up. Marylebone Town Hall is one of those iconic wedding venues that is on all good wedding photographers lists to shoot at and I have wanted to shoot there for a long time. They then told me the date, 8 November, thats my birthday. I told them that I quite fancied shooting at Marylebone on my birthday.
The couple then proceeded to tell me theirs would be a wedding with a difference. No fancy cars, no expensive invitations (guests found out by text), no speeches, no first dance, no cake. Just celebrating in their own way with friends and family with good food, entertainment and plenty of booze. They wanted to hire a London route master bus to take guests to their restaurant, drink plenty of champagne on the way and then hop off to take amazing photos at iconic London locations.
Wow, if that does not sound like my ideal wedding I dont know what does. To say I was delighted when they booked a few days later is an understatement, although it meant my birthday plans would be on hold.
Marylebone Town Hall.
The iconic entrance with its imposing pillars and grand staircase is a photographers dream and I was very excited about shooting in this area. Marylebone Town Hall has 8 rooms and in peak season can host up to 30 weddings a day, so photographers have to be really on their toes as you only have a set amount of time to produce the essential images before your time slot is up and the next wedding party move in.
Whilst Marylebone Town Hall is lovely, and the staff (especially the registrars) are very sweet, it is also ruthlessly efficient – I guess they have to be given it’s popularity and the number of weddings they hold on each day. The staff are keen to make sure that everyone has their moment on the iconic outside stairs, but as you are leaving there may well be another wedding either arriving or waiting to leave their ceremony room behind you. So Marylebone Registry Office is for you if:
The Ceremony.
The day (thats my birthday), started at London Metropole Hotel in Edgware Road. Normally when I shoot bridal prep there is a hive of nerves and activity with bridesmaids rushing around, fixing dresses and pouring drinks. Not this time, I was greeted by a very calm Paige, who looked fab in her dress by Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal and her mum. I popped downstairs to catch up with Jonno and guests, who was looking super cool in the hotel bar, so a few quick portraits here and then a short walk down Edgware Rd to a pub opposite the registry office.
Paige & Jonno where married in the Westminster suite, with its dark wood panelling and lit by tea lights the atmosphere was great and the light made for beautiful photos. I am really happy with the images I produced during the ceremony. However, once the “boring bit” (Paige’s words) was out of the way it was time to take our place on the iconic front steps for some epic confetti shots and family photos. It was also a great opportunity for me to get out my beautiful large format camera Mamiya RZ 67 and shoot some bride and groom shot son film. I love shooting film, takes me back to my days as a photographer for Smash Hits and J17.
Routefinder Bus Fun.
With all guests piled onto the bus the party did not take long to get going. The champagne flowed and there where so many great photo opportunities to really capture the spirit of the day. The destination was the restaurant Sunday in Brooklyn in Notting Hill Gate, but Paige & Jonna wanted to jump off the bus at some point to produce some beautiful photos around iconic London landmarks. What is more iconic than Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and River Thames, so we found ourselves on Westminster Bridge surrounded by 1000s of tourists.
This, for me was the main part of the brief and it was extremely important to Paige & Jonno that their wedding photography incorporated important London landmarks but also had a contemporary editorial feel to them. It takes a lot of confidence to have your photos taken professionally in front of big crowds but Paige & Jonno where like professional models, expertly taking my direction and really enjoying the experience. These really are some of my favourite wedding photos with the river Thames, Big Ben and houses of parliament all featuring.
We then popped into a lovely little pub for a few pints and photos.
Then onto the underground for what would prove to be a fantastic moment. The tube was packed and lots of people where wishing the happy couple well. Paige & Jonno just took it all in their stride, enjoyed the moment and took selfies of each other, they really did look like Londons next top models.
We arrived at Notting Hill Gate tube and took some more shots. It was here that one of Paige’s favourite moments from the day occurred. As we walked along the now empty platform, the opposite platform was busy. It then erupted into whoops, cheers and applause as the entire platform wished the newly married couple well. What an amazing moment.
Reception.
Once we arrived at Sunday in Brooklyn guests where seated for evening meal, so that was my opportunity to take a well earned break. Arsenal where playing Sunderland so I managed to find a pub to watch that.
After the game I went back to the restaurant to find the party in full swing with plenty of champagne flowing and old school Ibiza anthems playing, getting everyone up and moving. This was all accompanied by live saxophone player to really add to the party atmosphere.
The evening finished with a silent disco which again made for some great photo opportunities.
So that was my first wedding at Marylebone Registry Office and it really did not disappoint, I cannot wait to shoot there again.
If you are planning a super cool London wedding and your wanting editorial style photography with an edgy fashion feel to them then get in touch, I would love to hear from you.
https://www.masseyphotography.co.uk/contact-us/
Paige and Jonnos dream team
Photography – massey photography https://www.masseyphotography.co.uk/
Venue – Marylebone Registry Office https://www.adaytoremember.london/
Reception – Sunday in Brooklyn https://www.sundayinbk.co.uk/
Cellist – Katy Cello https://www.katyacello.com/
Transport – Routemaster London https://routemasterbus.london/
Flowers – Grandirosa https://grandirosa.com/
Bride dress – Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal https://www.charlotteelizabethbridal.com/