Lesbian Wedding at Islington Town Hall, London: A Real Couple's Day from Start to Finish
London Town Hall weddings are iconic - let’s face it. And probably even more so now with Dua Lipa blowing up the internet with their Old Marylebone Town Hall ceremony. But the iconic trio of Chelsea, Hackney and Islington Town Halls will always be the classic choice for weddings of all shapes and sizes.
So let's take a deep dive into what a wedding at Islington Town Hall actually looks like, from getting ready to the last dance, with a real timeline, practical tips, and photography from this gorgeous LGBTQ+ London wedding featuring I & H.
Getting Ready Together on a Wedding Day: An Alternative to The First Look
The day started with both partners, I & H, getting ready together at their home. I know! It may not be a traditional start of a wedding, but believe me when I say this was so beautiful for so many reasons. I will always recommend this option for wed-to-be’s who are maybe a bit anxious or just don’t want to follow conventions and want to start their day with their best friend.
Helping each other get dressed, helping with hair and make-up, practicing speeches and giving cuddles to your cat… Tell me what better start of your wedding day? I’ll wait. Plus it’s an extra moment for photography without the FOMO because your guests are partying without you.
Afterwards we took a cab to Islington Town Hall where guests have just started arriving.
Wedding Ceremony in The Council Chamber at Islington Town Hall
While guests were being seated in the Council Chamber for about 20 minutes, we had a quiet moment to explore the building. The pressure was already off. They'd seen each other, they'd laughed, they'd danced off the nerves, and that energy carried straight into the ceremony!
And what an entrance together!
The Council Chamber at Islington Town Hall is a genuinely striking room. High ceilings, original features, a grandeur that sets the tone without stealing the thunder away from the marriers. But most of all I love the way guests are seated in a circle around you, so that everyone can see and be a part of the wedding ceremony. It’s also super handy for your photographer to flit around the whole room without being noticed.
The ceremony itself was only about 20 minutes and full of beautiful moments, but the one I keep coming back to: a reading that was BSL-interpreted live by a wedding guest, while everyone else followed along with an order of service. It was such a thoughtful, intentional way to make the ceremony accessible for everyone in the room, and it was stunning to witness.
Afterwards we obviously had confetti and group photos on the steps leading out of Islington Town Hall, followed by champagne for everyone and a red London double-decker for the wedding guests to get to the reception venue.
Reception at The Junction Tavern
Just a short drive from Islington Town Hall, The Junction Tavern is a stunning local pub that is so much more spacious than you’d think. This wedding had 120 reception guests and there was plenty of room for a buffet in the bar area, indoor dance floor and the large garden with tables and little huts in case it rains. After all, we need plan B’s for British weddings.
We had lovely performances from a Greek duo, which had everyone dancing way before the evening.
And then came the surprise - a silent disco for everyone, which took us dancing through the streets of London!
We ended the night with another short but sweet couples photoshoot, before heading back to the party.
FAQs: Islington Town Hall Weddings
How many guests can Islington Town Hall accommodate? The Council Chamber holds up to around 100 guests for a ceremony. This wedding had 80 guests. For smaller, more intimate weddings there are other rooms available.
Is Islington Town Hall good for LGBTQ+ weddings? Absolutely. Islington Town Hall is one of London's most inclusive and welcoming ceremony venues, they openly mention the current legal challenges with gender-diverse ceremonies and suggest working together to create gender-affirming celebrations.
Where do couples go for their reception after Islington Town Hall? Popular nearby reception venues include The Junction Tavern in Tufnell Park (as featured here), as well as restaurants and private hire spaces across Islington and North London.
Do I need a separate ceremony and reception venue? Yes, Islington Town Hall is a stunning venue, but it’s only for wedding ceremonies, be it marriage or civil partnerships. You might want to choose to have an intimate ceremony-only wedding and I offer a special photography package for town hall weddings which will cover the ceremony and some photos afterwards with your nearest and dearest. But if you want to go for a full-on party with all your friends and family, there are many great options for reception venues within easy reach.
Thinking About Who Photographs Your London Wedding
One of the things I care about most is making sure you feel comfortable and seen on your wedding day, because the best documentary photos happen when people relax into the moment and genuinely experience their day. I work with all couples: LGBTQ+ couples, neurodivergent couples, people who hate having their photo taken, people who aren't sure what they want from their wedding photos yet, and the one thing they have in common is they value authenticity and the people they love over outdated traditions. And they want suppliers that truly get it and support them in their journey.
At a chic venue like Islington Town Hall, your wedding story tells itself and I’m there to capture it exactly how it unfolds, and London is the dream backdrop to it all.
If you're planning a wedding at Islington Town Hall, or any London venue for that matter - I'd love to chat.
Ready to Discuss Your Wedding?
I photograph weddings across London and the UK, and Islington Town Hall is one of those venues I genuinely love coming back to.
Get in touch here and let's talk about your day.
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