5 tips for Weddings at old marylebone town hall
You’re probably reading this because you’ve either booked your wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall already (congratulations!) or you’re feverishly researching London wedding venues to make sure you’re making the right choice for your special day.
Now I’m no wedding planner (though most wedding photographers will tell you that we end up becoming de facto wedding planners on the day!) so I can’t give you advice on what venue to book - that’s a really personal decision. But what I can do is give you a little insight into what a ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall is like, from the point of view of your wedding photographer. So grab your notebook and take these tips down!
1. Be prepared for it to get warm, especially in the smaller rooms
OMTH shares it’s heating system with the London Business School next door, and doesn’t have full control of when it’s on or off. This can mean that you find yourself on the warmer side, especially in the smaller rooms like the Knightsbridge Room. The windows tend to stay closed too, to keep out the noise from the Marylebone Road. Make sure you and your guests carry water and perhaps a fan!
2. You’ll get time inside as a couple to take photos while your guests are brought downstairs
Once the ceremony ends, you and your photographer will be taken off to the side to make your way slowly down from the ceremony rooms, taking some photos along the way (the venue staff will help your guests down to the lobby, so let them know in advance if your party have any access requirements). There are some lovely balconies, windows and stairs on the interior of the hall so take advantage of this to have a quick breather, check in with your new spouse and take some lovely photos!
3. You get limited time on the steps outside
Especially on peak days, there are a lot of ceremonies being held at OMTH. Of course, everyone wants a photo on the iconic steps, but time is limited and the door security won’t hesitate to move you to make way for the next party! Your photographer will be able to help coordinate the confetti throw (if you’re having one), and if you need any specific group shots on the steps you should make both the photographer and guests aware ahead of time to ensure they can be sorted as swiftly as possible. Once you’ve been moved off, there is often still opportunity to take further photos to the side of the steps or in the alcoves, though this might take a bit of sweet talking from your photographer to the doorman!
4. Give them a wave
Speaking of the photos on the steps, you’ll often get a lot of honks of congratulations from passing drivers. Don’t be afraid to give them a wave! It makes for some really fun pictures, especially if you prefer a more candid / documentary style rather than exclusively posed portraits.
5. There’s plenty of locations for portraits even with the central location
I love taking my couples round the back of OMTH, where there are quiet cobbled streets which are wonderful to take photographs in. The red brick buildings on the busier roads are gorgeous if you’d like a more urban look to your pictures, and of course there’s always Regent’s Park up the road if you’d like something a little leafier.
Old Marylebone Town Hall is a fabulous place to get married, so you can’t really go wrong choosing it for your London wedding ceremony. If you’re still looking for your photographer, why not get in touch?