Some wedding days unfold in the most wonderful way, exceeding every expectation. Joanna and Sunit’s May morning at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London was exactly that. A small, intimate, and completely joyful celebration with just seven guests, sunshine that nobody had dared to predict, and a Michelin-starred lunch to finish. It was one of those days that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with this job.
The forecast had promised rain. As I made my way into London that Sunday morning, I will admit I was not expecting much from the weather. However, the weather gods had other plans entirely. By the time we gathered at Old Marylebone Town Hall, the sun was shining and London was looking absolutely beautiful. Furthermore, it set the most perfect tone for the most perfect day.
Old Marylebone Town Hall — One of London’s Most Beautiful Wedding Venues
Old Marylebone Town Hall is one of London’s most iconic and sought-after wedding venues. Situated on Marylebone Road in the heart of central London, this magnificent Grade II listed building has been welcoming couples through its doors for over a century. Its beautiful architecture, elegant interiors, and wonderfully central location make it one of the most popular choices for couples planning an intimate London wedding.
Joanna and Sunit chose the Soho Ceremony Room for their wedding, a beautiful and intimate space that was absolutely perfect for their small celebration. With just their closest family and friends around them, the ceremony was warm, personal, and full of quiet emotion. As an Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding photographer, I can honestly say it is one of the most beautiful ceremony spaces in the whole of London.
A Sunny May Morning in Marylebone
Joanna looked absolutely stunning. She wore a sleek and elegant cream dress that was completely timeless and perfectly suited to the occasion. Her blue shoes were a gorgeous and unexpected touch, and they matched her confetti cannons perfectly, more on those in a moment! Sunit looked incredibly dapper, and the two of them together were simply beautiful.
After the ceremony, I grabbed some portraits of them inside Old Marylebone Town Hall. The architecture and interiors provide the most wonderful backdrop for wedding photography. The light, the stonework, and the sense of history in the building all come together beautifully. Furthermore, as a London wedding photographer, I never tire of photographing couples here. It is simply stunning.
Confetti Cannons on the Steps of Old Marylebone Town Hall
Afterwards, we headed outside for confetti. Joanna and Sunit had brought confetti cannons, which I absolutely loved. The blue and white paper confetti matched Joanna’s blue shoes perfectly and looked extraordinary in the photographs. Old Marylebone Town Hall provides the most spectacular backdrop for a confetti moment. The grand steps, the beautiful stonework and the London sunshine all came together in the most magical way.
We stayed back after the confetti for a few more portraits outside the town hall. Meanwhile, the streets of Marylebone provided a wonderfully characterful London backdrop. These are some of my favourite portraits from the whole morning, and they capture the joy and intimacy of their day perfectly.
Portraits on the King’s Road, Chelsea
Following our time at Old Marylebone Town Hall, Joanna Sunit and I jumped in a cab and headed to the King’s Road in Chelsea for a few more portraits. Chelsea holds a very special place in Sunit’s heart. He trained as a doctor in the area, and the King’s Road feels like home to him. Choosing it for their wedding portraits was therefore a wonderfully personal and meaningful decision.
The King’s Road was buzzing with activity when we arrived. Chelsea in Bloom was in full swing, and everywhere was setting up the most extraordinary floral displays. It was a wonderful backdrop to the day, but not quite right for portraits. Fortunately, we discovered a beautiful, small green area just set back from the road, which was perfectly quiet and completely charming. Sometimes the unplanned spots turn out to be the best ones, and this was exactly that. Sunit had trained in Chelsea, and the area holds a very special place in his heart, so being there together felt wonderfully personal and meaningful. The portraits we captured in that quiet little corner are some of my absolute favourites from the whole morning.
Drinks and a Michelin-Starred Celebration
After our portrait session in Chelsea, we joined the rest of the group at a local pub for a couple of drinks. There is something so wonderfully relaxed and joyful about an intimate London wedding celebration. No formal schedule, no rushing. Just a small group of the most important people, celebrating a special wedding day together.
Afterwards, everyone made their way to Elystan Street for lunch. Owned by the celebrated chef Phil Howard and holding one Michelin Star, Elystan Street is one of Chelsea’s most beloved and acclaimed restaurants. It was the most perfect setting for their wedding lunch. I stayed to capture the toasts and the cake cutting before leaving them to enjoy their meal and the rest of their afternoon together. It was a genuinely wonderful end to a genuinely wonderful day.
Joanna and Sunit — A Couple Worth Celebrating Twice
Joanna and Sunit are both doctors, and they are two of the warmest, most wonderful people I have had the pleasure of spending a wedding day with. Their families were incredibly welcoming and warm, and the whole group had the most joyful energy throughout the day. It was an intimate celebration in the truest sense of the word. Small, personal, full of love and completely magical.
Today was their legal day. Next month, I have the enormous privilege of photographing their full wedding celebration at Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire, a much grander affair. I genuinely cannot wait. If today is anything to go by, it is going to be an absolutely spectacular day. Watch this space for their Notley Abbey wedding blog, coming very soon.
Planning Your Own Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Photography?
Joanna and Sunit’s day showed exactly what an intimate London wedding can look like. Relaxed, joyful and set against some of the most beautiful locations the city has to offer. Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding photography is something I absolutely love, and I would be thrilled to photograph your celebration there.
The legal day before a bigger celebration is becoming increasingly popular, and I think it is a wonderful idea. It gives you an intimate and personal moment with your closest people before the larger party, and it creates the most beautiful set of photographs to treasure alongside your main wedding gallery.
I am a London wedding photographer specialising in natural, romantic and timeless wedding photography. I travel regularly to London for weddings and would love to photograph yours. Furthermore, I cover weddings across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and beyond.
If you are planning your own Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding or an intimate London celebration, please get in touch. I would love to hear all about your plans. Please also check out my blog page for real weddings and wedding tips, and check out my portfolio page for more of my recent work.
