HACKNEY TOWN HALL WEDDING
O + M
Olivia was the third member of a group of friends who form a local book club to ask me to photographer their wedding. Not only they are a truly inspirational group of women but they know how to put on a wedding that defies tradition and a rocking good party.
I joined Olivia and her 9 (!) bridesmaids who were getting ready at the couple’s flat near Victoria Park. There were girls, clothes and champagne everywhere but despite the surface chaos there was laughter and smiles as they climbed over each other to get ready in the canal side flat.
Hackney Town Hall is the closest registry office to my home but amazingly I had never photographed a wedding there before. I was thrilled to be shooting in the The Atria, a state of the art venue space in the Grade II Hackney Town Hall. The space is bathed in natural daylight from the glass roofs, but shielded from the elements making it perfect for all weather and has the feel of being in a courtyard. The front entrance to the original Assembly Hall offers a grand entrance of a sweeping staircase - perfect for a big group photos and a the confetti shot.
After the ceremony guests travelled by a couple of London buses on to the reception venue, Oval Space, a warehouse-style venue offering a view of the iconic Bethnal Green Gas Holders from it’s two terraces - a perfect space for a summer wedding.
As the sun was setting we took a stroll along the canal for some portraits before heading back to the dance floor.
THE ATRIA AT HACKNEY TOWN HALL
A striking space within Hackney Town Hall, the Atria offers a rare combination of natural light, scale and character. Large windows and high ceilings flood the room with light, while the restored Art Deco details and chandeliers give it a sense of quiet grandeur.
It works beautifully for both ceremonies and receptions, with space for up to 100 seated or 200 standing guests. Its central Hackney location also means you’re moments from London Fields and Victoria Park, both ideal for relaxed, natural wedding portraits after the ceremony.
WEDDING RECEPTION AT OVAL SPACE, BETHNAL GREEN
A short distance from Hackney Town Hall, Oval Space is one of East London’s most versatile wedding reception venues. The warehouse-style space is expansive and light-filled, with views over the iconic Bethnal Green gas holders that give it a distinctive industrial edge.storytelling
The space itself is deliberately minimal, allowing you to shape the atmosphere through lighting, flowers and styling. With two large terraces, it’s particularly well suited to summer weddings, where guests can move easily between inside and out.
DOCUMENTARY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT HACKNEY TOWN HALL
Olivia and Michael approached their wedding in exactly the way I love to photograph it, relaxed, thoughtful, and centred on the people around them rather than the process of being photographed.
My approach is quiet and unobtrusive. I work without interruption, observing rather than directing, allowing moments to unfold naturally. Throughout the day, the focus is on storytelling, capturing the relationships, the atmosphere and the small in-between moments that often matter most.
There is, of course, time for family photographs, and we always find space for a short walk together for portraits. These tend to be unhurried and informal, often just a few minutes moving through the surrounding streets, giving you a moment to pause while creating something that feels natural and entirely your own.
PLANNING A HACKNEY TOWN HALL WEDDING?
Get in touch to discuss your wedding plans and photography.
HACKNEY TOWN HALL WEDDING FAQs
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It’s in the heart of Hackney, a short walk from Hackney Central and well connected by Overground and buses. Most guests find it easy to get to from across London, and there are plenty of nearby bars and restaurants if you’re continuing celebrations afterwards.
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The Atria is a light-filled, open space with high ceilings and large windows. It blends clean modern lines with restored Art Deco details, which gives it a sense of scale without feeling overly formal. The natural light makes a noticeable difference to how the ceremony feels and photographs.
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You’ve got a great mix within a short walk. London Fields and Victoria Park offer open green space, while the surrounding streets give you more of that relaxed East London feel. I usually suggest a short wander after the ceremony rather than travelling far.
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Some couples stay on site, but many choose to move elsewhere for the reception. Oval Space in Bethnal Green is a popular option, especially for larger celebrations and evening parties.
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Midday or early afternoon tends to work particularly well, as the space benefits from natural light. That said, it’s a venue that holds up throughout the day, so timing can be flexible depending on your plans. -
I work in a documentary way, quietly observing rather than directing. The day tends to move quickly, so the focus is on capturing what’s actually happening rather than staging it. The space itself, along with the surrounding streets, lends itself well to that kind of approach.