7 ESSENTIAL TIPS when planning YOUR OLD MARYLEBONE TOWN HALL WEDDING
MY OWN LOVE AFFAIR WITH OLD MARYLEBONE TOWN HALL WEDDINGS
I haven’t photographed in a single venue more than I have at Old Marylebone Town Hall. I hadn’t realised this until a guest asked me if I’d shot there before and I attempted to do a mid ceremony number crunch. I lost count but it inspired me to reach out to some of my past couples. I asked them all what advice they’d give to new couples thinking of planning a wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall.
I used to think rather differently of weddings at Old Marylebone Town Hall. If you know the place like I do (and I know it well), you’ll know it’s a wedding factory. Up to 20+ weddings a day can be seen pulling up outside, entering, then leaving soon after to confetti showers, whoops and hugs. Most Old Marylebone Town Hall guests then typically pile onto a red London bus before moving onwards to a swanky London restaurant were the celebrations can continue.
Wedding Photographers pass each other like old acquaintances, too busy to stop and chat but a recognitory nod to each other as we pass the baton onwards to the next event is always obligatory.
The experienced wedding photographers (I’m now firmly in that camp) know the routine like an oiled machine. You get 10 minutes or so outside before you’re moved along for the next set of guests to arrive. In that time you’ve got to master a confetti shot, the barrage of natural embraces that will swamp the couple, some close family formal shots to keep the parents happy and then if you get time, (you have to find the time) some shots of the couple themselves on the steps or under the iconic stone pillars. All whilst making sure you’re not capturing images of the previous or next wedding who are still hanging about.
[1] Remember! Old Marylebone Town Hall is a wedding factory!
Like 20+ weddings every day! Consider what this means to your wedding vision and if the sight of other guests, different transport and more importantly – other couples in white dresses and suits – will bother you on the day.
[2] Embrace the chaos outside the registry office.
Cars / Vans / Pedestrians will pass you (It’s Marylebone Rd in Central London!) and will beep, whoop and shout their congratulations to you regardless of whether they’ve ever met you before in their lives. Be ready for it! Suck it in and make it part of your day.
[3] Don’t just meet your wedding photographer at Old Marylebone Town Hall
Don’t just arrange to meet your wedding photographer at Old Marylebone Town Hall. Even if you do’t really want or fancy preparation photographs, let them travel with you in the car and let them capture the moments before the chaos. Many of my brides have told me that the quiet moments before the ceremony are some of their favourite photographs from the entire day.
[4] Utilise the area surrounding Old Marylebone Town Hall
Use the surrounding area. This is kind of an extension to the last tip really. If you arrive early to Old Marylebone Town Hall you won’t be let in. But you plan to arrive 20 minutes early and use the surrounding area for some simple photographs it can be a real enhancement to your collection of wedding images. The front of the Town Hall is always busy but generally there’s a number of really perfect shots within a minute or two.
[5] Look beyond your wedding photographer’s portfolio
Old Marylebone Town Hall is a beautifully classic London Wedding venue to get married at but it’s also a place where experience matters and photography ability isn’t the main thing that should be considered. I mentioned this briefly in my introduction but being able to ‘people wrangle’, set the rules, break the rules (yup) and generally be ten steps ahead of everyone is a much greater addition to your wedding day than a wedding photographer with little experience and ability beyond the lens.
[6] Allow some ‘real-time’ with your guests.
Once you leave the big old doors of Old Marylebone Town Hall you’ll feel the pressure to jump in your car / bus and move on to the next venue. It’s a well oiled ship and the guys there don’t want you to hang about. Despite this, the time when your guests see you for the first time as a newly married couple is also the time when the most natural, joy filled embraces occur. I want to be able to capture this as a single scene on your day rather than a slow trickle of hugs over text 10 hours. Even if it’s 5 minutes, take a breath and let your guests swamp you. When you look back at the images you won’t regret the decision.
[7] Embrace the history of Weddings at Old Marylebone Town Hall
Old Marylebone town hall is over 100 years old and is certainly (in my eyes at least) the countries most famous registry office. Paul McCartney got married here twice (as did Liam Gallagher). Cilla! Sean Bean, Jude Law, Antonio Banderas all took the same steps that you will hopefully take soon. So when you’re being interviewed in the minutes beforehand, just remember that over 125,000 other couples (not all as famous as you) have also been in the same position. It’s a wedding factory but it’s bloody cool wedding wedding factory.
KIND WORDS
ALESSIA + MATTEO
“Words cannot describe how much we loved working with Philip at Old Marylebone Town Hall. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer! Not only Philip is extremely professional and talented but he also is a gentlemen and a lovely human being to have around in such an important day. His presence made me feel so calm and comfortable and at ease. During the entire day he was discrete and always professional, and always had a smile ready for anyone who would come his way. Thank you Philip! You’re the best! “
KIND WORDS
LUNE + JAMES
“Philip has an amazing eye for detail and capturing beautiful emotive shots, and made me feel so comfortable in front of the camera, would highly recommend!! “