Best Registry Offices London

When it comes to stunning registry offices, London really does excell. I’ve been a London wedding photographer since 2010, so you can imagine I’ve experienced a fair few London registry offices in my time. To help make your decision, I’ve decided to compile a list that focuses on quality over quantity, as I run down the best 5 registry offices London has to offer. As an added bonus, these are all London registry offices that I’ve actually photographed in before, so I can testify that they are indeed absolute quality!

1. Islington Town Hall

It could be because I’ve photographed there the most, and as an Arsenal fan Islington is very close to my heart, but I’d say even speaking objectively, Islington Town Hall is the classiest registry office in London. Situated on Upper Street, Islington Town Hall’s prominent Art Deco features hits you from the very moment you stand outside and follow you all the way inside, and up the marble staircase towards the grand Council Chamber. There are rooms for all sizes of weddings, including the brilliantly titled Room 99, The Mayor’s Parlour and the Richmond Room. Islington Town Hall Wedding Photographer

2. Old Marylebone Town Hall

A close second for me has to be the world famous, and iconic, Old Marylebone Town Hall. This is the venue which has hosted the weddings of Cilla Black, Sean Bean, Ringo Starr, Liam Gallagher (twice!) and Paul McCartney (twice!!). This registry office oozes class all over, and has the most photogenic alcove of any building in London, the perfect place for a post ceremony portrait. There are also seven rooms to choose from, ranging from 37 seats in the Soho Room, to 5 in the Knightsbridge Room. Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Photographer

3. Hackney Town Hall

Hackney Town Hall is a recent favourite of mine, and I’m beginning to shoot there more and more as the popularity of weddings in East London has taken off in the last few years. Having cool wedding venues close by is not the only reason to book here - Hackney Town Hall also recently had a state-of-the-art glass roofed atria built in, which not only looks very impressive, but also lends itself brilliantly to wedding pictures that are bright with natural light. There are also the more traditional, elegant rooms such as the beautifully restored Assembly Rooms, Committee Rooms, and the Council Chamber. Hackney Town Hall Wedding Photographer

4. Chelsea Town Hall

An old favourite, I’ve photographed at Chelsea Town Hall a few times over the years, and it’s the archetypal classic registry office. Situated along the King’s Road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Chelsea Town Hall has a number of rooms to choose from, and ranging in size from 340 for the Main Hall, to 5 in The Harrington Room, which is surprisingly the most popular bookings wise. Chelsea Town Hall Wedding Photographer

5. Stoke Newington Town Hall

Conveniently situated across a pub (which is perfect for a pre-ceremony tipple and meeting spot for guests), Stoke Newington Town Hall follows the art deco feel of it’s older siblings, Hackney and Islington, and has two ceremony rooms to offer. The Council Chamber was particularly impressive, with its gallery area that overlooks the main chamber, and can fit 83 people in total. The larger Assembly Room has capacity for 550 people, so is perfect for Jewish, Greek or Indian weddings. Stoke Newington Town Hall Wedding Photographer

6. Waltham Forest Town Hall

Waltham Forest Town Hall is a new addition to the list, and for good reason. This spectacular town hall has recently had an extensive renovation, and has become newly opened for wedding ceremonies. A good thing too, as it’s a fantastic space, and not too far from Walthamstow Village, and a number of very cool venues (God’s Own Junkyard being one of them). There are also a number of rooms to choose from, with arguably the most impressive one being the the Fellowship Civic Chamber, which has capacity for 145 guests, and benefits from am upper gallery as well. Waltham Forest Town Hall Wedding Photographer

7. Southwark Register Office

Southwark Register Office is probably the most understated option on this list, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Based at Camberwell House on Peckham Road, it’s a practical, no-fuss choice for couples wanting a small London ceremony without the grandeur of somewhere like Islington or Marylebone. The main ceremony space, The Garden Room, is simple, bright and functional, with room for up to 35 guests, plus the couple. The real bonus is the private garden, which gives you somewhere quiet for a few relaxed photos afterwards before heading on to lunch, drinks, or a bigger celebration elsewhere. It’s not the most ornate registry office in London, but for intimate weddings where the ceremony is just one part of the day, Southwark does the job very nicely. Southwark Register Office Wedding Photographer