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Real Weddings

Hackney Town Hall Wedding with Spring Florals and Live Band Karaoke

I know I say this most of the time, but J & J’s Hackney Town Hall wedding was a really special one (what can I say? I love my job!) They brought the outside in with their sensational Spring florals, and they brought the house down later with their incredible live band karaoke – all taking place under the glass atrium of London’s most iconic wedding venues. I am still pinching myself I was the wedding photographer to capture this one.

Hackney Town Hall, London’s Best Wedding Venue

When you picture a town hall wedding, you’re probably envisaging something traditional and understated – but Hackney Town Hall, London’s crème de la crème of ceremony spaces, is in a league of it’s own.   

As well as the older, iconic parts of the Grade II-listed Hackney Town Hall, such as the beautiful wood-panelled Committee Rooms, there’s also the newest additions: the North and South Atria. These two spaces connect the brick walls of the original building with impossibly tall glass roofs, which give the impression of being outside when you’re actually inside at all times.

J and J used both of the rooms for their wedding celebrations, hosting their ceremony, drinks hour, and evening reception in the North Atrium, and their delectable wedding breakfast in the South Atrium.

A Springtime Meadow at Hackney Town Hall

The atria at Hackney Town Hall are beautiful as they are – but still offer you the opportunity to put your own spin on things. And this is exactly what J and J did by transforming the North Atrium into a springtime meadow bursting with colour.

Working with the brilliant Ivy Amelia Flowers, they created vibrant arrangements of blue, yellow violet and pink threaded through the abundant greenery. The aisle florals looked as though they were growing straight from the ground, while two tall vases framed the ceremony. Later, these were moved to the end of the long trestle tables laid for the wedding breakfast, and more bold and bright flowers adorned the tabletops. 

Of course, the aesthetic impression of this floral wonderland was magnificent – perfectly matched for the light, open feel of the atrium.

A Persian Wedding Ceremony

J and J had already had their legal ceremony, so their Hackney Town Hall London wedding was a symbolic celebration – a Persian wedding ceremony led beautifully by two close friends.

After exchanging rings, J and J began on the symbolic actions undertaken with the sofreh aghd (the traditional Persian ceremonial spread) was a breathtaking display of symbolism and artistry. On a tasselled cloth in front of the newlyweds was a mirror (to bring light and brightness to the marriage), two ornate candlesticks (to symbolise energy and clarity), and various nuts, fruits, and candy (to symbolise strength and sweetness). Placed on top of the termeh, a traditional Persian cloth that’s traditionally handed down between generations and is there to represent family, were seven spices to guard against the evil eye all placed in incredible cabbage leaf-esque ceramic bowls, as well as Revelations of Divine Love. With a fine, silky sugar cloth being held over them, they fed each other from these delectable treats, and were showered with two sugar cones by a procession of their loved ones.

A perfect blend of tradition and modern celebration.

Wedding breakfast and the Bandaoke Experience

After the ceremony we headed out to the steps to take some group photos and a confetti shot (because what’s a Hackney Town Hall wedding without confetti on the stairs?!) before heading back into the North Atrium for some celebratory drinks. Here, Kitchen Party had worked their absolute magic with a selection of delicious canapés that were only to be surpassed by the menu they’d put together for the meal itself! As well as other members of their family and friends, both bride and groom gave a speech – to a rapturous reception. Then, it was time: time for the Bandaoke Experience.

What’s The Bandaoke Experience? I hear you cry. An excellent question. Basically, it’s live band karaoke – so instead of a traditional wedding band format, where they’d sing and play and you’d dance, or a traditional karaoke format, where you sing but with a pre-recorded backing track, you get to go on stage and sing your heart out with an experienced live band behind you. As cocktail waiters walked around with trays of Negronis and margaritas, everyone either tried their hand at Bandaoke, or danced enthusiastically to the people who were trying it – an incredible end to an incredible London wedding.

Planning a Hackney Town Hall wedding?

If you’re planning a Hackney Town Hall wedding and are looking for a relaxed, documentary style wedding photographer to capture it, I’d love to chat. You can get in touch here.

Or perhaps you’re dreaming up a London celebration that’s intimate, creative and filled with personality – explore my intimate London wedding venue inspiration here. 

Whether you’re planning supersized or super small, I also wanted to shout out the superstar wedding supplier team who worked to bring J and J’s wedding to life – Ann Nicholas, Ivy Amelia Florals, Kitchen Party Events and Well Dressed Tables everything looked – and smelled – amazing too. 

If you are wondering if you need a wedding planner, you can watch my chat with Ann Nicholas here and we discuss how hiring a planner can make your wedding experience seamless and stress-free.

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