Though I’m a Shrewsbury-based wedding photographer, I spend a fair bit of my time photographing in London, too. So when Sophie and Andy were looking for a photographer to capture their two wedding celebrations – a Hackney Town Hall ceremony and London pub wedding reception, followed by a party in Shrewsbury a couple of weeks later – they knew I was their gal!
I love a London pub wedding, because they’re so perfectly uncomplicated. Whether it’s for a more intimate crowd like Sophie and Andy’s part one was, or whether it’s for a wedding with a bigger guest list, London pub weddings are a laidback and lovely way to celebrate your day.
Six hours positively whizzed by across these two gorgeous London spots. I loved spending time with Sophie, Andy, and wonderful family and friends – I felt like a guest (I see both mums out walking their dogs in Shrewsbury sometimes, and we always say hello!) Small and intimate, it was the perfect relaxed wedding.
Hackney Town Hall ceremony
Sophie and Andy chose a Hackney Town Hall ceremony thanks to the role the area played in their relationship. Though they both went to school together in Shrewsbury, their love story properly kicked off in Hackney, where they re-met years later when they were both living there.
With this in mind, a Hackney Town Hall ceremony was the perfect spot to say I do. After getting ready in one of the rooms at the Brownswood (where they’d return for their London pub wedding reception, more on that below), Sophie, Andy and their loved ones made their way (separately) to the Town Hall.
The Lanchester Suite, with its dark blue walls, mahogany wood and golden accents, perfectly matched their jewel-toned theme for their London wedding. And after the ceremony we of course had to take photos on the iconic steps outside the Town Hall, with a confetti throw for good measure!
(Did you know you can also have your whole wedding day at Hackney Town Hall? Check out J and J’s wedding here, who did exactly that.)
Clissold Park portraits session
After the confetti, it was time to return to the Brownswood for Sophie and Andy’s London pub weddings reception. But before heading in, we took the chance to hop out of the taxi outside Clissold Park, a gorgeous park a stone’s throw from the pub. As it was March we had the pleasure of some early blossom on the trees, which framed Sophie and Andy beautifully!
London pub wedding reception
Then we walked the short distance to their venue for the afternoon, The Brownswood. Top tip, if you ever want to have a serious main character moment: walk down the street in your wedding dress with a bouquet! We stopped for some more photos outside the pub’s corner facade with its marquee lettering, before heading in to see Sophie and Andy’s adoring fans – by which I of course mean their friends, family and loved ones.
One of the many reasons that London pub weddings are so amazing is the buildings themselves, and the Brownswood is no different. The function room itself has high ceilings, exposed floorboards, and long bay windows making it beautifully light and airy (think London pub weddings have to be dark and dingy? Think again!) I also really liked how the stairs led into the room immediately, which made for a great entrance for the newlyweds.
As the room is so characterful, the decor needed was minimal; for example, Andy and Sophie used the room’s brick fireplace as the backdrop to their top table. They added some balloons to the tables, confetti to the floor and a lightbox to the card and cake station, and that was all that was needed!
Yet another benefit of a London pub wedding is delicious food and drink, of course. Depending on the venue, you’ve able to enjoy all sorts of particular and specific drinks, from local craft beers to specialist wines, as well as their delicious home cooked food.
And just because you’re having a laidback intimate celebration, it doesn’t mean you can’t do any of the symbolic elements of a wedding day. If you want them in, you should do them! For example, Sophie and Andy had speeches and a cake cutting, with just a single tiered cake for their 20 or so guests; and it was still lovely and meaningful.
Intimate London wedding photography
Sophie and Andy’s Hackney Town Hall ceremony and London pub wedding was such a joy to photograph – and, lucky for me, I got to do it all over again two weeks later at their Shrewsbury party!
If you’re looking for someone to photograph your intimate wedding day in a natural, unobtrusive way – whether in London, Shrewsbury, or in between – then I’d love to chat. You can get in touch here to tell me all about your plans.
And don’t just take my word for it, either – here’s the gorgeous bride and groom themselves had to say about working with me…
“Oh Laura! I don’t even know what to say! We’ve been in floods of happy tears, we’ve been laughing, we’ve been on the edge of our seats waiting for the next pics!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! We are totally in love with every single pic! You’ve captured it all so brilliantly and we couldn’t have asked for anything more! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ We’re so grateful to you and counting our lucky stars we found you!”
p.s. Looking for some intimate London wedding inspiration? Check out my guide to some of my favourite intimate London wedding venues here.
Working alongside:
Dress – Bridal Reloved Shrewsbury
Hair – C E Hindle
MUA – Katy Nixon
RINGS – Fabricius Green Rings
