Hi Bridal Diaries Gang! 💌

We get asked on a regular basis ‘Where can we do our intimate civil in London?’ and we know it can be overwhelming on where to start. When we think London civils, we think tall buildings, high ceilings, confetti on steps and a big red bus!

Whether you want those chic, iconic London shots, an intimate ceremony or a quick ‘I do’ before jetting off for your destination wedding…we’ve got the ultimate list of venues that’ll make small weddings feel incredible.

Because a civil ceremony might be smaller…but it’s still a huge moment, and choosing the right venue that is a reflection of you both is key!

Old Marylebone Town Hall

This is the classic. Grand white columns, the iconic steps and soft neutral interiors that photographers love! Chances are, if you’ve started looking for your London civil venue you have come across this one, or you know someone who has probably got married there!

One thing bride's and grooms don’t realise until the day is…Old Marylebone Town Hall is busy. The registrars keep to strict timings and the entrance area becomes quickly crowded. You will also see the wedding party before and after you waiting around the steps, it’s a bit of a wedding factory! However, don’t let that put you off as the team there are SO well coordinated so you will be guaranteed to be in and out on time!

It’s still one of the most beautiful town halls in London and actually one of our favourites.

Practical details:
📍 Location: Marylebone Road, Westminster
👥 Capacity: 2-100 depending on the room
💰 Cost: from £948

Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall

Chelsea is not only chic, but its softer, more romantic and a bit more intimate than some of the bigger registry offices. Despite being in Chelsea, it feels slightly less formal which some Brides love.

The surrounding streets are perfect for an intimate lunch after with your guests and your wedding shoot!

Practical details:
📍 Location: King’s Road, Chelsea
👥 Capacity: 8-340 guests depending on the room
💰 Cost: from £350

Islington Town Hall

If you want your red carpet moment, head to the council chamber in Islington (one of their many rooms) It has dark oak tiered chairs and a gorgeous red carpet to really make you feel in your celeb moment! Islington brings grand architecture with warmth on the inside, and neutral for the outside perfect for the confetti photos! It’s also located on the high street which is surrounded by many restaurants and bars, perfect for your post-wedding celebrations!

Practical details:
📍 Location: Upper Street, Islington
👥 Capacity: 2-85
💰 Cost: from £600

Hackney Town Hall

Hackney Town Hall is perfect for our edgy fashion forward girlies! The art deco vibe is stunning and there are beautiful staircases and natural light which are key for wedding portraits. One thing to note is that the inside can get a bit confusing as there are lots of rooms and corridors so make sure there is someone assigned to guide everyone to the correct room so everyone arrives on time!

Practical details:
📍 Location: Mare Street, Hackney
👥 Capacity: 4-250
💰 Cost: from £600 (statutory ceremonies with two witnesses are £56)

Camden Town Hall

Camden is becoming increasingly more popular! It’s got the elements of grand with it’s high ceilings but a slightly calmer vibe than the more central town halls.

Practical details:
📍 Location: Judd Street, Camden
👥 Capacity: Approximately 10 to 100 guests
💰 Cost: From £400

Woolwich Town Hall

Woolwich brings alllll the drama, I mean look at that pink and green combo 👌🏼! The architecture is stunning and feels like you’ve just stepped foot into a cathedral. It’s a very different vibe to all of the other town halls and will give you the most unique photos!

Practical details:
📍 Location: Wellington Street, Woolwich, South East London
👥 Capacity: Typically 10 to 100 guests
💰 Cost: Approximately £300+

A Few Tips

Your civil ceremony venue should reflect how you want it to feel that morning, not just how it looks online. Calm or iconic? Private or celebratory? Fashion led or family focused? Also think about what your plan is for afterwards? Do you want to go to a local restaurant or bar or are you going to travel somewhere else? This will help you narrow down the location.

And a final note: Intimate ceremonies can require more thoughtful planning than people initially think. Multiple ceremonies are happening in the same building, people can get lost amongst the crowd and registrars run to time regardless! A little planning goes a very long way in making the morning feel calm and special, as well as giving guests very clear instructions!

Love always,

Pristine Events 🤍