Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding After Dark | Gayathri & Pranav

Gayathri and Pranav got married at Old Marylebone Town Hall on Thursday evening. Eight of them in total — the two of them and six of their family. Photos on the steps at six while it was still light, a seven o’clock ceremony in the Paddington Room, confetti in the dark, then a wander round the back streets with whatever light we could find.

Their gallery went over to them today.

Six o’clock, while there was still light

We met on the front steps at six. In the middle of September that gives you about an hour of decent daylight before it starts to go, so we used it for the photos that need it — the two of them on the steps and between the columns, then the family groups while everyone was fresh.

The flowers at the entrance were orange and red that day, which went nicely with Gayathri’s sari. I’ll take that kind of luck.

Family photos with a small group are easy. Eight people, a few combinations, and nobody’s hunting for a missing uncle. Ten minutes and it’s done, and everyone can relax before the ceremony.

The Paddington Room

The Paddington Room is the smallest of the ceremony rooms — eight guests, lounge chairs instead of rows, wood panelling and a fireplace. It feels more like someone’s sitting room than a register office, and for a family wedding like this one it’s spot on.

It’s not a big room, so I keep to the edges and stay out of everyone’s eyeline. An evening ceremony also means the light inside is lamps and a darkening window — warm and low, which I’d much rather work with than fight.

There were a few tears during the vows. Then the rings, the signing, and a lot of hugging.

Confetti in the dark

By the time we came back out onto the steps it was dark. That changes confetti completely. In daylight the steps and the stone do the work. At night it’s the light spilling out of the doors behind the couple, and you have to use that rather than fight it.

With a small group, the trick is getting everyone to throw at once. One big cloud rather than a polite trickle. They did.

Marylebone after dark

This was the bit I was looking forward to. Most of my Marylebone weddings are in the day, so the photos around the area are all cream stone and daylight. After dark it’s a different place.

You work with what’s there — the lamps over the entrance, the glow from the lobby, a street lamp on the corner — and put the couple where that light falls on them. The staircase inside, lit warm, with the two of them at the top. The pair of them framed through the stone balustrade. A doorway with a lantern over it.

And then the cobbled mews round the corner. Old brick, cobbles, one lamp, and the last bit of blue in the sky. Five minutes there and we had the photo of the night.

If you’re getting married in the evening, don’t let anyone tell you you’ve missed the good light. You haven’t. It’s just a different kind. For another evening at the same venue, have a look at Nathalie and Rutger’s winter wedding, and there’s more on dark-evening weddings in my winter wedding photography tips.

Gayathri and Pranav

Thank you both, and your families, for having me. A lovely, relaxed evening. Your gallery’s with you now — enjoy going through it.

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Getting married at Old Marylebone Town Hall?

Whether it’s the Paddington Room with a handful of family or one of the bigger rooms, I’ve written a full guide to the venue — the ceremony rooms, how the day usually runs, the best spots nearby for photos, and my hourly prices. There’s a live date checker on the page too, so you can see if your date’s free before you get in touch.

Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding photography — prices and availability

Planning something this size? My micro wedding photography page covers small weddings across London. And if you’d like to see the same venue in daylight, have a look at Khilan and Pia’s afternoon wedding.