Wedding Photography at Stationers' Hall
Stationers' Hall is one of the City of London's best-kept secrets — tucked beside St Paul's, behind a gate most passers-by never notice. I've photographed weddings here before, and it's a genuine favourite: oak panelling from the 1600s, stained glass, and a private walled garden right in the middle of the City. Twenty years of London wedding work, the same editorial-meets-documentary approach, in one of the last true livery halls left in London.AddressAve Maria Lane, London EC4M 7DD
StyleGrade I listed livery hall, rebuilt 1673 after the Great Fire
CeremoniesLicensed for civil ceremonies and civil partnerships
CapacityUp to 120 seated ceremony (Court Room), up to 200 reception (Main Hall)
AvailabilityFull-day exclusive hire or ceremony-only bookings
Why Stationers' Hall
The Worshipful Company of Stationers has existed since 1403 — originally the guild for London's text writers, booksellers and papermakers — and the current Hall was rebuilt in 1673 after the original was lost in the Great Fire of London. It's one of the few ancient livery halls in the City that's survived largely intact, Grade I listed, with oak flooring and panelling dating back to the 1600s and a set of stained-glass windows that catch the light beautifully through the day.What sets it apart from most City venues is the private garden — a genuinely secluded green space with a mature London plane tree, right in the middle of the Square Mile, used for drinks receptions and portraits. It suits a couple who wants real historical weight and a touch of quiet, hidden-away charm, without leaving the City.The Spaces
The Court Room
Overlooking the garden, with its own wrought-iron staircase down to it — seats up to 120 for a ceremony or wedding breakfast. A warm, intimate room with a direct connection to the garden outside.The Main Hall
The Hall's grandest space, flexible for up to 200 — long tables seat 200, round tables closer to 150. Oak-panelled, high-ceilinged, and the natural choice for a bigger wedding breakfast or ceremony.The Stock Room & Garden
The Stock Room comes into its own in the evening for dancing, while the private walled garden — rare in the City — is where most couples gather guests for a drinks reception and where I do a good part of the portrait session.From Stationers' Hall
From weddings I've photographed at Stationers' Hall, including Derri & Erica's.
How I Work at Stationers' Hall
Editorial for the portraits, documentary for the rest of the day. The light through the Hall's tall windows is naturally soft and diffused, which is a gift for portraits — I use it rather than fight it, and the garden gives a genuinely different, greener backdrop just steps from the oak-panelled rooms. For the ceremony and reception, I stay out of the way and let the day run itself. Quiet throughout.I'll always walk the Hall and garden with you before the day, so nothing is being worked out for the first time when your guests arrive.Portraits Nearby
St Paul's Cathedral is a two-minute walk away and gives you one of the most recognisable backdrops in London. The quieter lanes and courtyards around Ave Maria Lane and Amen Corner are worth using too — genuinely atmospheric City backstreets that most couples never think to ask for.Packages
Stationers' Hall weddings follow my standard London wedding photography packages — see full pricing here. Every collection includes the full edited gallery, hi-res downloads and a private online gallery, with me as your photographer start to finish.Your Stationers' Hall Wedding Photographer
I'm Barrie Downie — a London wedding photographer with twenty years behind the lens, working at the editorial end of the craft. My approach comes from photojournalism: I react rather than direct, so what you end up with is a record of what actually happened, made in one of the City's few surviving livery halls. I've photographed weddings at Stationers' Hall before and know the Hall and garden well. I only take on a limited number of weddings a year, which is what makes a one-week full gallery turnaround possible.If you're planning a wedding at Stationers' Hall, I'd love to hear about it. Get in touch here to check date availability.Stationers' Hall Wedding Photography FAQ
Is Stationers' Hall licensed for wedding ceremonies?
Yes — it's licensed for civil ceremonies and civil partnerships, with the Court Room or Main Hall available depending on your numbers.How many guests can Stationers' Hall hold?
Up to 120 for a seated ceremony in the Court Room, or up to 200 for a reception in the Main Hall (long tables seat 200, round tables closer to 150).Is there outdoor space at Stationers' Hall?
Yes — a private walled garden, unusual for a City venue, used for drinks receptions and portraits.How quickly do we get our wedding photos?
Your full edited gallery within one week of the wedding, delivered through a private online gallery with hi-res downloads and no watermarks.Tell Me About Your Stationers' Hall Wedding
Currently taking bookings for 2026 and 2027 weddings. I read every enquiry myself and reply personally within a couple of hours.Get In Touch