A Persian Civil Ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall — Syrus & Bibi
After a four-year, £60 million refit, Old Marylebone Town Hall reopened its doors in 2018 and quickly reclaimed its place as one of the most sought-after civil wedding venues in London — and it’s easy to see why. The building’s grand Portland stone façade, sweeping marble staircases and beautifully restored ceremony rooms make it one of those rare register offices that genuinely feels like a destination wedding venue in its own right. So when Syrus and Bibi told me they’d chosen it for their civil ceremony, I couldn’t have been happier — it’s hands-down one of my favourite London wedding venues to photograph at.
Syrus and Bibi had actually already tied the knot the previous year, in a stunning traditional Persian ceremony on the shores of Lake Como. But London is home, and there’s something wonderful about a couple choosing to mark the legal moment in the city where their life together really plays out. They wanted the day to feel intimate, stylish and full of the people they love — and that’s exactly what we got.
A relaxed, light-filled ceremony
The ceremony itself in the Westminster Room was beautifully relaxed. Bibi looked absolutely incredible in a sleek, figure-hugging gown that caught the light through those huge sash windows, and Syrus was every bit the groom in a sharply tailored suit. Their guests packed the room with warmth and laughter, and there was that lovely buzz you get when everyone in the room genuinely knows and adores the couple.
After the confetti shots on the steps outside the town hall — always a moment I love at Marylebone, as the architecture gives such a strong sense of place — we wandered across the Marylebone Road into Regent’s Park for portraits.
Golden hour portraits in Regent’s Park
London had turned on the charm again: another scorching summer afternoon, golden light streaming through the trees, and the rose gardens looking their absolute best. We kept the portrait session short and easy so they could get back to their guests, but in twenty minutes or so we got a beautiful, varied set of images that captured both the romance of the day and Syrus and Bibi’s natural chemistry.
Familiar faces and Persian wedding traditions
One of the loveliest things about this wedding for me personally was the number of familiar faces in the room. Syrus and Bibi were recommended to me by two other couples whose Persian weddings I’d photographed over the past few years — and there’s no greater compliment in this job than being trusted with another close friend’s big day. Persian weddings have such a rich, joyful character to them, and being welcomed back into that community time and again is something I really treasure.
Planning your own wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall?
If you’re planning your own wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall — whether it’s a small civil ceremony, a larger celebration, or a London leg of a multi-cultural wedding — I’d love to hear from you. You can read more about my approach to weddings at this venue on my Marylebone Town Hall wedding photographer page, and feel free to get in touch with your wedding date so I can check availability and send over my full price list and options.
Congratulations again to Syrus and Bibi — here’s to many more London summers together.
