April 20, 2024
Hackney Town Hall Wedding Photography
| Ethan & Dennis |
St Ermin’s Hotel (London)
It was a joyful same-sex wedding in London — full of emotion, laughter, and that unstoppable energy you only get when everyone in the room is truly invested in the couple. Ethan and Dennis’ Hackney Town Hall wedding was exactly that: romantic, vibrant, and completely genuine. Their day took place on 13 July 2024, with the ceremony at Hackney Town Hall and the reception at St Ermin’s Hotel in Westminster, right by St James’s Park.
Getting Ready — St Ermin’s Hotel
The morning started at St Ermin’s Hotel, where Dennis got ready with four close friends and his mum. The atmosphere was instantly fun — relaxed, a little chaotic in the best way, and full of laughter. Those honest, in-between moments always make the story feel personal from the very beginning. Dennis’ details were spot on too, including a beautiful pair of Russell & Bromley shoes — timeless, classic, and perfectly him.
Ceremony — Hackney Town Hall (Atrium Room)
The ceremony in the Atrium Room brought a completely different kind of energy: emotional, heartfelt, and full of meaning. During their readings, you could see the emotion on both Ethan and Dennis — happy tears, smiles, and that quiet “this is really happening” moment that makes town hall weddings so special. And the guests matched the mood perfectly. Everyone was incredibly upbeat and joyful, giving the room a warm, celebratory atmosphere from start to finish.
Drinks Break + The Iconic London Bus
After the ceremony, we took a short drinks break outside the Town Hall — champagne, conversations, and that just-married buzz. One of the most memorable details of the day was the couple’s iconic London bus, hired especially for the celebration. Guests gathered around it, chatting, laughing, and soaking up the moment. This is where I lean into a documentary approach — less directing, more observing — capturing natural conversations, real reactions, and spontaneous moments as they unfold. After a few drinks and plenty of laughter, everyone headed to the hotel to continue the celebrations.
Reception — St Ermin’s Hotel (Westminster)
Once we arrived at St Ermin’s Hotel, we took couple portraits in the hotel’s courtyard and inside its elegant spaces — calm, classic backdrops that suited the day perfectly and kept everything relaxed. The venue’s atmosphere is ideal for reception storytelling: guests mingling, genuine reactions, and all the moments you’ll want to remember later. As the evening picked up, With Love Events were on-site for DJ, lighting and entertainment, bringing the energy up another level. A huge shout-out as well to Claret Fernandez (Events Manager), who looked after everyone brilliantly — everything was planned beautifully and ran so smoothly thanks to her support.
Pro Tip: Why a Second Photographer Helps for Larger Weddings
For weddings with a higher guest count (especially 100+ guests), I often recommend having a second photographer. On this day, a second shooter was with me from the ceremony through to the evening, which meant we could cover key moments and the wider atmosphere at the same time — nothing gets missed.
“If you have a larger guest count, a second photographer is the easiest way to make sure nothing gets missed — from key moments to the real candid atmosphere.”
Check availability
If you’re planning a Hackney Town Hall wedding (or any London ceremony — Islington, Camden, Marylebone and beyond) and you’re looking for a London wedding photographer with a candid, documentary approach, send me your date + venue to check availability and I’ll guide you to the best coverage option.
Suppliers & Credits
Ceremony venue: Hackney Town Hall (London)
Reception venue: St Ermin’s Hotel (Westminster, London)
Events Manager: Claret Fernandez
DJ / Lighting / Entertainment: With Love Events
Photography: Gozde Pekdinc + second photographer ( Mert Can Dogan)
