Central London Wedding Photographer
- Cat Brant
- Oct 24
- 4 min read
An Intimate Islington Town Hall Wedding | Central London Wedding Photographer
There’s something incredibly special about photographing intimate weddings in the heart of the city. As a Central London wedding photographer, I get to witness love stories unfold among historic streets, unexpected corners, and the hustle and bustle of daily city life carrying on around us. Ted and Crystal’s wedding at Islington Town Hall was the perfect example of how a small celebration can feel deeply meaningful, personal, and to me unforgettable.
Their day was a reflection of who they are, warm, thoughtful, a little quirky, and absolutely devoted to each other. Their families had flown in from New York, Hong Kong and across the US to be with them, gathering in London, the city Ted and Crystal now call home. Instead of a large, traditional wedding, they chose a relaxed, family-focused celebration that felt true to their life together.
The couple walked into thier ceremony to 'A Married Life' from the film UP, which felt honestly like the perfect fit for them.
Ted and Crystal left me this review:
Highly, highly recommend Cat for your wedding! She is incredibly professional, talented, and a genuinely lovely person. She made us feel comfortable in front of the camera, was friendly and personable with all our guests, and at times, we even forgot she was there - in the best way.
Cat also has an amazing eye for shots & lighting (especially important for our London-weather wedding), and she suggested helpful poses but also let us guide the shoot as well, making it a fun and collaborative experience. Her turnaround time is lightning fast - previews the same day and the finished album in just a few days.
We will absolutely be working with Cat again for any future photo needs, and cannot recommend her enough to all our friends & family! Thank you so much for capturing our special day, Cat!
Morning Calm, a First Look, and a London Wander
The day began at their home in Islington, where they got ready together in that quiet, anticipatory bubble that only a wedding morning creates. Once they were dressed, they shared a private first look, no audience, no fuss, just the two of them taking a moment before stepping out into the city.
From there, we wandered through Central London for portraits, stopping at places that are part of their everyday love story: Ted’s barber, their jeweller, a favourite street. And then came one of my favourite wedding moments of all time…
We went to Tesco.
Not just any Tesco visit, but a direct stop at the reduced aisle, which featured in their vows and is something they adore doing together. It was playful and completely them. We photographed the hunt, the laughter, the expressions over yellow stickers, even a CCTV moment. Hillariously Ted even found a good bargain that he bought! That whimsical slice-of-life storytelling is why I adore documentary style wedding photography, these are real memories and real stories of true love, not staged traditions for the sake of it.
Private Vows by the Canal
Before heading to the ceremony, Ted and Crystal crossed the canal to read their vows in private. I photographed from a distance, giving them space while still capturing the moment. The October sun broke through just in time, lighting up the burnt orange leaves, trailing ivy and the pumpkins dotted nearby. A proper Autumn love scene. Obsessed.
It was intimate & so special.
Room 99 at Islington Town Hall
We then walked back to gather with family and made our way to Islington Town Hall a venue I love returning to as an Islington wedding photographer. The building is grand, elegant and filled with soft, flattering light. There are so many corners to shoot in, from the marble steps to those beautiful obscured glass windows.
Ted and Crystal chose Room 99 for their ceremony a meaningful decision for the family. In Chinese culture, 99 symbolises “forever”, and with their Chinese heritage, the choice made the moment even more special. Only ten people were present, including a baby and just their nearest family. The ceremony was heartfelt and emotional with more personal vows. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. (Yes, the registrars cried and I cried too.)
After confetti on the steps, and a few posed family portraits outside (including a fun stop by the iconic Islington fire station), the couple returned home for a quick outfit change before everyone walked together to a local restaurant for dinner. More candids, more laughter, more real moments, exactly how an intimate city wedding should feel.
Why I Love Photographing Central London Weddings
People often ask if the crowds and chaos of London make it difficult to shoot weddings here. I find it inspiring. I love the reflections in shop windows, the mix of old brick and modern architecture, the greenery squeezed into unexpected spaces, the colour, the texture, the life.
Real people sometimes wander into frame, and I don’t see that as a flaw, it’s all a part of the story. You’re getting married in Central London, after all. The city becomes a character in the narrative.
Weddings with Personality
Ted and Crystal’s day is proof that weddings don’t have to follow tradition or performance. They don’t need to be big to be meaningful. You can build your celebration around the things you actually do and love, whether that’s a canal walk, a small ceremony, or hunting for reduced yellow stickers on your wedding day.
Your wedding should feel like you.
Planning an Intimate Central London Wedding?
If you’re getting married at Islington Town Hall or anywhere in the city and you’re looking for a Central London wedding photographer who loves storytelling, real moments and personality-filled days, I’d love to photograph it for you.
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