London Town Hall Wedding with Gorgeous Indian attire
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Katherine and Shreyas got to celebrate their wedding twice. Once in India with a destination wedding and then with an intimate celebration in Islington Town Hall in London, followed by a reception in the Coin Laundry.
With guests from all over the world, this turned into a wonderful, international celebration.
Why Did the Couple Choose London for Their European Wedding?
From Katherine, the bride: We wanted to have super local wedding, that represented the life we have made together in London. Shreyas is from Canada and I am from Surrey, we have lived together in Islington for a few years and watched our respective friends get married at this location too. We have often walked past the Town Hall on Saturday morning and seen newly married couples emerge from the entrance and be showered in confetti by their loved ones. It was special for us to reflect our daily lives together, especially for friends and family traveling from abroad for the ceremony.
We chose Coin Laundry as it reflects the vibe of Islington, which we have made our home.
What Makes This Wedding Venue in London Special for Destination Weddings?
The venue (Coin Laundry) was the right size for our guests to feel comfortable but the setting was also cosy and not too formal. The venue has a bar and dance floor downstairs which meant guests could continue chatting and eating upstairs whilst our revellers partied downstairs.
Can You Get Legally Married in London?
Yes, you can. Katherine and Shreyas had a civil ceremony here.
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made (if any) For This Wedding in London?
We used biodegradable confetti, dried flowers, outside the Town Hall.
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of the UK into Their Wedding?
Yes, we had a retro London bus pick us and our guests up from the Town Hall and deliver them ten minutes down the road to the reception pub Coin Laundry. I can’t recommend Coin Laundry enough, the whole team looked after us so well throughout the day, we really felt in safe hands.
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in London in April?
We were very lucky as it was a warm and sunny Spring day. We had golf umbrellas on stand by, just in case.
Beware of changeable London weather, especially in the Spring.
From Lauren, the photographer: I’m partial to spring, which is when this wedding took place. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and spring in the UK is so pleasant, often gracing us with good weather and happy spirits.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in London?
Choose a reception location that reflects your style, we wanted to reflect the cosy atmosphere of the pubs we like in Islington. We wanted it to feel warm, inviting and decked out with a sense of occasion but not too formal. This helped us feel comfortable on the day.
For my husband, the food is fundamental to the celebrations, the Coin Laundry had an excellent menu served family style and they catered to our needs of many vegetarian guests beautifully.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Wedding at the Coin Laundry in London?
Our wonderful friend Lauren gifted her wedding photography services, this really helped us as Lauren’s presence was so comforting. We took photos in our Indian wedding reception outfits in our local park which was a meaningful merging of both events.
The readings at the ceremony reflected our respective Western and Eastern heritages.
We had the most beautiful dusty pink and burnt orange flower arrangements and candles from Pesh flowers. Our guests also received London Brick soap table favours.
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Wedding in London, and How Did They Overcome Them?
Planning a wedding with international guests without a wedding planner is a big administrative task. We used the wedding planning site Hitched to keep track of our invitations and communicate with guests before the event.
What Advice Would the Couple Give to Others Planning a Wedding in london?
Book ahead, London has many venues but you need to book a year in advance. Be organised, do your research and don’t be afraid to delegate.
From Lauren, the photographer: Consider your guest list, as both Islington Town Hall and Coin Laundry are geared for more intimate celebrations rather than large scale weddings. Neither would be optimal for a true elopement (with just the couple), or a larger wedding celebration. Finding the right middle ground for a small scale wedding is key!
I would also say it’s important to find some beautiful nearby photo locations for photos outside of both venues. We chose a local park (which was also close to the couple’s flat), which provided a beautiful and scenic backdrop for their photos.
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Wedding?
Looking out at our guests as we gave speeches, it was wonderful to see this collection of people we have so much love for all under one roof. It was important for us both to express our gratitude to our guests and our families.
Why Is London One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Lots of choice of reception venues and our international guests were able to fly in then use London as a base to explore the UK and Europe.
From Lauren, the photographer: I love that in a city as large and expansive as London, you can still host a cozy and intimate celebration like this one, with the feeling as though you’re the only ones in the entire city. It’s not a traditional “elopement” location per se (London), but this wedding showcases how you can include elements that make it all feel small and meaningful.
