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Atlanta-based couple Erica and Jacob first met as toddlers in daycare and reconnected years later through a dating app. After a small legal ceremony in Georgia, they chose to travel to London for their first time and elope at The Old Marylebone Town Hall in London, surrounded by a small group of their closest family and friends.
Why Did the Couple Choose The Old Marylebone Town Hall for Their European Wedding?
Erica & Jacob: It was actually a “spur of the moment” decision! We got engaged in January of 2025, and as of mid-April, we hadn’t planned anything for the wedding. Two of our closest friends moved to London in February 2025, and we wanted to go visit them this summer. So we planned a trip in June 2025 to visit them and to celebrate my (Erica) birthday. One day, I had a random thought about how cool and pretty it would be to have our wedding ceremony while we were in London. Though I’d never been to London or even Europe for that matter, I’ve always loved the classic and romantic vibes of London and have always heard great things about the city. At first, I thought it would just be Jacob and I and of course our friends that live there. However, both of our families immediately said they wanted to be there, so I jumped into planning mode!
I was getting to the point that even thinking about planning a big wedding in the States was daunting. And it made it easy to wrap the honeymoon in directly after.
As someone who always dreamt of a big wedding on a beach somewhere in the US, I have ZERO regrets about planning this last-minute, intimate ceremony with just close family and friends in London. It was nothing short of magical. From the venue, to our incredible vendors, and everything in between.
What Makes This Wedding Venue in London Special for Destination Weddings?
Erica & Jacob: Because it was beautiful, to start. And central. However, because I was planning this with only 2 months until the date, I thought this made the most sense because they do a TON of weddings at The Olde Marylebone Hotel every day. The A Day to Remember London website made it super easy for me.
Can You Get Legally Married in London?
Yes, you can, but Erica & Jacob decided to get the legalities taken care of in the US and have a symbolic ceremony in London.
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of the UK into Their Wedding?
Erica & Jacob: Yes! We did a ring warming ceremony which I absolutely loved!
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in London During the Month of June?
Erica & Jacob: Absolutely recommend it! It was record-breaking temperatures for London, but we had great weather nonetheless.
Raquel Rose, the photographer: The best times of year for a wedding or elopement at The Old Marylebone Town Hall are spring and autumn — the weather is usually mild, the light is beautiful, and it’s generally less busy compared to peak summer.
Winter weddings, especially around Christmas, also have such a magical atmosphere. The festive decorations, twinkling lights, and cozy seasonal feel create a really special vibe — and if you love flash photography, December is your month!
What Are the Best Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in London?
Erica & Jacob: I actually found it extremely easy to plan. I planned everything in less than 2 weeks! I went off of the A Day to Remember London website to find the venue and all of our vendors. Except the flowers… I just googled local flower shops in the area. I also relied on my friends who live there. My advice would be to read blogs and use Google to your advantage and to read and pay attention to the reviews of the venues and vendors. Oh- and find a hair/makeup artist that can come to you at your hotel!
Raquel Rose, the photographer: I would recommend booking early, as The Old Marylebone Town Hall is an incredibly popular wedding venue. All of the rooms are beautiful, but each one has its own character and capacity, so choose wisely depending on the atmosphere you’d like.
When it comes to photos, prioritise the moments you want captured inside the Town Hall, as time can sometimes be limited before the next wedding begins. Be sure to arrive on time — the schedule runs very efficiently with many weddings taking place each day.
For a truly memorable confetti moment, I highly recommend confetti cannons for that big, joyful “confetti explosion.” Just make sure they’re biodegradable to keep everything eco-friendly.
Most importantly, relax and enjoy! The staff and celebrants at The Old Marylebone Town Hall are wonderful — professional, supportive, and genuinely kind. They’ll guide you through every step so you can fully immerse yourself in the joy of your day.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Wedding at The Old Marylebone Town Hall in London?
Erica & Jacob: I had my mom, sister, niece, and friend come to my hotel room to get ready with me so I still had the experience that I would typically have with my family and bridesmaids in the States had I planned a traditional wedding. Jacob and I still had our first look, my dad walked me down the aisle, and we wrote and read our own vows. We are both super close with our families, so having them there was intimate and to me, very personal.
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Wedding in London, and How Did They Overcome Them?
Erica & Jacob: Only 1 hiccup! Jacob’s sister, brother-in-law, and niece surprised us in London the night before… so we couldn’t do the ceremony in the room I originally chose at the Marylebone Town Hall. We had too many people. However, it wasn’t a big deal, and it was still perfect.
What Advice Would You Give to Others Planning a Wedding in London?
Erica & Jacob: The traffic in London is pretty bad, so I would just make sure to choose your hotel, venue and reception (if having one) in the same area/neighborhood so it’s easy to walk or grab a quick cab. And use Secret Spa for hair and makeup! Having the artist come to my hotel room was a game changer.
Raquel Rose, the photographer: My biggest piece of advice for planning a wedding or elopement at The Old Marylebone Town Hall is to embrace the flow of the day and keep things simple. The venue is so iconic and elegant that it doesn’t take much to make your wedding feel special.
The area around the Town Hall is also beautiful, with charming streets, lovely restaurants, and plenty of spots perfect for couple photography. To make the most of your experience, be sure to book a photographer who is familiar with the area — they’ll know the best locations, angles, and timing to capture your day beautifully.
What Made the Old Marylebone Town Hall Perfect for a Small, Intimate Wedding?
Erica & Jacob: It’s central to London and they have several options of rooms to have the ceremony, depending on the size of your party. Anywhere from 2 to 100 people. They also provide flowers in each room and it has a lot of places for photo opps either inside the venue or just outside.
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Wedding?
Erica & Jacob: This is hard… reading our vows for sure. Jacob’s were SO good! Mine were too, of course, ha! But they were both so real and raw… both sweet and funny… there wasn’t a dry eye in the room! I also really loved the ring warming ceremony and the entire meaning behind it. I loved riding in the traditional cab to and from the venue with my now husband and our photographer and videographer. And of course having my amazing father walk me down the aisle.
Why Is The Old Marylebone Town Hall One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Erica & Jacob: It is STUNNING! The Town Halls are nothing like they are in the US. Marylebone is the cutest neighborhood with so much to offer for cafes, bars, restaurants, shopping, parks, etc. There are endless photo opportunities, too! Also, it’s super easy to travel to other destinations in Europe either by train or plane.
Raquel Rose, the photographer: London is home to me, and one of the things I love most about photographing weddings and elopements here is the incredible diversity. Every celebration brings together different nationalities, cultures, backgrounds, and religions — no two weddings are ever the same, and that uniqueness is what makes London so special.
The Old Marylebone Town Hall, where Erica and Jacob held their ceremony, is a place particularly close to my heart. It’s not far from where I live, and I’m fortunate to work there often. The building itself is truly impressive, with its beautiful architecture and rich history. Over the years, it has hosted countless weddings, including those of well-known celebrities and politicians, making it without a doubt one of the most iconic town halls in the UK.
