London Winter Wedding Photos by Diana V Photography

Beate and Alistair’s December wedding at the Old Marylebone Town Hall was intimate and cosy. They had 6 guests with them in the Paddington Room, and their ceremony was booked for 3pm in the afternoon, just as the light was starting to fade. The room looked lovely with its warm lighting and warm feel.

Light is always something to consider when you are planning a winter wedding, as the daylight hours are so limited. Beate and Alistair wanted to embrace the dark and get some lovely photos with the Christmas lights in the streets of London. I really love the Christmassy vibe, so I was very happy to go along with that. I did a little recce a couple of weeks before their wedding to pick some good spots. Despite a few spots of drizzle it was an absolutely magical late afternoon among the Christmas lights.

Planning a winter wedding: thinking about the light

If you’re planning a winter wedding in London, light is an important factor to remember. In December the sun sets at around 3:50pm, so daylight is short. The light can fade much earlier than that on an overcast day. Some couples book a morning or lunchtime ceremony to make the most of daylight. Beate and Alistair did the opposite and decided to embrace the dark, which I loved. They wanted their couple photos among the Christmas lights, and I was very happy to go along with that.

The Paddington Room in winter

The Paddington Room is a lovely space for a small winter ceremony. The beautiful wood paneling makes it feel warm and cosy and the light is very pretty. The town hall changes their floral arrangements through the seasons and the fireplace is always decorated with a beautiful seasonal display.

Wedding guests chatting in Paddington Room at Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride and groom entering Paddington Room for the winter wedding ceremony

Bride and groom standing in Paddington Room at OMTH

Bride and groom exchanging rings during winter wedding ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall

Bubble confetti on steps at Old Marylebone Town Hall on a winter's afternoon

Group wedding photo with family on steps outside town hall

Sparkler photo with newlywed couples and wedding guests in wintery London

Confetti photos in winter

We left the town hall around 3:30pm and there was still a little bit of light left. We had planned for this and Beate and Alistair had two options ready: soap bubbles and sparklers. As there was still just about sufficient light left, we ended up doing both! It’s always a good idea to think about different options beforehand and be prepared. I always chat with my couples about these little details before the day too.

Couple portraits among the London Christmas lights

A couple of weeks before the wedding I went on a little recce around the area to find the best spots for photos once it was dark. I like to always chose and research the area that I take me couples to for their portraits to make sure it all looks great and we make the most of our time together

It drizzled a little on Beate and Alistair’s day , as it often does in December, but it didn’t dampen anything. A bit of rain makes the lights sparkle even more. I definitely recommend bringing a coat and umbrella. You can leave them with my camera bag while we take photos.

Newlywed couple walking on London street with Christmas tree and lights

Bride and groom standing by shop with pretty Christmas lights in December

Newlywed couple portrait with Christmas lights in London

Black and white Bride and Groom portrait on Marylebone High Street in Winter

Newlywed couple sheltering from rain outside London shop on their winter wedding day

Close up portrait of bride and groom with colourful Christmas lights in London

Newlywed couple walking down London street with Christmas lights

Bride and groom showing their wedding rings in front of Christmas tree

Newlyweds standing in front of colour food stall at Christmas market in London

Tips for planning a winter wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall (or anywhere in London)

Choose your ceremony time with the light in mind. A late morning or early afternoon ceremony gives you daylight for family and couple photos. A later one, like Beate and Alistair’s, is perfect if you’d like twilight and sparkly lights (best around Christmas time).
Dress for the weather. Bring a coat - either one you are happy to have in some of your photos, or any coat - you can take it on and off in between photos. If you have very delicate wedding shoes, you might also want to bring a pair of trainers to change into if it’s wet for walking around in between locations.
Bring an umbrella. This is quite true for a London wedding at any time of the year! White or clear umbrellas work best for photos.

Frequently asked questions

Is Old Marylebone Town Hall a good venue for a winter wedding?
Yes. All the rooms at the town hall are beautifully decorated for the season and especially the smaller ones have a wonderful intimate feel. Being in central London means you’re really close to some great options for couple photo locations and Christmas lights.

Can you photograph couples in the dark?
Absolutely. As you can see with Beate and Alistair’s wedding photos it’s not a problem. I have photographed many weddings and low light and look out for ideal lighting conditions at your locations. I also carry flash and a small LED light in case we need it.

Do you photograph winter weddings at other London venues?
Yes, I photograph weddings and elopements all over London. You can see more in my Christmas wedding at Islington Town Hall and my other recent weddings.

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