Hackney Town Hall Atria and Assembly Halls for a fun laid back wedding with traditional Turkish music and dancing!

This awesome wedding was one of my absolute faves from 2018! I was so excited when Omi & Shen got in contact with me last June with their plans for their British Turkish wedding with lots of good food, drinking and plenty of ‘booty shaking’, all of my favourite things! I’d known Omi for a few years through a mutual friend, so I was over the moon when her and Shen chose me to photograph their sunny October wedding.

Getting ready

Omi chose to get ready at her mums home, and it was a super busy morning and a very full house, with her mum, sister, aunties, grandad and bridesmaids all getting ready there too. It was an extra special morning as one of her bridesmaids was also celebrating her birthday, so they started the morning by giving her a few gifts. A bottle of bubbly was popped while Omi had her hair and make-up done professionally before her mum helped her into her gorgeous open back lace dress. Her bridesmaids chose dresses in styles that suited them best but all sticking to the same autumnal shade of red. I’m a huge fan of mismatched bridesmaids wearing different styles and putting a bit of individuality into their outfits! Omi was going to keep it simple and catch an uber to Hackney town hall, but her bridesmaids had other plans and surprised her by getting a friend to take her there in style.

The Ceremony

I’ve shot wedding ceremonies at Hackney Town Hall a few times before and I’ve always had a little peak into the beautiful light filled Atria and hoped that I’d get a chance to shoot a wedding in there one day. So you can only imagine how excited I was when I found out that Omi & Shen were going to be the first ever couple to get married in the newly restored space. With its super high ceiling and bare brick walls, it’s the perfect backdrop for a city centre wedding.

Omi was walked down the aisle by her grandad, to meet a very emotional Shen, for their short but sweet ceremony. After they said their ‘I do’s’ we stayed behind for a few relaxed couples portraits in front of the Atrias massive metal wall, before the happy couple joined their family and friends outside to get showered in a ridiculous amount of confetti!

The Reception

After a few group photos we all moved into the lovely art deco Assembly Rooms In the town hall for bubbles and canapes and the chance for Omi and Shen to spend some quality time with their family and friends. A super laid back afternoon with lots of hugs and laughter.

Earlier in the day, I’d spotted a crumbling wall close by that I thought would make the perfect setting for some couples portraits. The golden October light did not disappoint, so I grabbed Omi and Shen for 10 mins away from the busy wedding party and captured them just being themselves in some beautiful light.

The Party!

After the dinner and speeches were over it was time for the party to get started! Omi and Shen had their first dance while Omi’s sister sang beautifully. Then the rest of the guests and a traditional Turkish drummer joined them for a Haylay (circle dancing) to get the dancing off to an incredible start!

Supplier shout out

Venue : Hackney Town Hall Atria & Assembly Hall

Coordinator/Planner: Hannah Sweeney (Hackney Town hall) & Kelly Barnes (Saffron Catering)

Catering: Saffron Catering

Brides Dress: Wed2b

Hair and Make up: Claire Nicole

Flowers: Dennington’s

Cake: Philomena’s Cakes

DJ: Mitch Matthews