Another awesome ceremony at the Town Hall (basically my second home!), followed by a wander through London Fields, and their super cool, exclusive reception. With disco balls, a room full of plants and some of the best wedding food I’ve ever eaten, Jess and Dave’s wedding at The Hackney was an East London classic, and honestly, I’m still thinking about those lobster rolls.

Getting ready in Hackney

The day started at an Airbnb in Hackney with Jess, before meeting Dave and the boys outside the Town Hall. It was bright and sunny day, and everyone was in good spirits as they finalised the placement of their buttonholes and made sure guests found their seats. 

The styling was gorgeous. The boys wore natural linen suits with buttonholes of vibrant tulips, sweet peas and foliage. The bride squad wore satin dresses in different pastel shades, which looked brilliant together. It was elegant and understated, with just the right pop of fresh colour from the florals.

A Committee Room ceremony

Jess and Dave got married in the Committee Room. It has wood-panelled walls and high ceilings, a simple but iconic setting. I’ve photographed loads of weddings at Hackney Town Hall over the years, I’m wondering if I should just move in! The variety of spaces for ceremonies means there’s an option for every type and size of wedding, and the committee room was perfectly proportioned for Jess and Dave’s intimate ceremony.

Afterwards, the guests gathered on the stairs for confetti. We grabbed a few photos with Jess and Dave indoors first, then they got absolutely showered. Top tip: do your confetti at the town hall, because The Hackney is a confetti-free venue. More on that in the FAQs later.

Wandering through London Fields

Then we took the scenic route to their reception and walked down through London Fields to the overground, grabbing some snaps of Jess, Dave and their bride and groom squad along the way. This is exactly how I like doing portraits, by combining documentary and street photography influences to capture the movement and setting, with some London icons making guest appearances.

I joke about it, but I’ve photographed so many buses, trains and cabs at this point that I might as well be an advert for TfL. 

The Hackney wedding photography

After a good wander, we arrived at The Hackney, a converted Victorian brewery dating back to 1856, with exposed brick and original timber beams. It’s a small, exclusive-hire venue, so your crowd gets the whole place to themselves, and it’s VERY much my vibe. East London is where I spent a lot of my twenties and early thirties, so walking in felt like a little nostalgia trip.

The main room is industrial chic at its best, it was decorated with loads of disco balls, hanging lightbulbs and foliage everywhere. Jess and Dave had their own personalised banner and tonnes of colourful flowers. The conservatory has big windows and loads of industrial features inside and out, plus there’s a really nice courtyard too.

Emotional speeches and incredible food

The speeches got a whole range of emotional reactions, with lots of laughs (Dave ended up with a toy snake around his neck at one point in reference to a time he was bitten on the forehead by one apparently), and a few teary-eyed moments followed by big hugs. There was a whole lot of love in that room.

Speaking of love… the food. Oh, the food. I had a lobster roll, a hot dog and something else with avocado, and it was all AMAZING. I’m genuinely still thinking about it. Food is definitely one of the many perks of this job!

Plants. So many plants

In our chats before the wedding, Dave and I bonded over our mutual plant obsession, which was something that would feature in their wedding photography at The Hackney. Jess even has a monstera leaf tattoo! The reception space at The Hackney is part-conservatory filled with the most amazing plants, there’s hanging greenery and monsteras everywhere. It’s a tropical paradise. 

Chilled and fun wedding at the Hackney

There were fun touches and playful, personal details in the décor, and the whole place had a laid-back vibe. The service was great, and you can easily see how the space could be adapted for loads of different styles of wedding. Jess and Dave’s crowd were there for a good time and a good party, and they certainly delivered.

Supplier shout outs

Venue: The Hackney
Florist: Bluebella Blooms
Dress designer: Jenny Yoo NYC
Hair and Make up: Charlotte Louise Bridal
Entertainment: DJ Mitch Matthews

The Hackney wedding FAQs

Where is The Hackney wedding venue?

The Hackney is at 503 Hackney Road, London E2 9ED. Cambridge Heath Overground is about a one-minute walk away, and Bethnal Green tube (Central line) is five to seven minutes on foot.

What is The Hackney?

It’s a converted 1856 Victorian brewery with exposed brick and original timber beams. It runs as a café and bar day to day and is hired exclusively for weddings and events. You might also see it called The Hackney Co.

How many guests can The Hackney hold for a wedding?

Up to 60 seated for dinner and up to 100 for a standing reception.

Can you legally get married at The Hackney?

No. The Hackney isn’t licensed for legal weddings, but you can have a celebratory ceremony there, like a humanist celebration, personal vows or a blessing. Most couples do the legal ceremony first at a register office. The Town Hall is about seven minutes away, which is exactly what Jess and Dave did.

Can you have confetti at The Hackney?

No, it’s a confetti-free venue. Do your confetti moment at the town hall instead. Jess and Dave’s guests showered them on the stairs at Hackney Town Hall.

Is the food and drink at The Hackney in-house?

Yes. Catering, the bar, florals and coordination are all in-house. You can bring your own photographer (hi!), music, cake, and hair and makeup. And trust me, the food is incredible!

Can you have a band or DJ at The Hackney?

Yes. DJs and playlists are welcome through the built-in sound system. Live bands are limited to acoustic groups of up to a quartet, finishing by 10pm, because of noise restrictions.

How much does a wedding at The Hackney cost?

It’s best to check The Hackney’s website for current pricing; they offer different packages and rates depending on your plans and dates.

Is The Hackney good for wedding photography?

Absolutely. The industrial features, the décor, and the awesome plants give you loads of variety in one small space. If possible, I would always recommend a little wander for some relaxed street-style portraits between the ceremony and the reception.

Let’s chat

Planning a wedding at The Hackney, or anywhere else in London, Hertfordshire, or even a destination wedding? If you want colourful, relaxed photos with a mix of street-inspired and documentary photography, get in touch for a chat!