Hackney Town Hall

Hackney Town Hall is a 1930s Art Deco civic building on Mare Street in Hackney, east London. Its restored interiors, curved staircase, original chandeliers and sprung dance floor make it a stylish setting for a city wedding. The building is licensed for marriages and civil partnerships, and you can hold the ceremony and the party under one roof.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Hackney Town Hall works for every scale of wedding, from a short ceremony with two witnesses to a large party with the whole Assembly Hall to yourselves. Exclusive hire is available, and you choose your own look within a building full of period glamour. It is a natural fit if you want a proudly urban east London wedding.

Ceremonies

For an intimate ceremony, the Lanchester Suite holds up to 30 people, including your two witnesses and any photographer, with green walls and wood panelling. The Gold Suite is another smaller room for civil ceremonies. Larger ceremonies of up to around 120 guests can take place in the bigger rooms. Weddings and civil partnerships are both offered, and the council registrars conduct the ceremony.

Receptions and food

The Assembly Hall is the main celebration space. Original floor-to-ceiling partitions mean it can be divided into three smaller rooms or opened up for a large party. Catering and bar service come through the venue's preferred suppliers, so you choose a menu with a caterer who knows the building. The sprung dance floor comes into its own once the speeches are done.

Getting there and the area

The town hall sits on Mare Street, a short walk from Hackney Central and Hackney Downs stations, with many bus routes passing nearby. London Fields, Broadway Market and plenty of bars and restaurants are close by for photographs and after-parties. There is no accommodation in the building.

Good to know

• Exclusive hire is available.
• Arrive on time: late guests are not admitted to ceremonies.
• Confetti is not allowed on the steps, but biodegradable confetti is fine at the bottom.