Multicultural weddings in London
I specialise in shooting modern multicultural and mixed culture weddings in London. I am an inclusive wedding photographer who does not discriminate against any faith and I’m respectful and interested in the diverse ways people choose to celebrate their love. However today I am writing about Jewish and Indian weddings because they are the most common weddings I seem to photograph in London. One thing I have noticed over the years from my couples is that it is hard to plan a non-traditional or modern Jewish or Indian wedding in London. This is because their ceremonies and wedding rituals have certain needs that go beyond a registry office wedding.
What do you need for a modern Jewish wedding
Firstly, even non-orthodox Jewish weddings need more space for the ceremony as they will almost always have a chuppah. A lot of wedding ceremony venues have a table at the front for signing a registrar, but this is not needed at a Jewish wedding. They want a large clear area for either a free standing chuppah or for one held by friends and family. The Ketubah signing often happens off to the side or somewhere private. Modern Jewish weddings also need a larger space for the hora and Jewish dancing. Again, many of my non-traditional Jewish couples still go at the traditional Jewish dances with gusto because frankly it’s one of the funnest parts of a Jewish wedding! They need not only a large space for fast circling, but ideally high ceilings so no one bashes their head on the ceiling!
What do you need from a modern Indian wedding venue in London
Very similarly to Jewish weddings (and why I’ve written this venue guide addressing both of these religious/cultural weddings in one go), Indian weddings also require a lot of space and high ceilings. Indian weddings often have a lot of guests, even the “smaller” modern Indian weddings I’ve photographed had around 200 guests, which is double most of my English weddings. The largest Indian wedding I’ve photographed has been around 1000 guests! For this reason most of the larger traditional Indian weddings in London take place in the series of hotels near Heathrow airport- as they’ve got ball rooms that can accommodate everyone. However I’ve been told by some of my modern Indian couples that they want a good excuse to have a more intimate wedding where they know all the guests, and they’ve achieved this by choosing venues with more restrictions! Another thing that Indian weddings often need is the high ceiling for ventilation. This is to accommodate the ceremony fire often used as it can generate a lot of smoke. Not all London venues will allow a small fire, so it’s hard to find somewhere that is happy to allow all the Indian ceremony rituals.
Alternative non-traditional wedding venues for Indian and Jewish weddings
So without further ado, here’s my list of quirky and cool wedding venues in London that could accommodate the needs of Indian and Jewish wedding rituals. Some of the photo examples will contain Jewish and Indian weddings, but some will contain other photos of different cultures and religions that still demonstrate the use of the space. I have included these based on the criteria that they have big open plan halls with tall ceilings. There are plenty of hotel style wedding venues that have these, but this list is for alternative style venues for modern couples.
Trinity Buoy Wharf
Trinity Buoy Wharf is essentially one huge warehouse and can definitely host Indian and Jewish weddings with all the traditions. The surrounding area has a cool and quirky industrial vibe, there’s large outdoor space and multiple options for orientated the ceremony focal point. This means you can choose to have the ceremony by the windows or even in front of the large open double sliding doors. I’ve only photographed a mixed Indian wedding here, not a modern Jewish wedding, but I know it’ll definitely be doable!
Balfour St Barts
Balfour St Barts is not quite a large hall, more of a up market restaurant. However it has a large open plan area with a slightly elevated stage right by the front door and large windows. This spot could work really very for a small fire (ventilation), and the slightly elevated stage makes it easier for guests to see the smashing of the glass. It is also a very high ceiling space so you can easily do Jewish dancing once all the tables are cleared away.
Battersea Arts Centre
Battersea Arts Centre is an ideal spot for London multicultural weddings that require a lot of space. It comprises of multiple large rooms, even the smaller rooms could easily hold a ceremony. However the grand hall is absolutely huge and gorgeous!
Siobhan Davies Studios
This is a large hall dance studio in the Elephant and Castle area that has the perfect height and capacity for Jewish and Indian weddings. It’s an exclusive hire venue where you can hold both ceremony, the dinner and after party. The ceilings have a stunning unique modern look and lots of professional lighting possibilities.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is… well the Natural History Museum! I don’t think you’d be able to have a fire in here (precious things in there obvs!), but it’s got the capacity and ceilings for epic Jewish weddings right in the heart of London. You also can’t get much quirkier and cooler than having your wedding amongst fossils!
The Londoner
The Londoner is technically a hotel but I have included it because it’s SO central in London that it’s worth knowing about. It also is one of the newest Radisson Blu hotels and has very nice cool decor. It has a mix of epic spaces, and your friends can all enjoy a good drink and take the tube home afterwards with no designated driver! If you’re after a Central London big Indian wedding venue that caters for huge numbers then this is as close as it’ll get!
RIBA
This is the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects. It is situated in an undeniably gorgeous 1930’s art deco building. It has multiple large hall spaces and open air balconies.
Royal Horticultural Halls
Similar to RIBA, this building is a space you can hire on the weekends when it’s not being used for the society work. It used to host botanic art exhibitions and now is largely an events and sports hall. I haven’t photographed an Indian wedding here but I have photographed a wonderful alternative Jewish wedding.
Loft Studios
Loft Studios is one of the few London wedding venues where I have experience of BOTH Indian and Jewish weddings. Each of these weddings paid small homage to Indian and Jewish wedding traditions. Between the large photography studio and the outdoor courtyard I know Loft Studios is great at accommodating many needs.
Hackney Assembly Halls
Hackney Assembly Halls are the large art deco hall with an entrance behind the Hackney Town Hall. So it’s sort of part of the Town Hall but technically not! The Hackney Town Hall itself has The Atrium that can hold Jewish ceremonies with the chuppah. In my opinion the Assembly Hall behind has more space. I also suspect it is easier to book for the whole wedding day. The Atrium is often booked for multiple ceremonies per day.
Kew Gardens Conservatory
I haven’t shot either a Jewish or Indian wedding at the Kew Gardens, despite photographing many Kew Gardens weddings. However I know from experience that it would definitely be possible to hold an alternative Indian wedding here. You’d need to book the orangery spaces(rather than the Cambridge Cottage venue which is smaller).
Round Chapel Hackney
The Round Chapel in Hackney is ironically a deconsecrated church hall. However, its unique structure with a horseshoe balcony and two storey floor ceilings makes it a great candidate wedding venue for modern Indian and Jewish weddings. There is even a mid rise stage where you can hold the ceremony. This platform enables a large group of guests to view. There’s also an outdoor courtyard and double doors. These serve as a good location for the Indian welcome games and rituals.
Fun Indian wedding photographer in London
Why am I an ideal wedding photographer for your fun Indian wedding?
I have tons of experience with all the various rituals and customs. This is essential for predicting what comes next and how to position myself for the best shot.
My editing style keeps your true, brilliant colours.
My fast paced documentary approach means I am great at getting stuck in for all the big crowded moments. I’m thinking of the garland exchange and shoe stealing!
Over the years I’ve photographed a range of Indian weddings in London, but also destination Indian weddings in Spain. Even an Indian wedding in India! If having an Indian wedding in Central London doesn’t work for you, you can also try the Home Counties like an Indian wedding at Northbrook Park.
Fun Jewish wedding photographer in London
I’m a wedding photographer who understands Jewish weddings and is able to capture them in an authentic and fun style. Every year I have been fortunate enough to capture multiple Jewish weddings and have a strong word of mouth referral. I do mostly find myself at less orthodox and non-traditional Jewish weddings, but I have photographed in various synagogues too. I have also photographed bohemian Jewish weddings and eclectic fancy dress Jewish weddings, I’d be honoured to be a part of yours.
