My Guide To Getting Married in Waltham Forest – Walthamstow, Leyton & Chingford
So I’ve lived in Walthamstow a while now & I often get asked about the best venues, where to go for photos, how the logistics of the day might unfold & more.
I’ve been lucky to get to take photos at pretty much every venue across the borough of Waltham Forest, East London – I figured I’d write it all down & talk you through it
Hopefully this will help you find the right venue for you – whatever kind of wedding you are planning.
Fellowship Square
Ok so I guess the place to start is our beautiful art deco Town Hall in all its splendour – there are several rooms inside for your ceremony depending on how many guests you have at your wedding.
The best thing about getting married at the town hall are the photo ops available after – the square has lots of places for group photos, couple pics & everything else.
Lloyd Park
Just down the road from Fellowship Square is Lloyd Park, which again has lots of great photo locations – I often go here after the town hall or if the wedding venue doesn’t have space for photos. As local parks go Lloyd Park is as good as it gets.
Walthamstow Wetlands
The Wetlands doubles up as both a wedding venue & a photo location – if you’re getting marred elsewhere we can stop there or Leyton Marshes for photos – but it’s also a great venue with a ceremony room, reception area & dance floor.
St. James Park
If you’re getting married on the other side of Walthamstow near the Pumphouse Museum you have St. James Park which again gets the job done as far as couple photos goes.
William Morris Gallery
If you’re looking for something with some history, the William Morris Gallery is a beautiful wedding venue & it’s also located right in Lloyd Park
God’s Own Junkyard
Neon sign heaven & possibly the most striking wedding venue in Walthamstow – memorable photo ops once you’re inside & something to tell people about for years to come.
Queen’s Hunting Lodge
If you’re planning a wedding in Chingford, the Queens Hunting Lodge is another historic venue on the edge of Epping Forest. Again every photo location you might need is covered here – some people haven’t come across this place but it’s worth looking up.
Leyton Orient FC
I recently got to shoot my first wedding here & we got to go down onto the pitch, in the dugout & sit in the stands. The conference suites are a couple of floors up & run the length of the pitch – you can have the ceremony on one floor & the reception on another & it works really well.
Coronation Gardens
Located right next door to the football ground, Coronation Gardens is a handy public park for photos – great for groups and/or couple photos.
Orford House
If you’re looking for a more DIY option – on the edge of Walthamstow Village, Orford House is a private club that you can hire for your wedding – it has an indoor ceremony/reception room & outside space.
The Hub
Another to look at if you want to customise your wedding venue a little is The Hub, also located in Walthamstow Village. It’s a large community centre with kitchens ideal for arranging your own catering.
Pubs
If you’re looking to hire a pub or part of for your wedding reception, there are a number in Waltham Forest which offer this – The Village & Eat 17 on Orford Road & the Coach & Horses in Leyton are a couple I have been to over the years.
Signature Brew
If you’re looking for an evening reception venue this place is near Blackhorse Road & the Brewery Mile – a unique setting & a definite conversation starter.
Photo Ops - So where are the best places for wedding photos in Walthamstow, Leyton, Chingford & Waltham Forest?
Walthamstow Village is one of my favourites – we can take a 10 minute walk up Orford Road & through the Village stopping off along the way. There is a myriad of places along the way to stop for photos & it’s fun interacting with locals as we walk around.
One place I love but hardly ever get to stop at is the iconic Walthamstow Dog Track art deco sign, it photographs brilliantly & looks amazing in your photos.
Another I like is this very bright & colourful building in Leyton – it’s located on Leyton High Road & makes for a great stop off if you’re getting married in Leyton or nearby.
Another I don’t often get the chance to do is go inside a tube or train station – you get unique photos no one else will have & the staff won’t bat an eyelid. What’s not to like?
Pole Hill in Chingford is another handy place to take wedding photos, lots of backdrops & usually pretty quiet.
