The historic East London wedding venue filled with character: Introducing Town Hall Hotel

If you haven’t heard of Town Hall Hotel by name, you’ll have seen it - its gorgeous oak-panelled walls and high vaulted windows are the stuff of wedding venue dreams, and it’s situated smack bang in the beating heart of East London. Literally every single step of the wedding process there is incredible; from the stunning bridal suite with its glass-fronted mezzanine to the events team who’ll be working your wedding to the last dance. Tia, their wonderful wedding planner, explains what the Town Hotel difference is:

Tell us a bit about yourself:

From Ireland and a former radio presenter, I got into Wedding planning about 8 years ago in Ireland when a client of the radio station needed help after his wedding planner fell ill. I stepped in temporarily and LOVED it. I eventually decided it was what I wanted to do full time. I have worked in various venues from boutique hotels to Castles and now call Town Hall Hotel home.

Here at the Town Hall Hotel, we take weddings very personally. It is my job to guide couples through the whole wedding process, from first show around to their first anniversary return visit! On wedding day, guests are treated to a day of visiting all the quirky spaces and take in all the wonderful architecture and art so they never feel like they are stuck indoors, thanks in no small part to the fabulous glass domes and huge windows.

Starting in the historic Council Chamber for the ceremony, then on the high ceilinged De Montfort Suite for some bubbles and canapés and maybe a tune or two on our grand piano. Time to visit the oak panelled, art deco Bethnal Hall for dinner and dancing, passing through Lovers Lane, a wonderful and slightly naughty wooden mural!

A wedding day at Town Hall Hotel is always full of fun, love and laughter. No stress or empty glasses are allowed and at midnight, only happy tears and sore feet prevail.

The coolest/best moment of your career so far:

The coolest and best moment of my career so far was when same sex marriage was legalised. Being Irish, I was very proud that Ireland held the referendum on same sex marriage first and then being part of planning their weddings at Town Hall Hotel to make their very special day perfect has been an honour.

Who or what inspires you:

The happy and relieved faces of couples on wedding day when they realise that everything is in hand and going to be wonderful is the best feeling in the World. All the months of planning, buying and checking come together to make wedding day a really special and fun event to be a part of.

What do you love most about your job:

I love the fact that weddings are all about love and celebrating! No matter how hectic the lead up can be, at the end of the day, I am helping plan a huge party for the couples favourite people to come together to eat, drink and be merry and that is always fun!!I have worked in all types of events over the last 10 years and chose weddings as my focus as the main aim of the event is to have the best day of your lives.

What's the most curious thing about your business?

The most curious thing is the day after the wedding! After months or even years of intense planning and daily emails/phone calls, suddenly it is all over and you are saying goodbye in the lobby! Often Couples feel a mixture of elation and a little sadness the morning after as they had the most incredible 24 hours but now it is over. I have often kept in touch with couples or met for a drink when they come back to visit on their anniversary.

What's your top advice for couples getting married:

My best advice is to let every detail go the night before your wedding. You need to trust that everything is being taken care of and your only job is to take it all in and experience the day as a guest, not a host. It will go by so quickly so savour every second.

If you want to meet Tia and team to chat about Town Hall Hotel becoming your wedding venue - eeep! - come and see them at the fair on 1st-3rd March 2019, at the Old Truman Brewery, Shoredtich. Tickets are available now on our shop!