Registry Office Weddings – What You Need to Know

Registry office weddings have often been thought of as the ‘ugly sister’ to the more traditional church service weddings, however, that is certainly not the case and in this article, we will explain the benefits of a civil ceremony and what you need to do in preparation for your Registry Office wedding.

Why Choose a Registry Office Wedding?

Contrary to belief, there isn’t a huge difference in costs, although it depends on your location and personal choice as costs do vary, the average price for a church wedding is £500.00 and for a registry office, about half that amount.

Registry office wedding ceremonies take place at specific times throughout the week, a standard ceremony on a Tuesday morning would be significantly cheaper than an enhanced ceremony on a Saturday afternoon. Prices will vary depending on your local council fees.

Estimated Registry Office Fees

● It costs £35 per person to give notice to marry, and it will cost more if your case is referred to the Home Office for additional checks.
● Room hire for a standard ceremony starts at £57.
● Room hire for an enhanced ceremony starts at around £127.
● A marriage certificate costs around £10, but some venues include this in the hire fee.

The cost to have a registrar attend your ceremony at a licenced venue would start at around £350. You would also have to pay for the venue hire and decor, so you can see that a registry office wedding offers significant savings.

How to Plan a Registry Office Wedding

There are two steps to securing your date at the registry office.

Firstly, you must give notice and attend an appointment to confirm your identity.

Giving notice to marry

This can be done no sooner than 29 days before your wedding. Your notice to marry lasts one year, so you’ll have plenty of time to book your venue. Once you give notice, you’ll be invited to attend an appointment. You’ll have to bring documentation to prove your name, age, nationality and address.

Secondly, you must book your registry office date.

Book the Registry Office

Next, you can book your date and pay your fees. Most registry offices will allow you to provisionally book your date when you give notice to make things easier.

DID YOU KNOW?  – Although you do have to give notice at the registry office closest to you, you don’t have to choose this as your wedding venue. You are free to pick any registry office in the country!

Choose Your Ceremony Type

You can choose between a standard or enhanced ceremony. A standard ceremony is shorter, doesn’t include any special readings or music, and you can only have two witnesses with you. An enhanced ceremony is customisable and you can invite guests, up to the venue capacity. Neither ceremony can include religious phrases or music.

How Long do Registry Office Weddings Last?

This all varies depending on the registry office you choose. Most will ask you to arrive around 15-30 minutes before. A standard ceremony would last between 15-30 minutes. Both couples are interviewed individually before the ceremony, and this usually lasts around 5 minutes.

Most registry offices run very tight schedules, so being late for your ceremony could mean you have to reschedule.

What Happens During a Registry Office Wedding?

The superintendent will make a short statement about marriage. Next, you will both repeat a set of vows. Rings aren’t required, but you are able to exchange them if you want. After the ceremony, you will both sign the marriage register. Your witnesses will then sign the register. And then it’s time to celebrate and honeymoon!

Common Questions About Registry Office Weddings

Now you know what’s involved with the ceremony and what you can expect. But we’re sure you still have a million questions you need to know the answers to. Here are some of the most common questions about registry office weddings.

What Should I Wear for a Registry Office Wedding?

You can wear whatever you like for a registry office wedding. Just like a wedding at any other venue, you are free to wear a suit, wedding dress, or whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.

A registry office wedding doesn’t have to be toned down if you don’t want it to be. You can be as extravagant as you like, or keep things low key and simple. Most registry office venues are arranged with an aisle down the middle, so you can make a grand entrance in a princess ballgown if you like.

Since many registry offices are in city centre town halls, this is the perfect opportunity to choose non-traditional wedding attire. A midi-length wedding dress is perfect if you want to show off some killer heels.

Need help choosing the perfect registry office wedding dress? We stock a wide range of styles for every bride, including plus size wedding dresses that will make you look and feel beautiful.

Can we Serve Alcohol After the Ceremony?

Sadly, no. Most registry offices do not allow any catering and they do not have an alcohol license, so you’ll have to wait until your wedding breakfast or reception to toast.

Can we Throw Confetti After the Ceremony?

Every registry office will have its own rules about confetti. Most will be happy for you to do this, provided you choose biodegradable confetti that won’t harm the environment or wildlife. Most won’t allow confetti inside as they will have back-to-back ceremonies scheduled.

Can we Bring our Pet to the Ceremony?

If you’re hoping to have your dog at your ceremony, you’ll need to check the rules of the registry office in advance. Some venues are pet friendly, but others will only allow service animals.

Where Can we Take our Wedding Photos?

Many registry offices are housed in grand town halls, which makes it the ideal spot for your wedding photos. It’s a good idea to work with your wedding photographer beforehand to find some locations you’d like to use so you can feel more organised on the day.

Where are the best registry offices in the UK?

It would be fair to say that some registry offices are more photogenic than others. Here are a few of our favourite spots for couples to tie the knot:
● Civil Hall, Leeds
● Hackney Town Hall, London
● Islington Town Hall, London
● Coventry Register Office
● St George’s Hall, Liverpool
● City Chambers, Edinburgh

Nicky (boutique owner) and close friend Jess have vast experience in helping brides choose their perfect wedding dress, they love what they do, meeting brides and helping them choose the most important dress they will ever wear, they find their work (if they can call it that!) so rewarding and so much fun. Give us a call today!