Registry office wedding venues have come a long way! Getting married in a registry office is a seriously chic way to celebrate your love. Many registry offices and town halls across the UK are beautiful, character-filled spaces - ranging from grand, historic buildings to modern, light-filled spaces designed for intimate and meaningful ceremonies.
This section of Bridebook is designed to help you to discover the best registry offices in the UK, whether you’re after a simple civil ceremony at your local register office, a micro-wedding, or a registry office ceremony to legalise your marriage, followed by another celebration or reception elsewhere.
Registry office weddings can suit a wide range of wedding styles - whether you want a cool, laidback wedding ceremony, or something grand in a historically significant building. Bridebook makes it super easy to explore and compare beautiful registry offices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so you can drill down into the locations that matter the most to you.
Registry office weddings are rising in popularity, with more than 1 in 10 (12%) of couples opting to get married in a registry office, according to Bridebook’s UK Wedding Report. It allows couples to focus on what really matters - the wedding ceremony itself.
Registry office weddings are ideal if you’re looking for:
- A beautiful but understated setting
- An intimate atmosphere with just close friends and family
- A more budget-conscious way to get married
- Flexibility to pair your wedding ceremony with a different reception venue
- A simpler, less traditional approach to your wedding
From elegant town halls to historic civic buildings, the UK is home to some of the prettiest registry offices for weddings - many offering stunning architecture, period details and excellent photo opportunities (the ubiquitous shot of the newlyweds descending the town hall steps in a haze of confetti, anyone?).
Not all registry offices are the same. When comparing options for your wedding, it’s worth paying attention to a few key details that can make a big difference to how your day feels.
Consider the following when looking for a registry office to get married in:
Ceremony space & layout
Look at the size and layout of the wedding ceremony room, including how many guests can be seated, as well as where the entrance and exit are. Some registry offices have multiple different spaces for weddings, with differing styles and capacities.
Architecture & interiors
There are so many beautiful registry offices within historic town halls or civil buildings, with gorgeous features like high ceilings, large windows and original panelling that can really elevate your experience. You might not be able to decorate your ceremony at a registry office, so ask about that when you are enquiring.
Natural light & photography
Check how much natural light your registry office wedding venue gets, and ask about popular areas around the building for wedding photos. The steps, interior halls, gardens and the façade of the building can all make for amazing backdrops for your wedding photos.
Accessibility & facilities
Think about yours and your guests’ needs when it comes to choosing a registry office to get married in. Check for step-free access, lifts, toilets and waiting areas to ensure all your guests will be comfortable at your wedding.
Location & flow of the day
Think about how close your chosen registry office venue is to where you’ll celebrate afterwards, and how you and your guests will get there. Many couples choose to follow their registry office wedding ceremony with a pub wedding reception, or a meal at a restaurant.
Before you book a registry office wedding, make sure you’re clear on:
- Guest capacity limits - registry offices often have strict limits
- Booking windows and notice periods - which can vary by council
- Council rules and flexibility - especially with regards to timings and music
- Photography permissions - especially during the ceremony itself
- Popularity and demand - the most beautiful registry offices book up quickly
Don’t make these mistakes when it comes to your register office wedding:
- Assuming all registry offices work in the same way
- Forgetting to check photography rules in advance
- Leaving booking too late - especially for peak wedding season
- Overlooking guest number limits
- Not planning how to move to your post-wedding ceremony celebration
- Not checking rules around music and readings
- Assuming you can bring your own decorations
One of the biggest advantages of registry office weddings - aside from how effortlessly cool they are - is that they are often more affordable, without having to sacrifice on style.
We’ve included some benchmark registry office wedding costs, but be sure to check with your local registry office as prices can vary.
- Basic ceremony fees: £50 - £300
- Premium rooms or upgraded spaces: £300 - £800
- Additional registrar or out of hours fees may apply
- Day and time of your ceremony (weekends in peak season often cost more)
- Local council pricing structures
- Room size and historic status
- Demand in popular locations (such as London)
- Choose a weekday ceremony
- Keep your guest numbers small
- Pair your ceremony with a separate reception venue
- Avoid peak summer weekends if you can
Once you’ve found inspiration and know what you want, the next step is to choose the right location. Use Bridebook to explore:
- How much a registry office wedding costs
- Registry office wedding ceremony guidance
Shortlist your favourite registry office wedding venues, and compare and enquire with confidence.
Bridebook brings together all kinds of wedding venues, including registry offices across the UK, in one easy-to-use place. You can compare your options clearly, understand key details such as capacity and pricing, and make informed decisions without relying on varying council websites.
- It’s designed specifically for UK wedding planning
- It combines inspiration-led discovery with practical wedding planning details
- There’s support for intimate and non-traditional weddings
- Free tools that help you connect all of your wedding planning, including ceremony and reception details, seamlessly.
Whether you want a low-key and laidback wedding, or something elaborate and elevated, Bridebook will help you find the right registry office for you.
