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Registry office weddings are a popular option for couples who want a non-religious, budget-friendly, and intimate wedding. The average cost of a registry office wedding in the UK is £1,342, compared to the average overall cost of a wedding in the UK, which is £19,184. To book a registry office wedding, couples must first choose their preferred registry office and confirm a date and time. Next, they must give notice at their local registry office, which involves signing a legal statement of their intention to get married or form a civil partnership. The ceremony itself is legally binding and non-religious, and typically lasts 15 minutes. Couples can personalise their ceremony with readings, songs, and music, as long as they do not include religious content.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ceremony duration | 15 minutes |
| Ceremony type | Non-religious, civil ceremony |
| Participants | Couple, witnesses, registrar |
| Location | Registry office, town hall, or other licensed venue |
| Cost | Varies, starting from £56 in England and Wales |
| Notice fee | £35-£57 per person, varies by location |
| Marriage certificate fee | £4 on the day, £10 afterwards |
| Additional costs | Ceremony room, Saturday appointments, divorce documents, application changes |
| Planning | Choice of days, decorations, music, readings, attire |
| Legal requirements | Age 18+, not closely related, UK citizens or visa holders |
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What You'll Learn
Registry office weddings are non-religious and secular
Registry office weddings are a popular option for couples who want a non-religious, secular, and budget-friendly wedding. They are also a good option for couples who don't want a large or lavish wedding. The cost of hiring a room in a registry office starts from around £57 for a standard ceremony. The main cost involved in choosing to marry at a registry office is the room hire, but there are also fees for giving notice, which is around £35-£50 per person, and the marriage certificate, which costs around £4 on the day or £10 if you arrange to fetch it afterward.
To book a registry office wedding, you first need to choose which office you want to marry at and then contact them to confirm a time and date for your ceremony. Once that's done, you'll need to give notice at your local registry office, which involves signing a legal statement saying you intend to get married or form a civil partnership. This must include details of the final venue for your ceremony, and you must hold your ceremony within 12 months of giving notice.
On your initial visit to the registry office, you will need to bring documentation, including proof of your name, age, and nationality, such as a valid passport, birth certificate, or national identity card. If you've changed your name, you'll need to bring proof of that as well. You'll also need to bring proof of your address, such as a valid UK or EEA driving license or a recent bill.
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They are a budget-friendly option
Registry office weddings are a popular option for couples seeking a non-religious, budget-friendly wedding. The average cost of a registry office wedding in the UK is £1,342, compared to the average overall cost of a wedding in the UK, which is £19,184. This makes it one of the most affordable ways to get married.
The main cost involved in choosing to marry at a registry office is the room hire, which starts from around £57 for a standard ceremony. There is also a fee for giving notice, which is around £35-£50 per person. The notice fee differs throughout the UK, so it is best to check with your chosen office. In England and Wales, the standard fee is £42 per person, while in Northern Ireland, it is £22 per person.
Registry office weddings are a great way to keep your wedding personal and intimate while also cutting costs. They are perfect for couples who are not interested in a large or lavish wedding and would prefer something more relaxed and alternative. You can still make your day unique, personal and creative, with your own wedding music, a personalised wedding registry, and your dream wedding food.
Registry office weddings are also a popular choice for couples getting married abroad. It can be complicated to get legally wed in some countries, so having a registry office wedding in the UK ensures all the legalities are sorted before you jet off.
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You can still personalise the ceremony
Registry office weddings in the UK are a popular option for couples who want a non-religious, budget-friendly, and intimate ceremony. While these weddings are short and simple, there are still many ways to personalise the ceremony and make it unique, memorable, and romantic.
You can include readings, songs, or music that holds a special meaning for you as a couple. These can be performed by a loved one and may include non-religious poems, extracts, or song lyrics. You can also ask a close friend or family member to perform a reading, making the ceremony even more personalised.
Another way to add a personal touch is by choosing your own wedding attire. There are no restrictions on what you can wear, so feel free to express your style and personality. Whether it's an elegant designer gown, a classic suit, or a whimsical blue wedding jumpsuit, the choice is yours!
In addition, you can create a personalised wedding registry and select your dream wedding food. You can also decorate the venue with your own flowers and decorations, as long as they are easy to move and comply with the rules of the registry office.
Lastly, don't forget to add your own unique touches to the ceremony itself. You can discuss any specific wording or vows you would like to include with the person conducting the ceremony, ensuring that your personalities shine through.
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You must give notice at your local registry office
Giving Notice at Your Local Registry Office
To book a wedding registry office, the first step is to contact your chosen registry office and confirm a time and date for your ceremony. This can usually be done online or over the phone. Once that's done, you'll need to give notice at your local registry office. This is a legal requirement in the UK, and the same process must be followed whether you're getting married at a registry office or another registered venue.
Giving notice involves signing a legal statement at your local registry office, declaring your intention to get married or form a civil partnership. This must include details of your chosen venue for the ceremony. You must hold the ceremony within 12 months of giving notice. If you live separately, you'll each need to book your own appointment at your respective local registry offices. However, if one of you is from outside the UK, you must give notice together unless you are both British or Irish citizens, EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status, or have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021.
On your initial visit to the registry office, you'll need to bring documentation, including proof of your name, age, and nationality (e.g., a valid passport, birth certificate, or national identity card). If either of you has changed their name, you'll need to provide proof of this as well. Additionally, you'll need to provide proof of address, such as a valid UK or EEA driving licence or a recent utility bill.
The fee for giving notice varies across the UK. In England and Wales, the standard fee is £42 per person, while it's £22 per person in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the costs differ by city, with Edinburgh charging £100 and Glasgow ranging from £90 to £155. If one of you is from outside the EU/EEA without settled status, the fee is typically higher.
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You can wear whatever you want
One of the best parts about a registry office wedding is that you can wear anything you want! There are no rules when it comes to your wedding attire. Whether you want to go for a traditional elegant designer gown, a classic suit, or something more whimsical like a blue ruffled wedding jumpsuit, the choice is entirely yours. The most important thing is to celebrate your style and personality.
If you're looking to keep things casual and intimate, a registry office wedding is a perfect option. You can still make your day unique, personal, and creative. It's a great way to cut costs without sacrificing the magic and romance of your special day.
Registry office weddings are also ideal if you're planning a destination wedding and want to take care of the legalities beforehand. They offer a relaxed, budget-friendly alternative to traditional venues, allowing you to have a ceremony that truly reflects your style and personality.
To book a registry office wedding, simply contact your chosen office to confirm a time and date. Don't forget to give notice at your local registry office, which involves signing a legal statement of your intention to marry and paying a fee. This is a necessary step whether you're getting married at the same office or a different one.
So, whether you dream of a traditional gown or something more unique, a registry office wedding gives you the freedom to express yourself through your wedding attire.
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Frequently asked questions
A registry office wedding is a non-religious, legally binding marriage performed by a registrar at a British government office.
Anyone can be married in a registry office in the UK, providing they are of legal age (18 or older) and are not already married or closely related to each other.
The cost of a registry office wedding in the UK starts at £56 for a basic ceremony, but there are additional fees for giving notice, room hire, and obtaining a marriage certificate. The average cost of a registry office wedding is £1,342.
First, contact your chosen registry office to confirm a time and date for your ceremony. Then, give notice at your local registry office by signing a legal statement of your intention to marry. You must hold your ceremony within 12 months of giving notice.
The ceremony usually lasts around 15 minutes and includes an interview, identity check, and completion of forms. You can include readings, songs, or music, but they must not be religious. You must exchange vows if you are getting married.
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