How to Plan Town Hall Registry Office Wedding

How to Plan Town Hall Registry Office Wedding


PLANNING YOUR  BIRKENHEAD TOWN HALL
REGISTRY OFFICE WEDDING

 

Registry Office wedding at Birkenhead Town Hall

 

We are often asked to cover intimate ceremonies at local Wirral Registry Office weddings
and our brides have lots of questions about them.

This blog post aims to help with planning your local  Town Hall registry wedding, all the ins, and outs of the process plus locations for photos and nearby receptions afterward.
Registry offices in the UK are used to declare a birth, death, marriage, or civil partnership – and, most importantly for our purposes, they’re used for wedding ceremonies, too!

 

Reasons to Choose A Wirral Registry Office Wedding 

Currently, Wirral  Registry Office weddings are popular as are one of the few allowed to take place. Some people just don’t want to wait any longer – it’s been a torrid time for the wedding industry – couples and suppliers
However, there are many other reasons why couples normally choose to marry at a Town Hall Registry office.

Does the thought of a large wedding feel  just  be too daunting and  overwhelming ?- you just want to slip away with your nearest and dearest – or even just the two of you and witnesses

You are not religious and just want something easy and simple So if a religious ceremony or a large wedding is not your forte consider the registry office wedding option.
They can be a lovely and understated alternative to the traditional big white wedding with all the trimmings

The cost implication  – fees are often lower than for other types of ceremony venues, Town Hall weddings are also a great way to save money on your wedding budget.

Are you getting married abroad? This is another reason to consider a registry office wedding:
It can be complicated to get legally wed in some countries, so it’s often easier to have a registry office wedding in the UK.
That way all the legalities are sorted before you jet off, and have a blessing ceremony at your chosen destination.
No need for translation of documents and costs of that, plus you have way more options of where to have a wedding ceremony or blessing.

Depending on the legalities of the country you have chosen to get married in, it might be necessary for you to get married at a UK Registry office beforehand.
It’s prudent to research the country you have chosen for your wedding. A lot of the time it is easier and less complicated to get married in the UK at a small registry office wedding or just with your partner and then jet off to your magical destination to host a blessing.

Registry Office Wedding Rules

The general rules for marrying in a registry office are virtually the same as those that apply to marriage ceremonies elsewhere in the UK.
The legal age for UK marriages is 16 years old (some places may require parental consent).

There are a separate set of rules that apply to anyone who is not a UK citizen. The person who originates from outside of the UK may need to apply for a Marriage or Civil Partnership Visitor visa.
If you are looking for any further details regarding regulations, you should be able to find them on the UK government website.

STEPS TO MARRYING AT A REGISTRY OFFICE

1 . CHOOSE YOUR REGISTRY OFFICE

Whether you just want to keep it local and choose one near your home or you might have a sentimental area in mind, pick whichever one feels right for you!
If you want to take a look at the registry offices by area, you can take a look at them on this registry office finder!

The Registry Office weddings  on the Wirral are available at

Wallasey Town Hall Brighton Street Wallasey Wirral CH44 8ED Tel:  0151 606 2000

An imposing neoclassical building – makes a great backdrop for your images.
Lots of steps leading down to the traffic-free promenade and glorious river view of the Mersey.  Watch out for people exercising running up and down the steps!
Internally a fine staircase, lined with marble pillars, for groups if weather inclement – its often very windy at the back of Wallasey town hall too

limited free parking opposite and some parking spaces on site currently undergoing a re-fit – updating lifts and infrastructure so waiting for re-opening!

UPDATE  April 2021 The refurb may take some time  as asbestos was found.
No date as yet when will reopen and is currently boarded up

Ceremonies normally take place in the beautiful  Council Chambers Round Room.
You can even have your function here in the imposing Grand Civic Hall

The imposing Civic Hall  seen below is set up for a wedding fayre – how fabulous would this be for your reception
The Dance Floor layout has a capacity of 220, cabaret-style 250, and closed seating is 370 – this may change with Covid regulations
For smaller parties, the Round room has a capacity of 80 for a sit-down meal and 120 for the evening reception

To check prices and to book contact the Booking Manager on  0151 691 8479

 

 

Birkenhead Town Hall  Mortimer Street Hamilton Square  Birkenhead Wirral CH41 5EU Tel: 0151 606 2020

The Wirral registry office is based here  – currently, a one-way system for appointments enter from front and exit via Mortimer Street
Open 9-44pm weekdays Closed weekends.  Paid parking bays are available around Hamilton Square.
Ceremonies take place in the larger grand upstairs room – lift accessible.

 

Birkenhead Town Hall

 

CAN I GET MARRIED AT A DIFFERENT REGISTRY OFFICE?

Whether you have chosen your local registry office or one outside of the Wirral, such as Chester Town Hall, you still need to give notice at your local registry office.
Please note It’s important that if you and your partner live in different registration districts, then it is advised for you to give notice separately at your own local registry offices.

Book with the registry office you have chosen to marry at, to arrange an appointment where you can then go through the interview process and complete all the required documentation.

2. GIVING NOTICE OF MARRIAGE

Once you’ve chosen the Registry Office you would like to get married at, you need to give notice at your local registry office
It’s the same as if you were getting married at a restaurant or other venue that has registered as a wedding venue.

3. BRING YOUR DOCUMENTATION

On your initial visit to the registry office, the documentation you need to bring along includes:

  • Proof of your name, age and nationality. (eg. valid passport, birth certificate, national identity card, etc)
  • If you’ve changed your name, you will need to bring proof along to support that.
  • Proof of address (eg. valid UK or EEA driving licence, recent gas or electricity bill, recent bank statement, etc)

 

4.  PAYING THE FEES – HOW MUCH ARE THE REGISTRY OFFICE WEDDING FEES?

Fees for giving notice are around £35-£50 per person – these last for a year and will need to be renewed if dates have changed beyond 12 months
(some councils may have wavered these during the COVID pandemic)

The marriage certificate cost around £4 on the day or £10 should you arrange to fetch it afterward.

Additional costs may include:
paying for a ceremony room, not just a registry office room,
extra charges for Saturday appointments to give notice,
fees paid for approving divorce documents from outside the UK or making changes to your application.

Fees for Birkenhead Town Hall

Monday to Thursday £150
Friday afternoon       £198
Saturday morning     £237

Fees for Wallasey Town Hall

Friday afternoon       £198
Saturday morning     £237

Fees for other approved venues for Wirral Weddings

Here you can see how more expensive it is to have a registrar visit an approved licensed wedding venue for you
Monday to Friday                   £459
Saturdays                               £518
Sundays and Bank Holidays   £597

Later weddings at 5 pm and 6.30 pm for approved venues incur an additional fee of £100.

The above fees show the cost savings for Town Hall ceremonies compared to venues

Personalising a Registry Office Ceremony

A registry office wedding has many advantages but the freedom to decorate the space as you please is not necessarily one of them.
Remember there are often several couples booked to have their ceremony on the same day.
You may not have time or think about collecting decor once you are having confetti pics and portraits.
If you do – nominate a guest to take care of them for you.

Instead of worrying over décor, the best way you can make your ceremony sentimental and special to you and your partner is through poems, personal vows, and music.
Besides the legal words that need to be said, there is a lot of space for you to make your ceremony your own, to reflect your own tastes and personalities.
Need some poem inspiration? Check out these ideas for wedding poems  

Is there a rehearsal?

Unlike church ceremonies, rehearsals do not take place for a civil ceremony at Town Halls.
So practice walking in your shoes and dress and make sure your chosen music is available or works on the appropriate device.
Make sure your guests know the location and time and that they must not be late.

5. THE WEDDING DAY

With all the above in place, you just need to enjoy your wedding day!
Do turn up on time – if you are late you run the risk of not having your ceremony due to another ceremony following yours.
plus subsequent cost and stress of rescheduling!

How long does a registry office wedding ceremony take?

Registry office ceremonies are quite quick, – usually about 20-30 minutes long. They will often ask you and your guests to be at the town hall at least 30 minutes before.
Your partner should arrive about 3o mins before for arrival pics with the photographer and to allow time for the registrar to check the details for the certificate.
You don’t want this happening when you arrive about 15mins beforehand – again for pics and certificate detail checks
Your age is checked – in case you had a birthday since giving notice.  Also, they will check if you wish family occupation to be noted – useful for family tree research in the future!

You may choose to enter together – perfectly fine – we love things less traditional!
Rings don’t have to be exchanged, but most couples do

Again at the end of the ceremony, they will ask you to check that all the details are correct in the register before you sign.
PLEASE CHECK CAREFULLY! It’s important to check that the details are correct before you sign.

If there is an error it can be easily changed before you’ve signed. If you spot something after you’ve signed, there is a legal procedure to apply for a correction via the General Register Office.
There is a statutory fee of £90 for applications for corrections to marriage or civil partnership registrations, which doesn’t include the cost of new certificates.
Full information on this process can be found on the Correct a marriage registration page on the GOV.UK website

Phew, you are married!  Smile, whoop cheer whatever you want to do as you exit, and enjoy the moments.

Wedding Photography at Wallasey Town Hall

So what are the options for portraits at Wallasey?
So many options with the staircase internally and externally for groups

There is a tarmac path leading to a view over the river if you don’t want to descend the many steps at the back.
A beautiful tree makes for a scenic setting and looking back toward the town hall makes for beautiful wedding photography at Wallasey Town Hall
The railing at the top makes for a good leaning-out pic to enjoy the view.

Wedding Photography at Birkenhead Town Hall

Birkenhead Town Hall sits in the historic Hamilton Square with its abundance of stunning  Georgian architecture.
It makes for fabulous scenic shots.
Group shots on stairs if weather inclement need to be efficient  due to the next wedding party ascending stairs to the ceremony room

Great for reportage shots as bride arrives, whatever the weather

Bridesmaids entrance in a ceremony in the larger upstairs room – decorated with beautiful stained glass windows in the foyer outside

The column area above the door is a good vantage point for an overhead group shot as well as intimate portraits away from the passing public below

overhead group photo after Birkenhead Town Hall wedding

 

In early May the cherry blossom on the trees in the square  is gorgeous – just shouts out for your portraits here

The iron-wrought railings just along from the town Hall are good places for portraits too.

 

Plenty of space to toss your bouquet too!

wedding bouquet toss after Birkenhead Town Hall Registry wedding

So loads of variety for your wedding photography at Birkenhead Town Hall, architecture, and park setting in a compact area

COVID UPDATES
During covid restrictions entrance  is from Brandon Street (right-hand side as you face Town Hall)
The bride and groom enter together and have details for the certificate checked
They opened this about 10 mins before the ceremony and then closed once guests are in

The ceremony is held in the larger upstairs room on the second floor (lift available)
The room is reconfigured to observe social distancing.  Chairs have been removed and social distancing blue circles  is marked on runners

Guests will have to wear facemasks – bride and groom do not have to wear them
The is an hour between the ceremonies to allow for cleaning.

Where to go for your Reception after the Town Hall Ceremony?

As mentioned before Wallasey Town Hall has its own function room that can be hired if you want to stay in the same place.
The venue 4748 Hamilton Square is sorely missed – it was such a handy venue for Birkenhead Town Hall but let’s look at other options for the reception afterward.
Often restaurants can be booked if small parties.  Partied have gone onto the function room at The  Manor Greasby- currently closed and reopening as a new restaurant.

OUTDOOR OPTIONS – for before May 17th

In the current climate and looking for outdoor options these can include:-
Woodside Cafe – outdoor seating and indoors from May 17th, 2021
Marquee or coverings can be used if 50% of the structure can be open

Mere Brook House  – check out their new gazebo
The Mouse at Brimstage
Hillbark Hotel
Outdoor beer gardens  – Irby Mill
Farmers Arms, Frankby
Sheldrakes restaurant  has an outdoor terrace

 

Looking for  alternative wedding venues check out these venues

Approved Wirral Venues for Marriage Ceremonies and Receptions

 

SUMMARY

Hope you found this info blog post helpful and you feel better prepared and informed for your local Town Hall Registry wedding or elopement

NEED WITNESSES?

Pixsmiths have bespoke short coverage packages for intimate Birkenhead town hall weddings
If you just want to elope just the two of you we are happy to act as your witnesses as well as capture your ceremony and some beautiful couple shots after

Check out our Micro Packages on our pricing page and contact us to check your date!
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