How to Plan Town Hall Registry Office Wedding
PLANNING YOUR BIRKENHEAD TOWN HALL
REGISTRY OFFICE WEDDING
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.
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
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!
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
- Church Farm, Thurstaston
- Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
- Hillbark, Frankby
- Heswall Hall, Heswall
- Heswall United Reformed Church, Heswall
- Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight
- Leasowe Castle Hotel, Moreton
- The Little Fox, Thornton Hough
- The Masonic Hall, Wallasey
- Mere Brook House, Thornton Hough
- The Leverhulme Hotel and Spa, Port Sunlight
- Tranmere Rovers Football Club, Birkenhead
- Sheldrakes Restaurant, Heswall
- The Saddle Club, Prenton
- Thornton Hall Hotel, Thornton Hough
- Thornton Manor, Thornton Hough
- Village Urban Resort, Bromborough
- Williamson Art Gallery, Oxton
- Poulton Hall, Spital
- Sunlight Restaurant and Bar, Bebington
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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