registry office wedding

How to plan a London registry office wedding, according to a wedding planner

30 Jan 2025 | | By Annie Lewis

Timelessly chic but also incredibly time efficient, there’s a reason to rave about a registry office wedding. We ask a luxury event planner how to plan a day to remember

It’s no secret that the pandemic ushered in a new era for weddings. Many couples who went ahead with their nuptials in 2020 were only allowed six people in attendance – the bride and groom, two witnesses and two guests – before it was relaxed to a wedding party of 15, meaning many original guest lists were drastically slashed so the happy couple could tie the knot. Of course, many couples also chose to postpone – but if there’s one thing the pandemic proved, it was that a smaller, more intimate wedding is by no means less meaningful. 

While the registry office wedding is nothing new (civil ceremonies have increasingly outnumbered religious marriages every year since 1992), it experienced something of a renaissance during the pandemic – and it seems to continue to ride the wave of popularity even five years on. Timeless but also time effective, as well as being flexible, personal and budget-friendly (ceremonies can start from £57), there’s something to be said for exchanging vows with only your nearest and dearest around you, and without all of the traditional pomp and fanfare. Plus, with two of London’s most popular town halls, Marylebone and Chelsea, hosting up to 100 weddings a day during peak season, this classy concept is clearly not going anywhere anytime soon. 

So, what are registry office weddings? And how do you plan one? We tapped into the creative nuptial nous of Jessie Westwood, founder and director of luxury event and design agency Studio Sorores, to discuss why a registry office wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing style, and the key things to remember when you’re in the throes of planning. 

What is a registry office wedding? 

By definition, a registry office wedding is a non-religious ceremony that takes place at a government building (aka, a registry office). The ceremony is legally binding, performed by a registrar, not a member of the clergy, meaning the ceremony cannot feature songs or readings with religious connotations. There must be at least five people in attendance to make the wedding legally binding: the couple, the registrar and two witnesses. Some registry offices can allow up to 60 guests, while others stick to the minimum, so plan your guest list accordingly. 

As couples can be in and out of the registry office within the hour, Westwood explains that it’s a popular choice for those who want to get the ‘legal bit’ ticked off their to-do list. S“I think that so many couples are choosing to have an intimate registry office wedding in London as they then choose to celebrate a large affair either abroad for a destination wedding, or in the UK with a private celebrant where they can create a completely bespoke ceremony script and personal vows to share in front of all their friends and family. There is also a surge in more creative post-ceremony celebrations at hotels, restaurants and clubs in London that are less traditional in style.”

How do you plan a registry office wedding? 

“You’ll want to choose your preferred registry office as soon as possible, giving notice and confirming a date and time to plan everything around. Each one will have different costs and availability – some are busier than others!” says Westwood. Giving notice is key to any wedding, as it involves legally informing the authorities that you intend to marry via signing a legal statement, providing certain documents, and paying a fee. You must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony and hold the ceremony within 12 months.

“In addition to choosing your witnesses, guests, readings and music, you will want to book in your photographer early too. The post-wedding bash is probably the most fun element of planning, so take time to research your options. Is it walkable? Will guests need transport? Do you want to keep traditions or do something more creative? If you are planning to have bespoke or custom outfits then leave plenty of time for these to be made too.”

What happens during a registry office wedding? 

“A registry office wedding will be similar to any other wedding you have attended with a registrar on site, with options to choose your own readings and music (as long as it is not religious in nature),” says Westwood. “You can choose which vows to have read, but you cannot personalise them or read your own out as part of the service. A basic simple legal wedding in a registry office can be as short as 10 minutes, but usually we would expect it to last 20-30 minutes.”

How can you make registry office weddings as glamorous as larger weddings?

Due to the speedy nature of registry office weddings, elaborate flower arrangements and statement centrepieces are not always possible because of time restrictions. Therefore, Westwood suggests you get creative with other elements: “Focus on your outfits – usually that means something more fresh and modern rather than a big white dress and veil – with a gorgeous bouquet. Save your budget for the post-ceremony bash: whether that’s splurging on an amazing venue, booking an incredible photographer, choosing a top level menu or having more fun with the design and decor.”

And one thing not to forget? “Plan time and locations for photography portraits! It is often rushed or missed with a registry office wedding but is such a fun moment to capture with close ones and just the two of you.”

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