A registry office wedding costs between £56 and £500 in England and Wales, takes 10-30 minutes, and requires at least 29 days' notice.1 It's the most affordable and straightforward way to get legally married in the UK, with no religious elements permitted.
What Is a Registry Office Wedding?
A registry office wedding (also called a register office wedding) is a civil ceremony conducted by a local authority registrar. The marriage is legally binding without any religious content.1
Registry offices are council buildings specifically designed for civil ceremonies. Every local authority in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland operates at least one registry office where couples can marry.
What You Get
- Legal marriage ceremony conducted by a registrar
- Exchange of vows (required by law)
- Ring exchange (optional but common)
- Signing of the marriage register
- Marriage certificate
Registry Office vs Licensed Venue
| Feature | Registry Office | Licensed Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £56-500 | £500-5,000+ |
| Capacity | 6-100 guests | 20-300+ guests |
| Setting | Council building | Hotels, stately homes, barns |
| Flexibility | Limited decoration | More customisation |
| Availability | Weekdays easier to book | Varies by venue |
A registry office is ideal if you want a simple, affordable ceremony. Licensed venues suit couples wanting their ceremony and reception in one location.
How to Book a Registry Office Wedding
Step-by-Step Process
- Choose your registry office: Contact the register office in the area where you want to marry
- Check availability: Saturday slots book up fastest, especially May-September
- Pay deposit: Secures your date (typically non-refundable)
- Give notice: At least 29 days before your ceremony1
- Confirm details: Discuss vows, music, readings with registrar
- Attend ceremony: Arrive with witnesses and documents
Giving Notice
Before any marriage in England and Wales, both partners must give notice at their local register office. This is a legal requirement regardless of where your ceremony takes place.1
Key requirements:
- Give notice at least 29 days before the ceremony
- Notice remains valid for 12 months
- Cost: £35 per person (England and Wales)
- You must have lived in your registration district for at least 7 days
Booking Timeline
| Timing | Action |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Earliest you can give notice |
| 6-9 months before | Book popular Saturday dates |
| 3 months before | Good timing for weekday ceremonies |
| 29 days before | Absolute minimum for giving notice |
Registry Office Wedding Costs 2025
Costs vary significantly by location, day of the week, and room size. Here's what to expect across the UK.
England and Wales
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Giving notice (per person) | £351 |
| Basic statutory ceremony | £561 |
| Weekday ceremony (standard room) | £50-150 |
| Saturday ceremony (standard room) | £150-300 |
| Premium room upgrade | £200-500 |
| Marriage certificate | £111 |
Total minimum cost for a couple: £137 (giving notice + basic ceremony + one certificate)
Scotland
Scotland operates a different fee structure:2
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage notice (total, not per person) | £90-155 |
| Weekday registry office ceremony | £55-200 |
| Saturday ceremony | £150-500 |
| Premium venue (e.g., City Chambers) | £400-1,600 |
Note: In Scotland, notice is only valid for 3 months (not 12 months as in England and Wales).2
Northern Ireland
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Giving notice (per person) | £223 |
| Weekday ceremony (9am-5pm) | £363 |
| Evening/Saturday ceremony | £162-2163 |
| Marriage certificate | £8-153 |
What Happens During the Ceremony
A registry office ceremony is structured around legal requirements with room for personalisation within secular boundaries.
Ceremony Length
Most ceremonies last 10-30 minutes. The basic statutory ceremony (shortest and cheapest) takes around 10 minutes, while ceremonies with personal touches run 20-30 minutes.
Required Legal Elements
Every civil ceremony in England and Wales must include:1
- Declaration: Both partners confirm there's no legal impediment to marriage
- Contracting words: Exchange of vows making you legally married
- Signing: Register signed by both partners, witnesses, and registrar
What You Can Include
- Personal vows: Must be pre-approved by the registrar and contain no religious content
- Readings: Non-religious poems, quotes, or passages
- Music: Entrance music, signing register, and exit music
- Ring exchange: Traditional but not legally required
- Photography: Most venues allow photos during the ceremony
What's Not Permitted
Civil ceremonies cannot include:1
- Hymns or religious music
- Prayers or blessings
- Religious readings or scripture
- References to God or religious figures
- Traditional religious phrases (e.g., "in the sight of God")
If you want a religious element, you can have a religious blessing after your civil ceremony at a church or other venue.
Making Your Registry Office Wedding Special
A registry office wedding doesn't have to feel impersonal. Here's how to add meaningful touches within the rules.
Personalisation Ideas
Vows: Write personal vows that reflect your relationship. Submit them to the registrar in advance for approval. Focus on your promises and journey together rather than religious sentiments.
Music: Choose songs meaningful to you for:
- Your entrance (walking down the aisle)
- Signing the register
- Your exit as a married couple
Readings: Ask a friend or family member to read a poem or passage. Popular choices include:
- Shakespeare's sonnets
- E.E. Cummings poetry
- Readings from favourite books
- Song lyrics (without religious content)
Decoration: Many registry offices allow:
- Fresh flowers
- Chair decorations
- Confetti (check venue policy)
- Personal items like photos
After the Ceremony
Registry office ceremonies are short, leaving your day open for celebrations:
- Photos: Many registry offices have gardens or scenic spots nearby
- Wedding breakfast: Book a restaurant or pub for lunch
- Reception: Evening celebration at a venue of your choice
- Drinks and cake: Simple gathering with close family
Guest Numbers and Room Options
Registry offices typically offer multiple room sizes to accommodate different party sizes and budgets.
Room Types
| Room Type | Typical Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Small/Office | 6-12 guests | Intimate ceremonies, budget option |
| Medium/Standard | 15-30 guests | Close family and friends |
| Large/Ceremony room | 40-100 guests | Bigger celebrations |
Remember: You need at least 2 witnesses present (aged 16+). They count towards your guest numbers.
Witness Requirements
- Minimum 2, maximum usually 4
- Must be 16 years or older
- Can be anyone you choose (friends, family, strangers)
- Must be present throughout the ceremony
- Sign the marriage register after the couple
Regional Variations Across the UK
Marriage laws differ between England/Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 29 days | 29 days | 28 days |
| Notice valid for | 12 months | 3 months | 12 months |
| Give notice where | District where you live | District where marrying | District where marrying |
| Basic ceremony | £56+ | £55+ | £36+ |
| Notice fee per person | £35 | £50-77 (varies) | £22 |
| Minimum age | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Certificate cost | £11 | £10 | £8-15 |
Scotland: Key Differences
Scotland operates under different marriage law:2
- Minimum marriage age is 16 (not 18)
- Religious and "belief" ceremonies (humanist, Pagan) are equally legal
- Notice is only valid for 3 months
- Some registrars can conduct outdoor ceremonies
Northern Ireland: Key Differences
Northern Ireland has its own system:3
- Notice period is 28 days (one day shorter)
- Lower fees than England/Wales
- Certificates can be issued in English, Irish, or bilingual
Registry Office vs Other Options
| Feature | Registry Office | Church | Licensed Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £56-500 | £300-600 | £500-5,000+ |
| Religious content | No | Yes (required) | No |
| Capacity | 6-100 | 50-400 | 20-300+ |
| Flexibility | Limited | Traditional format | More options |
| Booking lead time | Days to months | Months to years | Months to years |
Choose a registry office if you want:
- A secular ceremony
- The most affordable option
- Flexibility on dates
- A quick, straightforward process
Practical Tips
Before Your Ceremony
- Book early for Saturday dates and summer months
- Visit the venue to see different room options
- Submit vows to the registrar at least 2 weeks ahead
- Confirm timings with guests and vendors
- Prepare documents (passport, proof of address)
On the Day
- Arrive early: Groom/best man 20 minutes before; bride 10 minutes
- Bring witnesses: Don't forget your 2-4 witnesses
- Have ID ready: Passport or driving licence
- Stay on schedule: Multiple ceremonies happen daily
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking without giving notice first
- Including religious content in vows
- Assuming you can decorate freely (check policies)
- Not ordering enough marriage certificates (get 2-3)
Sources and References
Footnotes
-
GOV.UK, Marriages and civil partnerships, 2025. https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
-
mygov.scot, Getting married in Scotland, 2025. https://www.mygov.scot/getting-married ↩ ↩2 ↩3
-
NI Direct, Getting married in a civil ceremony, 2025. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/getting-married-civil-ceremony ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5