Marriage and Civil Partnership Ceremonies at Chester Town Hall

Please Note 

The Executive Members of Chester City Council have agreed to commence with a major scheme of repair and refurbishment to the Town Hall. The programme will commence in May 2008 and is expected to be completed by Spring 2009.

Due to the extent of the works the Town Hall will not be available for commercial hire.

It is unknown at this stage when the exact re opening date will be. However, we will continue to update this site as the works progress.

You may wish to contact the Cheshire Registrars on 01244 602668 who will be able to advise you about alternative wedding venues in the area.

Marriage and Civil Ceremonies at Chester Town Hall

Since obtaining approval to hold Civil Marriage ceremonies, Chester Town Hall has become one of the most popular venues in Cheshire. Many couples have already appreciated the attractive nature of the interior, which is grand without being overwhelming.

There are four rooms available for wedding hire, three of which are approved for civil ceremonies. These are the Council Chamber, the Magistrates Room and the Committee Room. The large Assembly Room is the ultimate venue for those fun packed evening celebrations.

The Victorian carved stone foyer and waiting hall, with sweeping staircases where guests can gather, will provide rich colourful backdrops to your photographs, a reminder of a scene which poor weather cannot diminish.

You are now invited to read on, and as you do so please be assured that the Town Hall team are well aware that, although exciting, weddings are complex and time consuming to arrange. We have a great deal of experience and can offer our skills and advice to ensure that your day will be one to remember. Our reputation is one of flexibility and a desire to make your wedding a success. From your first enquiry to the time you leave the Town Hall as man and wife, we can guide and help you add those special touches that will make your day memorable.

Distinctive rooms in which to say 'I do'

The choice of room for the ceremony is entirely your own. It must be said though, that the deciding factor may be the number of guests you intend to invite. The Council Chamber, because of its setting is the most popular room, and is licensed to hold up to 120 guests. The two remaining rooms, each with their own individual character accommodate smaller numbers. The Magistrates Room, with balloon chandeliers that cannot fail to impress, is licensed for up to 50 guests. Smaller, but ideal for intimate ceremonies, is the Committee Room. Licensed for 30 guests, this room is encased in the history of Chester, shown on the City honour boards which line the walls.

The Ceremony

The Town Hall has played host to many varying styles of ceremony, from traditional events to more informal ones. Although no two ceremonies have been the same, an important ingredient common to all, has been the personal approach each Bride and Groom has given to ensure that their unforgettable moment is unique to them.

On average, the Ceremony will take approximately 20 minutes, depending on whether you include additional declarations, poetry or prose. Although we will be pleased to assist you with helpful suggestions, the style of the day will be your decision. However, because it is a civil ceremony, the law stipulates that there can be no religious content.

To personalise the occasion, you may wish to consider the inclusion of music during the proceedings. Live or otherwise, this popular enhancement can balance the importance of the day with the fact that it is a time of celebration.

Pre-drinks

With the formalities over, you can relax and enjoy a pre Wedding Breakfast drink with your guests. This is also an ideal time to introduce friends and relatives, and greet people you may not have seen for a while. Many couples now prefer to mingle at a pre drinks reception prior to dining, instead of the traditional greeting line.

Wedding Breakfast

Before you know it, you will be invited by a member of the Town Hall team to be seated for the Wedding Breakfast, so called because it is the first meal you will take together as man and wife.

Whether you have been married in the Town Hall or not, you are welcome to hold your Wedding Breakfast with us. Depending upon your guest list, you can choose to dine in any one of the four rooms described above. You may even be able to return to the room you took your vows in, which will have been transformed, according to your table plan, into a wonderful banquet setting.

Evening Celebrations

As your special day draws to a close, the evening festivities begin. There is nowhere better suited to this occasion than the Assembly Room. Being the largest room in the Town Hall, it allows for greater flexibility when selecting your party layout. You will be able to seat up to 280 guests, and still have room for them to dance the night away. The spacious stage will easily accommodate your band and disco, both of which will add atmosphere and fun ensuring your night goes with a swing.

The Assembly Room is also available for Evening Receptions, if you hold the rest of your celebrations elsewhere.

The Finer Details

If you are considering holding your Marriage Ceremony in the Town Hall, you can provisionally reserve the date for up to two weeks, before confirming it. Confirmation of the booking must be made in writing. Once this has been received, a 25% non-refundable deposit will be requested. In addition, you must contact the Superintendent Registrar at the address shown below:

The Register Office
Goldsmith House
Goss Street
CHESTER
CH1 2BG
Telephone 01244 602668

Two registrars will attend the ceremony, which cannot take place without their presence. Ceremonies can be held between 10.00am - 4.00pm Monday - Saturday, and can be booked with the Registrars 12 months in advance.

Car Parking

The Princess Street complex is the nearest parking facility to the Town Hall and, should you wish to reserve spaces for your guests, we will be happy to arrange this for you. We do offer a limited number of free spaces for each wedding.

Arranging to view

Before you make a decision, why not visit us and see exactly what we can offer. To arrange an appointment contact us at: townhall@chester.gov.uk.