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11 of the Best Registry Offices in London

We've found the prettiest locations for a wedding ceremony in the capital. From the grandeur of Westminster to buzzing Chelsea, these are London's best registry offices

Octagonal room with gilded ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows, tiled floors, gold chairs and gold chandelier

When it comes to choosing your London wedding venue, registry offices in London might not be the first thing that springs to mind. While registry offices might not seem as glamourous as say, landmark wedding venues, they offer some great advantages for couples excited for about tying the knot

In London, the best registry offices really are worth adding to your viewing list. When it comes to finding your registry office wedding venue, there are plenty of hidden gems, proving that these spaces can be both functional and fabulous. 

From historical splendour to pared-back elegance, there are some beautiful options for your wedding in the capital. We've made sure to choose the London registry offices that are as beautiful outside as inside - after all, you'll want a gorgeous backdrop for those newlywed photos!

The 12 Best Registry Offices in London

1. Hackney Town Hall - Hackney, East London

Wedding breakfast room with circular white tables, white wooden chairs and floral centrepieces

Hackney Town Hall is a design-lovers' paradise - the Art Deco building has been beautifully refurbished to really show off the period features and soaring architecture.

There are five different spaces to suit all different sizes of wedding guest list, from the atmospheric wood-panelled Council Chamber to the elegant Assembly Hall. But the beauty of the spaces isn't the only reason we love it.

Unlike with many other London registry offices, you can have your reception at Hackney Town Hall, too, which means no worrying about shuttling your guests around the capital after the ceremony. This venue has a late licence, and can give you a list of some of the best suppliers in town - that's the easy way to plan!

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2. Lambeth Town Hall - Lambeth, South West London

Bride and groom in Lambeth town hall courtyard on a rainy day

Lambeth Town Hall is a richly atmospheric historic wedding venue, with period features aplenty and bags of charm. There are seven spaces to suit a range of London registry office wedding styles, from the contemporary-chic Ceremony Suite to the amazing Council Chamber and the sumptuous Circular Hall.

This is an ideal venue for larger town hall weddings in London, as The Assembly Hall can accommodate up to 300 guests for cocktail receptions and 250 guests for banquet-style meals. 

You can host receptions here, too, and there's even a courtyard you can hire for outdoor receptions, from drinks and canapés to sit-down dinners.

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3. Orleans House Gallery - Twickenham, Middlesex

Octagonal room with gilded ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows, tiled floors, gold chairs and gold chandelier

Owned by Richmond-Upon-Thames, Orleans House Gallery is an enchanting ceremony venue, surrounded by woodland and overlooking the Thames. There are good transport links, and yet it manages to feel perfectly secluded.

Ceremonies take place in the Baroque Octagon Room, a light-filled space that can hold up to 60 of your friends and family. There are some lovely options for receptions in the area, and before you head off, you can organise drinks and canapés in the grounds.

Your guests will be able to make the most of this unique registry office in London, and are encouraged to stroll through the gardens and explore the gallery exhibitions. It's a great day out!

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4. Morden Park House - South West London

Ceremony room with white wooden chairs, a wooden table, purple carpet and soft lighting

Want to have a country-house-style wedding in the capital? Check out Morden Park House, a Grade II-listed building that's home to Merton Council's registry office.

While the interiors are beautiful, it's the outside that makes Morden Park House particularly special, with glorious grounds and a courtyard. There's even a gazebo for outdoor wedding ceremonies.

You can also hire the courtyard for a marquee wedding reception, for an outdoor celebration without leaving London!

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5. Chelsea Old Town Hall, - Kensington & Chelsea, South West London

Red brick and marble exterior of Chelsea old town hall with stoop and trees

Chelsea Old Town Hall is such a glamorous place for a wedding. For starters, there's the location - right in the heart of Chelsea on the iconic King's Road, with South Kensington and Sloane Square within easy reach.

Then, of course, there's the building itself, a Grade II-listed marvel that would be the backdrop to some stunning wedding photos.

Inside, you'll find four spaces that can be adapted to suit your wedding theme and style, and you can have your reception in the Main Hall. Chelsea Old Town Hall just had a spike in popularity too - search demand rose 140% according to Google Trends, as it was the chosen wedding venue for Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo's legal wedding ceremony!

6. Enfield Registry Office - Enfield, North London

Brown three-storey exterior of Enfield town hall with driveway

If you're planning a small wedding ceremony, Enfield Registry Office could be just the place. Housed in a Georgian building, the wedding space is the elegant Admiral's Suite, which holds up to 40 guests.

This London registry overlooks the picturesque New River, which would be a charming backdrop to bring all your wedding photo ideas to life. 

Mondays to Thursdays are for simple wedding ceremonies; on Fridays and Saturdays the venue offers a longer version with readings and your choice of music.

7. Woolwich Town Hall - Woolwich, South East London

Marble and red brick exterior of Woolwich Town Hall on a street with traffic lights

Home to Greenwich Registry Office, Woolwich Town Hall is an atmospheric option for a civil ceremony or partnership.

You have a choice of three spaces. If you're having an intimate elopement, the registry office itself hosts weddings for the couple and two witnesses only. For something a little larger, there's the Edwardian Room, for up to 36 guests.

Imagining something bigger? The sumptuous Victoria Hall can fit up to 130 guests and is exclusively yours for two hours, a great deal for any London registry office wedding. 

8. Old Marylebone Town Hall - Marylebone, Central London

Wood panelled living room with chandelier, chairs, fireplace and white flowers

If you want to get married in Westminster, the council's Old Marylebone Town Hall is one of the most sought-after spots. There are seven different rooms to choose from, all named after different places in London and all utterly inviting.

The venue doesn't host receptions, but you can have a 'first toast' after the ceremony for an extra fee, and it's sometimes also possible to book a slightly longer slot for a drinks-only reception.

The best bit? You can have your pooch there because Marylebone Town Hall is proud to offer dog-friendly weddings! Start planning their wedding outfit now.

9. Mayfair Library - Mayfair, Central London

Exterior white archway and red brick of Mayfair Library

Mayfair Library is Westminster Council's other wedding venue, and what a venue it is! Here at Hitched, we love a library wedding venue - they're always packed full of charm, and this one is no exception. 

The Marylebone Room is the perfect spot for an intimate wedding, particularly if you're book-lovers, as it's decorated with antique books. That space can take up to 22 guests.

For a larger ceremony, check out The Mayfair Room, which has a beautiful aisle and can seat up to 38 guests.

10. Stoke Newington Town Hall - Stoke Newington, North West London

Exterior of Stoke Newington town hall at dusk

Stoke Newington Town Hall is an architectural gem - and it's as bewitching inside as out. Think Art Deco features and spacious rooms, including a walnut-panelled Council Chamber.

Looking for a reception space for a larger wedding guest list at your town hall wedding in London? After the ceremony, the Assembly Room can hold up to 550 seated, and it has a wonderful maple dance floor.

There's also an in-house wedding co-ordinator to help you pull everything together throughout every stage of the wedding planning process

11. Islington Town Hall - Islington, North East London

circular room with red carpet, oak panelling and a chandelier

Islington Town Hall has three gorgeous ceremony rooms, but we have to admit that our favourite is the grand Council Chamber.

Accessed from the venue's grand marble staircase, the space works as well for smaller guest lists as for large - the maximum is 100 in the main room and 60 on the balcony.

The location is spot-on, too, right on Upper Street. There are plenty of venues within easy reach for your reception, from cosy Clerkenwell pubs to cool Hackney warehouses.

How Much is a Registry Office Wedding in London?

According to our National Wedding Survey, the average cost of a wedding in 2022 was £18, 400, with venue hire coming in at £8,400. However, with registry offices typically having much lower hire costs, the cost of a London registry office wedding can end up being considerably lower than average. 

There are a number of factor that can affect the price of London registry office weddings. Dawn Kavanagh, Senior Registrations Officer at Morden Park House elaborates: "It depends usually where in London, how many guests you would like at your ceremony and what day of the week!

"For example it could be anywhere from £275 in our smallest room on a weekday to £725 for our outside gazebo on a Saturday for up to 100 people. However, in some register offices in the city you could increase these fees by a couple of hundred pounds."

Why Do Some Couples Choose to Get Married in a Registry Office?

There are many reasons why couples may choose to get hitched in a registry office. 

For some couples with a smaller wedding budget, tying the knot in a registry office is a great way to reduce the costs of venue hire. Dawn says "For some couples getting married in a register office can also be a budget friendly option, it means they don’t have to hire a large venue for an intimate ceremony with a handful of guests."

Registry offices are also popular with couples seeking to tie the knot quickly as they often have shorter waiting times and less complicated booking procedures than other wedding venues.

Dawn adds, "Some couples choose to get married in a register office because they like the building and ceremony rooms, getting those all-important wedding photos during your ceremony and after in a beautiful venue is very important. We sometimes have couples still taking pictures in front of our Grade II-listed mansion house as the registrars are leaving for the day! 

"Couples also choose to marry at register offices as they a secular alternative to getting married in a church or other religious premise."

What Should Couples Know Before Getting Married in a Registry Office?

If you're thinking about having a London registry office wedding, there are a few things to bear in mind. 

Firstly, legal requirements. Before you can get married in a registry office, there are certain legal documents that you need to provide, including proof of identity and residency. Be sure to have these prepared before the day of your London town hall wedding!

It's also important to bear in mind that registry offices typically have a smaller capacity than traditional wedding venues, so you may need to keep your guest list on the smaller side. If you're struggling with this, check out our guide on how to cut down your wedding guest list

Although town hall weddings tend to be shorter and less formal than more traditional weddings, it's still important to think about the format of your ceremony.

Dawn advises that "couples should be aware that registrars (especially in Merton) actively encourage customising their civil ceremonies with readings, music, personal vows, even the occasion singalong; anything which makes their ceremony special and unique to them. It makes the day even more special to inject a little of the couple personality into the ceremony.

"If couples have any special requests, we would love to hear them and see how we can incorporate them into their ceremony."

One of the best things about tying the knot in the capital is that you'll have plenty of options when it comes to your first night as newlyweds. We've rounded up London's most romantic hotels.