What ceremony dates and times are available?
We are taking new bookings as usual. Click 'Book Now' to see all dates and secure your slot any time until December 31st 2023.
Can we visit the Town Hall before booking?
We will release new dates over the coming weeks. At this time, we do not offer one-off visits for individual people/couples unless they are requested.
Can I choose a specific registrar?
We will allocate registrars to your ceremony. Whilst we are happy to consider a request for a registrar that you have spoken with whilst making enquiries, it may not always be possible for them to attend your ceremony based on work patterns or leave etc.
We have a very diverse workforce in Westminster that reflects our community and we celebrate and are proud of this. We will not consider requests to allocate registrars based on individual characteristics.
Please be assured that all of our registrars would be delighted to be a part of your celebrations and will deliver your ceremony with utmost professionalism.
Can I meet my registrar before the day of the ceremony?
We understand that you may want to meet with the registrar who’ll be conducting your ceremony. At present, this may not be possible in person as we are extremely busy conducting ceremonies. However, instead of a face-to-face meeting, we will happily arrange a call and where appropriate, a virtual meeting on Microsoft Teams or Zoom at a suitable time during the week before the ceremony. Please note, we will only be able to schedule this once the staffing rota has been finalised and the registrar conducting your ceremony has been assigned.
How long should we expect to be in the building?
Your booking with us is 60 minutes in total. This time includes 15 minutes ahead of your booked ceremony time for your guests to settle in and be seated ahead of your entrance into the room. In that time, you will be meeting with your registrars to go over your certificate details. The ceremony has a 30 minute limit which will include any extra readings you may have and the paperwork signing at the end. We will also expect the room to be vacant again exactly 30 minutes after the start time of your ceremony so we can begin preparing it for the ceremony following yours. The last 15 minutes takes into account guests vacating the room and photos you will take leaving the building, and those on the steps i.e. your confetti shot.
Can my friend conduct my ceremony?
Your ceremony needs to be conducted by a Westminster registrar or a registrar currently working in another district. However, friends and family are welcome to give readings during the ceremony.
Can I personalise the ceremony or write my own vows?
Yes. As long as you and your partner exchange the required legal words (highlighted in bold in our script templates), you are free to amend the scripts and/or add your own readings, personal vows etc. Read more about this on our 'ceremonies' page or below.
Can we have a reading?
Yes, you may include up to two short readings shared by family or friends in your ceremony. They could be an extract from a book, quote or song lyric, or poem written especially for the day. However, please be aware that readings (and music) must not include anything that’s religious (for example hymns or readings from the Bible or the Torah). Please contact the Register Office if you are unsure about the contents of your reading choice.
Do we have to exchange rings?
No. You can leave this out of your ceremony altogether, especially if you wish to do this another day, or you can exchange other symbols of commitment, as long as your registrar is happy that it is in keeping with the solemnity of the occasion.
Can I/we make an entrance into the ceremony room at OMTH?
Yes, you may make an entrance into your chosen ceremony room as a couple or with another person. Full processions are also permitted.
If the bride/partner 1 wishes to make an entrance and doesn’t wish to see the groom/partner 2 before the ceremony starts then arrival times will need to be coordinated so that the bride/partner 1 arrives last in order to have the pre-ceremony interview/schedule details checked before making the entrance into the room. We ask that the groom/partner 2 arrives 15 minutes before the start time of the ceremony and the bride/partner 1 arrives 10 minutes before.
Can I have my own music or hire a musician for the ceremony at OMTH?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own recorded music or organise a live performer/musician(s) - without amps so as not to disrupt other weddings. The acoustics in each room carry sound very well. Please ensure that any recorded music is downloaded to a smart device i.e. phone or tablet, as we no longer have the facility to play CDs or music via a USB stick. The device will be need to be connected to our speaker via Bluetooth and you will designate someone to control it for you. We recommend playing music in three places: entrance, document signing & exit (a member of staff will advise on the exact cues before the ceremony). Please be aware that music cannot be religious in nature – incidental references to a god or deity is acceptable, but the piece must be essentially non-religious in context.
Can we have a singer/singing?
Yes, singers are permitted.
Can we have a photographer at OMTH?
Yes, you may have a photographer/videographer present – they will not be counted as guests.
Can we bring our children?
Yes, children are welcome. They must be supervised at all times and should not be allowed to wander around the room / venue. This is to help us manage social distancing within the venue. Babes in arms/toddlers on laps will not be counted in the guest count.
Can we bring our dog to OMTH?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Town Hall where we are very dog-friendly. We only ask that parties ensure they are ready to clean up after a dog if necessary and must always maintain control of the dog. Please let us know in advance if you plan to bring any dogs so we can make a note on your booking.
Can we stream our wedding? (Use Zoom, FaceTime etc)
Yes, of course! We understand that whilst all of your loved ones may not be there in person, they would still like to be there virtually. We do not have our own in house streaming services but we are quite happy for you to bring your own devices and set them up to make this possible (using a phone, tablet or laptop). We do have WiFi to facilitate this and our 4G connection is also quite strong in all rooms.
Can we have a “first toast” after our ceremony at OMTH?
Unfortunately, not at this time. We are hoping to relaunch this service in the New Year.
What is a “You plus two” ceremony?
This is a brief, basic ceremony for a wedding or civil partnership held in one of our 7 beautiful rooms at the Old Marylebone Town Hall. There is limited availability mainly on Tuesday mornings and no availability at weekends.
This ceremony cannot be personalized or enhanced with things such as music or readings. Only 2 guests are permitted, and they will need to act as witnesses. Both witnesses should be over the age of 16 and able to speak or understand English.
If you have made a booking for this type of a ceremony but would like to upgrade so that you can personalise your ceremony to include a photographer and guests, please complete an enquiry form. Please note that additional fees will apply and it may mean re-scheduling your existing booking.
Do I need to bring ID/paperwork on the day of my ceremony?
You do not need to bring anything on the day. As you would have provided identification when giving notice of intention, you do not need to do so again on the day of your ceremony.
Who can be my witness and how many witnesses do I need to bring? Do they need to bring ID?
Witnesses are required to observe you make your verbal contract of marriage, and to sign the marriage schedule. Therefore, they need to be present throughout the ceremony, and not be involved in other roles which may distract them, such as taking photographs.
Your witnesses need to speak and understand English, and ideally should be over the age of 16. They can be friends, family members or strangers and they do not need to bring ID on the day. You must supply your own witnesses – Westminster Register Office staff cannot act as witnesses.
Will Registrars be wearing PPE? If so, what will be worn?
There are two registrars present at each ceremony and the registrar conducting the ceremony will not be wearing a face covering but will maintain two metre distance from those present. We are allowing the registering registrar the decide whether they wish to wear a face covering or not.
Will we, the couple, and our guests need to wear masks?
To help maintain the safety of our staff, we recommend face coverings to be worn by guests on arrival, whilst moving around the building and when leaving. However they may be removed whilst seated for the duration of the ceremony.
Can I bring the date of my ceremony forward?
Yes, you can apply using the reschedule form if you wish to bring your existing ceremony forward. A member of the team will call you after receipt of the form and discuss options with you.
Can we move our ceremony to another location within Westminster?
Yes it is possible and depends on availability of registrars. You will be required to give your legal notice of intention to marry or form a civil partnership again if you have already given notice for the original venue.