If you would like a civil ceremony, you can choose from one of the following locations:
- Register Office: you can choose any Register Office in England and Wales.
- Licensed venue: a civil ceremony can also take place at a licensed venue which has been granted a licence for ceremonies. These venues tend to be stately homes, civic buildings and hotels.
To arrange your ceremony, you must contact the Register Office in the district where your venue is located to book your required date and time. You must also make an appointment with your local Register Office to complete the legal documentation.
Civil ceremonies at Rochdale Register Office
If you're planning a civil ceremony, Rochdale Register Office is an ideal setting. It's located in Rochdale's world famous grade one Gothic Town Hall and is renowned for its unique architecture. Ceremonies take place:
- Monday to Friday, 9.45am - 11.15am and 2pm-3.30pm
- Saturday: 9.45am - 4.15pm.
- Sunday: 10am - 4pm.
New ceremony room at Number One Riverside
The new ceremony room, named the Red Rose Suite, will be tastefully decorated with contemporary lighting features and furnishings. The versatile room will be able to accommodate up to 70 guests. The new venue will also include access to a roof top terrace with views across the Pennines for photographs and celebratory drinks with friends and family.
The Roche Suite
The ceremonies room is air-conditioned and is tastefully furnished and decorated. It will seat up to 40 guests with limited additional standing room. Wedding parties have their own marriage entrance and waiting area, with access to toilet facilities. If you forget to buy your confetti, we have confetti on sale from our reception point.
We have a background music system in the waiting areas and a music system in the ceremonies room. Music will automatically be played unless you inform us otherwise. If you wish to personalise your ceremony, you can supply your own CD. Please note that the law does not allow any religious music to be played at a civil marriage ceremony.
A video camera may be used during the ceremony providing that prior arrangement has been made with the Register Office. Should you wish a photographer to take photographs during the ceremony, please speak to the registrar prior to the ceremony and they will advise you. Your guests will be given time at the conclusion of the ceremony for any photographs they may wish to take.
Facilities include:
- Full access for disabled people and pushchairs.
- Two rooms where ceremonies can take place.
- Toilet facilities that meet all the requirements for disabled people; also includes nappy changing facilities for babies.
- A new paved courtyard outside the office, including bench seating and floral planters and makes an ideal setting for your wedding photographs.
- A park and attractive garden areas next to the Register Office for more wedding photographs.