Marriage - arrangement and ceremonies
If you are planning a
civil marriage, Rochdale Register Office will be an ideal setting.
It is located in Rochdale's world famous grade one Gothic Town Hall
and is renowned for its unique architecture.
Marriage ceremonies take place
- Monday to Friday: 10am-11.30am and 2.30pm-3.30pm
- Saturday: 10am-3pm
Rochdale Register Office
The Register Office is located on the ground floor in the west
wing of the Town Hall.
The office has been completely refurbished and offers:
- Full access for disabled people and pushchairs.
- Toilet facilities that meet all the requirements for disabled
people; also includes nappy changing facilities for babies.
- A hearing loop system for the benefit of guests attending
ceremonies at the Register Office.
- 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.
The wedding room
The wedding room is air-conditioned and is tastefully furnished
and decorated. It will seat up to 34 guests with additional
standing room for about 15 guests. Wedding parties have their own
marriage entrance and waiting area, which includes toilet
facilities, chilled drinking water coolers and background music. 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
hi-fi music system in the marriage room. Music will automatically
be played unless you inform us otherwise. If you wish to
personalise your ceremony, you can supply your own CD or tape for
any part of your ceremony. 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 marriage providing that
prior arrangement has been made with the Register Office. Flash
photography is not permitted during the marriage ceremony as this
may detract from the solemnity of the occasion. You will be given
time at the conclusion of the ceremony for any photographs you wish
to take.
Gone are the days when a Register Office wedding meant a
ceremony held in front of an office desk. The options we offer
enable you to have the sort of ceremony that you wish, ranging from
a simple ceremony with two witnesses, to the inclusion of
bridesmaids and being escorted into the marriage, with music
playing and guests doing readings of your choice. Please remember
that any music or readings should not have any religious
connection. We will be happy to discuss any other enhancements to
the legal part of the ceremony and try and incorporate any cultural
or special requirements. If you are planning to enhance your
ceremony in any way, please advise and discuss with us before the
wedding day.
Where are we allowed to marry?
Register Office
You can choose to marry in any Register Office in England and
Wales. You must contact that office to book your required
date and time, once you have done this then you must contact your
local Register Office who will complete the legal paperwork for you
to marry.
Licensed Venues for Civil Ceremonies
These are venues that have been granted a licence by Local
Authorities in England and Wales. These venues tend to be
stately homes, civic buildings and hotels. You must firstly
arrange a suitable time and date with the venue and then arrange
for the Registrar from the local Register Office to attend your
wedding. Finally you must contact the Register Office for the
district you reside in to complete the legal paperwork for you to
marry.
Marrying in church
If you choose to marry in church you must check with the church
to see if they will marry you. The marriage laws will only
allow you to marry in a church that is in the same Local Authority
area that you live in, unless it is your usual place of
worship. Once you have decided on the church you must contact
the Register Office for the district you reside in to complete your
legal paperwork.
If you plan to marry in a Church of England church, the vicar
will normally complete your paperwork for you. (usually
called Banns). If he is unable to do this then he will advise
you to complete your legal paperwork through your local Register
Office.