Marriage - arrangement and ceremony
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-4pm
- Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Rochdale Register Office
The Register Office is located on the ground floor in the west
wing of the Town Hall and offers:
- 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 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.
Register Office
This room is available for marriage and civil partnership
ceremonies, at the statutory ceremony fee. It is available for
ceremonies Monday – Friday (excluding Bank Holidays ) and can
accommodate the couple and 2 witnesses only.
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.
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.
Provisional bookings
If you wish to have your civil ceremony in the Roche Suite or at
a licensed venue within the borough, you can make a provisional
booking with us to secure a date and time for your ceremony.
Provisional bookings can be made up to 2 years in advance of the
ceremony and are subject to a fee of £25 which is a one off fee and
non-refundable. Should you wish to make a provisional booking,
please contact the office.
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.