If you're looking to get married at Brighton Registry Office I have lots of information and advice for you. Brighton Town Hall is a Grade II listed building which was built in 1830. It has impressive fluted columns by the entrances and a beautiful staircase inside. They offer weddings for 2 - 120 people.
Pricing (based on 2023-2024)
Let's look into the cost of getting married in the Regency Suite at the registry office. The Regency Suite includes the Regency Room, the Fitzherbert Room and the Ante Room.
Monday - Thursday £265
Friday £365
Saturday - Sunday £505
Bank Holidays £630
Monday - Thursday is the cheapest so if you're able to have your wedding ceremony on a week day then it's a great way to save a bit of money.
Which room should you use for your ceremony?
Brighton Town Hall has three different rooms available to use for wedding ceremonies. The Regency Room (most popular), the Fitzherbert Room and the Council Chamber.
The Regency Room
The Regency Room is my favourite room, it's a lovely neutral colour with a beautiful herringbone floor and walls decorated with paintings. It seats up to 46 guests and the doors open up onto Bartholomew Square where you can exit through a confetti tunnel.
The Fitzhertbert Room
The Fitzhertbert Room is great for micro weddings as it only seats up to 8 guests. It has a subtle green and gold colour scheme with a neutral herringbone flooring. It's a lovely bright space with lots of nice window light.
The Council Chamber
The Council Chamber is on the second floor and it's the largest room they have to offer seating 120 guests. I wouldn't chose this room unless you need a larger space because it's very dark and not as nice as the bright, modern rooms downstairs.
Parking and Transport
Brighton is terrible for parking so I would avoid driving in yourself. If you can get a taxi or a wedding car to drop you off outside that would be best. If you want to take public transport Brighton Station is a 15 minute walk or you can get the 12, 12A or 7 bus to the bottom of North Street which is a short 4 minute walk to the Town Hall. If your only option is to drive I would either park at Churchill Square carpark which is £5.50 for up to 2 hours and a 10 minute walk away or The Lanes car park which is much closer but £9 for 2 hours.
Before the ceremony
I would suggest arriving no more than 20 minutes before your ceremony because they have lots of weddings back to back so they can't let you in too early. There are a few seats inside the town hall where you can wait inside before the ceremony starts. The registrar will come and get one partner around 10/15 minutes before the ceremony to talk to them and check through the legal documents, then they will be allowed into the ceremony room. The second partner will then be called in to check the documents and speak with the registrar, they can then stay in the adjoining Ante Room where they usually wait until the ceremony starts. They will give you the option to enter through the central back door which is the door from the Fitzherbert Room or you can come in from the side door from the Ante Room. I would suggest entering from the side door because it gives you a longer aisle walk.
During the ceremony
For a ceremony in the Regency Room you may be asked where you want to stand or if you want to sit. They can have you off to the side in front of the fireplace, I wouldn't recommend this as not all of your guests will be able to see you. I would recommend standing in the middle facing each other, that way all of your guests can see you and your photographer can stand at the front to get you and your guests in the photos. If you want to stand at the front facing your guests your photographer can stand in the aisle or at the back of the room but you won't see your guests' faces. If you do want to sit down for part of it you can but remember when you stand up to face each other and stand in the middle. The ceremony usually only lasts 15 minutes, if you want it to last a bit longer you could get a family member or friend to do a reading or you could write personal vows.
If you want music to be played during your walk down the aisle and during the signing of the register then make sure you have a family member or friend to do that for you. They do have a bluetooth speaker you can use but I would recommend bringing your own just incase you can't connect to their one.
After the ceremony
After signing the register they will hand you your marriage certificate and announce your marriage. If you want confetti (highly recommend) then you can exit back into the Ante Room whilst your guests line up outside ready for the confetti tunnel. You can then walk back out onto the Square in a cloud of confetti! After everyone has congratulated you I would recommend doing your group shots (if you want them) and then go off for some couple shots.
Where can we have our couple portraits?
In Brighton you're spoilt for choice with locations for your photos. If you want some inside the town hall they have an amazing staircase which is a great spot. Outside the town hall is the lanes, lovely little streets filled with independent shops which can be a great place for some photos too. Then you can head to the beach which is only a two minute walk away from the town hall, you could go to the pier, get ice creams, drinks, go on the carousel, the arcade, the bandstand or even go for a dip in the sea if you're brave!
How to book your ceremony
To book your wedding ceremony you will need to contact the registrars by email ceremonies@brighton-hove.gov.uk or phone 01273 292 016. After you have booked the venue you will need to give notice to your local registry office. You must give notice at least 29 days before you get married, but no more than 12 months in advance. You must have lived in the district where you are giving notice for at least 9 days. If you live in Brighton & Hove, your register office will be Brighton Town Hall. If you live in different registration districts you and your partner will need to give notice separately. The cost of giving notice is £35 per person. You must bring certain documents to your appointment including your passport and proof of address. You will be interviewed separately and you will be asked simple questions about each other. For more information click here.
Where can we have our reception?
Brighton Registry Office is in the centre of Brighton so there are lots of pubs and restaurants to choose from if you want a low key reception like The Mesmerist, Al Duomo, The Ivy, Pizza Pilgrims to name a few. If you want a venue to hire there are some great options like Patterns, Fabrica, Brighton Music Hall, Rockwater Hove, or the i360.
If you need a photographer for your wedding please get in touch, I love a Brighton wedding!