Can you have guests at a registry office wedding?

Short answer

Yes, you can have guests at a register office wedding. The room size sets the limit, so check with your local register office how many people it can hold. You will also need two witnesses to sign the legal paperwork.

Register offices welcome guests, and most couples bring family and close friends. The number of guests you can invite depends on the size of the ceremony room. Some rooms hold only a handful of people, while others are larger. Ask your local register office for the exact capacity before you send invitations.

You must have two witnesses aged 16 or over, and they can be guests you already planned to invite. If your guest list is bigger than the room allows, you could split the day: a small legal ceremony with a few guests, then a larger celebration elsewhere. Many couples do this to keep things simple.

Remember that civil ceremonies cannot include religious content like hymns or prayers. Poems, songs and non-religious readings are fine if the registrar agrees. Check with the register office about what is allowed, and confirm your guest count when you book. Rules can vary, so it is always worth asking directly.