THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING MARRIED AT WINCHESTER REGISTRY OFFICE

Winchester Registry Office weddings can be just as beautiful and emotion filled as a big wedding in a stately home.

All you need is love.

If you’re thinking about getting married at Winchester Registry Office, you’ll be joining countless couples who have shared their vows in one of Hampshire’s most loved and character-filled ceremony spaces.

Tucked right in the heart of the city, the registry office blends Winchester’s timeless elegance with a welcoming, intimate feel. With its classic architecture, soft natural light and peaceful surroundings, it offers a beautiful backdrop that feels every bit as special as a grand venue — just with a touch more simplicity and charm.

Whether you’re planning a small, heartfelt ceremony with your closest people or a slightly larger celebration filled with music, personal readings and joyful moments, Winchester Registry Office is a wonderful choice for couples wanting a relaxed and meaningful city-centre wedding.

I’ve put together my complete Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Winchester Registry Office Weddings — so you can plan your day with confidence and a happy heart.

REASONS TO HAVE A WINCHESTER REGISTRY OFFICE WEDDING

First and foremost, it is a beautiful building. The steps outside are the perfect spot for family photos and make for a great confetti shot. It’s also really reasonably priced and if you get hitched on a Monday or Tuesday, you can keep your costs down.

Micro Weddings

If you’re looking to ‘do the paperwork’ and you’re having a humanist celebration at a later date, the Civic Hall is a must. Take a handful of your family, have the quickest ceremony ever, a few photos and then head somewhere close for a pint or a nice meal.

Excellent Location

Winchester Registry Office is perfectly situated in the heart of the city, just a short walk from Winchester train station. There’s convenient parking nearby, and if your guests are coming from out of town, you’ll find a fantastic selection of hotels within easy reach — including the Winchester Royal Hotel, Hotel du Vin, and the Mercure Winchester Wessex.

Perfect for Photos

I might be biased but I reckon the city centre has it all when it comes to photographs. Whether you want something totally romantic, or cool and funky, there are so many great spots in the city centre for awesome wedding photos.

Amazing Restaurants and Bars

Winchester is bursting with fantastic places to eat and drink, so you and your guests are truly spoiled for choice. Whether you’re craving classic British fare, fresh Italian, cosy gastropubs, or something a bit more exotic, there’s something to suit every taste — perfect for celebrating after your Winchester Registry Office wedding.

If you’re dreaming of a truly intimate wedding with only your closest loved ones, the Avalon Room is the ideal setting.

This beautiful space seats up to 6 guests, making it perfect for a small, heartfelt ceremony without any distraction from the moment that matters most. Flooded with charm and designed for quiet, meaningful celebrations, it offers a warm and elegant atmosphere for your vows.

If you’re planning a handfasting or humanist ceremony later on but need to complete the legalities first, the Avalon Room is a wonderful choice. Gather a handful of your nearest and dearest, exchange your vows, and then head out to celebrate however you please. Simple, relaxed, and full of love — no fuss, no messin’.

Its clean white walls give it a bright, modern feel, creating a beautifully calm backdrop for your ceremony. The simplicity of the space lets the emotion of the moment take centre stage, making it an effortless and elegant place to say “I do.”

The Westgate Room seats up to 16 guests, making it ideal for couples who want a warm and intimate celebration while still sharing the day with their closest family and friends. It’s a lovely choice for a relaxed, meaningful ceremony in the heart of Winchester.

I absolutely adore the Basing Room. It’s a truly luxurious space, full of stunning period features that give it a timeless elegance. The magnificent chandelier adds a touch of grandeur, casting a warm glow that makes the whole room feel wonderfully special — the perfect setting for saying “I do.”

The Basing Room seats up to 32 guests, making it ideal for couples who want an intimate celebration without compromising on style. It’s a beautiful choice for a heartfelt ceremony surrounded by your nearest and dearest.

The Castle Room has a charm all of its own. It’s a splendid space with a real sense of grandeur — the kind of room that makes your ceremony feel truly special from the moment you step inside. Its elegant features and spacious layout create a beautiful backdrop for saying “I do.”

The Castle Room is the largest available, seating up to 42 guests, making it perfect for couples who want to share their day with a slightly bigger gathering of family and friends while still enjoying an intimate, heartfelt atmosphere.

Got some questions?

CAN WE WRITE OUR OWN VOWS?

Lots of couples write their own personalised vows for their Winchester Registry Office Wedding and this gives a much less formal feel to proceedings. It’s so much nicer to write something that is meaningful . Try to print it onto cards or nice paper rather than having them on your phone, otherwise it will look like you’re both browsing Instagram during the ceremony on your wedding photos!

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?

Welcome to the Great British weather! It does rain quite often, so come prepared with lovely brollies. I’ll do my best to photograph your group shots in the rain, but please try to keep these to a minimum so you don’t end up soaking wet in your wedding outfits.

WE WANT PHOTOS ON THE STEPS OUTSIDE

The steps outside Winchester Registry Office are absolutely iconic and make for gorgeous confetti photos. The wonderful thing about Winchester is that they do allow confetti on the steps, and the staff are incredibly understanding and helpful. You’re usually given around 30 minutes, which is plenty of time to capture that classic moment.

To make the most of it, don’t forget to bring your own confetti and nominate someone to help organise two lines down the steps so everything runs smoothly. This helps us maximise our time and get that perfect shot. And once we’ve captured the essentials, we’ll move aside so the next couple can enjoy their moment too. Luckily, the surrounding area has plenty of beautiful backdrops for additional portraits.

READY TO MEET YOUR

WINCHESTER REGISTRY OFFICE

PHOTOGRAPHER

Weddings at Winchester Registry Office come in all shapes and sizes, but for many couples they’re beautifully intimate — shared with just a handful of close family and friends. That’s why I offer a mini wedding package designed especially for couples who are slipping away to tie the knot in a relaxed, no-frills celebration.

It’s a simple, stress-free approach, covering a few photographs as you arrive, full ceremony coverage, some family group shots, and a set of natural, easygoing portraits.

Just honest, informal photography for couples who want their registry office wedding to feel completely their own. To find out more about my Winchester Registry Office photography package, click the link below.

5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OUT OF

WINCHESTER REGISTRY OFFICE WEDDING

Because intimate, city-centre weddings are having a moment.

Let’s be honest: registry office weddings are having a serious moment. Long gone are the days when a ceremony here was seen as “no frills” — nowadays, city-centre weddings are intimate, stylish, and wonderfully down-to-earth. Winchester Registry Office, with its historic charm and central location, proves that small can absolutely be spectacular.

So, whether you’re planning a relaxed, low-key celebration or a chic, city-centre affair, here are my top tips for making the most of your Winchester Registry Office wedding…

Arriving by car? There’s lots of car parks in walking distance of the Winchester Registry Office.

If you’re arriving by car for a wedding at Winchester Registry Office, there are a few convenient options nearby. The closest is the Tower Street Car Park, just a short five-minute walk from the office. For slightly larger options, St. Giles Hill Car Park and Friarsgate Multi-Storey are both within easy walking distance.

Parking can get busy on Saturdays, so it’s a good idea to allow a little extra time, especially if you have guests arriving at the same time. If you’re hiring a chauffeur-driven car for your wedding, don’t worry — your driver can drop you off right outside the registry office, making arrivals and departures smooth and stress-free.

READY TO MEET YOUR

WINCHESTER REGISTRY OFFICE

PHOTOGRAPHER

Let’s capture your day, your way.

Registry office weddings are all about intimacy and authenticity — just a few loved ones, a handful of joyful moments, and your unique story. I specialise in relaxed, natural photography that lets you enjoy every second without stress or fuss.

From arrival to ceremony, family groups to casual portraits, I’ll be there to capture the real emotions and little details that make your day yours.

If this sounds like your kind of wedding, get in touch — I’d love to hear from you!