Congratulations, you’re engaged!
Whether you’ve already set your heart on one of our bespoke ceremony rooms as the venue for your wedding, or are only starting on your wedding planning journey, Register Offices are increasingly becoming the venue of choice for couples.
The flexibility and contemporary style of a Register Office wedding (not to mention the cost saving) over the longer and more traditional classic venue weddings offers up a whole range of possibilities for a chic and modern wedding:
“Register office weddings have long outgrown their somewhat dowdy image and notions of ‘one size fits all” says Lynn Hiskey, Ceremony Manager at Stowmarket Register Office. “Couples appreciate the simplicity of organising their wedding, the elegant bespoke ceremony rooms in Suffolk’s main towns and the flexibility this offers for their reception and party afterwards”.
Someone with an expert eye for details and stunning overall ambiance is Suffolk wedding photographer Dibbs Middleditch of Bushfirephotography:
“The beauty of a Register office wedding lies in its flexibility and the intimacy of the space and ceremony. Details matter: every detail contributes to the overall ambiance and the feel of the day. By focusing on these elements, you can transform a Suffolk Registry Office into a chic and sophisticated space, creating a wedding day that's both intimate and unforgettable.”
You probably already have an idea of the look of your wedding: sleek and minimalist? Boho chic or refined elegance? Here are the elements to consider:
1. Location, location, location - Choose the Register Office for your style
Main point: you don’t have to get married in your nearest Register Office!
All our Register Offices are in Suffolk’s main towns, but they are all different:
Grand staircase for your entry? Choose Ipswich. Bijou Grade II listed charm? The John Milton Room in Stowmarket is for you. Elope to the coast? Woodbridge or Lowestoft!
You get the picture – shop around!
Other factors to consider are your reception afterwards and your guests: do they require hotels? A Michelin-starred reception in a restaurant (in which case the Abbeygate Room in Bury St Edmunds is your place!) or Fish&Chips by the seaside (Woodbridge or Lowestoft again)?
Setting the tone: The stationery
It’s easy to overlook the finer details in favour of the bigger picture.
However, your wedding stationery is the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding. It offers them a hint of what to expect and provides essential information for their planning.
Whether you’re going for a classic, elegant affair or a modern and minimalist wedding, well designed stationery reflects your personality as a couple and makes your wedding feel more intimate and special.
Save the day cards and invitations are obviously vital, but don’t underestimate place cards and seating charts for your celebrations afterwards: they make it easy for guests to find their assigned seats and ensure a smooth flow of the day.
Last but not least, beautifully designed stationery serves as a cherished memento, reminding everyone of this special day.
The world's your oyster - Hair, make up, dress (and dress code!)
“With the more contemporary feel of a Register office wedding you can be incredibly chic and fashion forward”, says Dibbs: ”A Registry Office wedding doesn't mean compromising on style. Brides can rock a sleek jumpsuit or a midi dress with statement accessories. Grooms can opt for a perfectly tailored suit or a crisp linen shirt paired with a waistcoat. Encourage your guests to dress for the occasion – suggest a dress code that reflects the chic aesthetic you're aiming for.” As with all weddings – the best dress is the one that reflects your personality and makes you feel fantastic, regardless of the style.
“Sometime large weddings or religious ceremonies are not for everybody so what better way to have the wedding of your dreams and a place you can customise the ceremony and still go all out on the dress, the hair and of course the makeup. I mean what woman doesn’t want to feel her best on her wedding day in those pictures that last a lifetime. Just because it’s a Register Office wedding doesn’t mean you can’t go full on glam.” says Suffolk Make-up artist Victoria Bredfield. From a bold red lip or smoky eyes to understated ‘no makeup makeup’, just like with the dress, the best look is the one that matches your mood and your personality.
The Flowers - Centre stage for your bouquet
Our Register Office ceremony rooms are elegant, beautifully decorated and often in stunning historic buildings, but flower decorations are minimal. Add flower decorations with our Enhanced ceremonies (check with each office), but otherwise your bouquet is the star of the decorations show.
It is the finishing touch that pulls it all together:
“The wonderful thing about carefully selecting beautiful blooms with the guidance of your florist is that you can lay the bouquet in front of you whilst signing the marriage schedule so it doubles up as a centre piece for the table. Your photos will be extra special. What better way to re-use your bouquet on your special day!” advises Suffolk wedding florist Kaye Souter.
“This season’s style of natural, flowing, gathered look designs, they couldn't be better designed to use in this instance!”.
Make it personal – your wedding ceremony
The days of ‘5 minutes one size fits all ‘ceremonies are well and truly in the past when it comes to Register Office weddings: nowadays our Civil Ceremonies are just as personal as a venue or celebrant led wedding!
Some couples prefer the hugely bespoke option an Enhanced Register Office ceremony offers, with readings and vows they’ve written themselves. Others favour the simplicity and more minimalist style of a Traditional ceremony, with a more selective choice of declaratory and contracting words. How much you personalise your ceremony is up to you as a couple and the type of Register Office wedding you choose: your wedding, your way – and our teams are on hand to help with any questions you may have, even if you haven’t yet booked your wedding with us.
Anything goes - The music
One key element of your ceremony is the music: From classical to rock or a cross-section of all your faves, music sets the tone for your day.
Like all weddings, Register Office weddings have three main parts: the entrance (processional), the signing of the Marriage Schedule and the exit.
The aisle in a Register Office is generally shorter than at a traditional wedding venue, so we’ve asked the experts:
“Choosing music for your processional is such an important part of wedding planning. Music which has a special meaning to you as a pair is a must, especially when one of the couple are keeping the music as a surprise from the other” recommends Chris Slatter, of Scintillo String Quartet.
“For shorter aisles, starting your music from the chorus with a few bars of introduction before you begin your walk, or perhaps just the atmospheric beginning of your chosen piece, is a worthy consideration.”
In conclusion, a chic Register Office wedding can be both intimate and elegant, reflecting your unique style and love story.
The key lies in the balance of simplicity and sophistication, ensuring that every element contributes to the overall charm of your day. If in doubt - less is more!
Enjoy the planning and, as always, we're on hand to advise and help with any questions you may have!
