Weddings

The Shire Hall

Located in the heart of Woodbridge in beautiful Suffolk and surrounded by traditional inns, restaurants and historic quirky buildings, the magnificent 16th Century Shire Hall is steeped in history and provides the perfect setting for a Wedding or Civil Ceremony to say, "I do". Built in 1575 by Thomas Seckford the building has been a focal point of Woodbridge for almost 450 years and stands proud in the centre of Market Hill. Displaying its iconic 17th Century Flemish gabling and stone capping, with elegant long iron staircase either side of the large impressive arched doors, the Shire Hall is the perfect venue for photographs and creating those special memories!

Make your grand entrance via the stone steps into the airy Council Chamber with its splendid architectural columns, which comfortably holds up to 64 guests. The Shire Hall has step free access for those with limited mobility and public Wi-Fi and Bluetooth sound system for those who require it.  A wedding car can be parked off road at the back of the Shire Hall for the bridal couple to use, which also offers another space for a vehicle for those relatives or friends with limited mobility.

The Shire Hall is open to the public between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday and welcomes you to visit us by booking an appointment and start marking those special plans!

Booking Your Ceremony

The ground floor Council Chamber is licensed for wedding ceremonies and civil partnership ceremonies and can be hired. It is a large and airy room which can hold up to 64 people seated (plus the bridal couple, 2 registrars and our wedding officer, a total of 69 people) and is carpeted and curtained with pleasant furnishings.

Entrance the the Hall is from the main steps. A disabled persons access can be arranged. Photographs may be taken in and around the building. Food and drink are not permitted. Biodegradable confetti is permitted on the steps and cobbles outside the Shire Hall. The nearest public Pay and Display car parks are located at Theatre Street and Oak Lane, use the car park location map. The Council Chamber is open approximately half an hour before the ceremony commences.

The Superintendent Registrar and a Registrar perform the wedding ceremony and arrangements. Please read details further down the page, as these arrangements need to be made directly with their office. Please call 0345 607 2090 or visit Suffolk Registrars or use the link in the information below. 

The Shire Hall Council Chamber can be reserved provisionally by telephone on 01394 383599 between the hours of 9am-5pm Monday to Friday or email [email protected].

Photos credited by:  Hayley Denston Photography - www.hayleydenson.co.uk    Gemma Giorgio Photography - [email protected]     AmyLouise Photography - www.alphotographyessex.com    Drone shots and other wedding photographs by Awaken Images   rainywoodphotography.com

Guidance for those wishing to marry at the Shire Hall

Arrangements must be made with BOTH the Superintendent Registrars Office at 26a Quayside, Woodbridge, IP12 1BH and the Approved Premise to book the wedding venue and ceremony. Without the presence of the Superintendent Registrar and a Registrar there can be no marriage and any arrangements for the use of the premises depend entirely on their availability. It is therefore essential that the couple make an advance booking with the Superintendent Registrar for attendance at the Approved Premises as soon as can be accepted. A fee for this attendance will be payable before the ceremony.

To make an enquiry with the registrars please complete the webform on the Suffolk County Council website.

The couple will also have to give notice of marriage to the Superintendent Registrar(s) of the district(s) in which they live. This notice must be given in person by them both and is valid for twelve months. The couple should therefore attend the Registrar’s office where they live as soon as possible after notice can be given.

The couple should be warned that any arrangements made for a marriage to take place on the approved premises are dependent on –

• (a) The attendance of the Superintendent Registrar and a Registrar for the district in which the premises are situated and
• (b) The issue of the authority or authorities for marriage by the Superintendent Registrar(s) to whom notice of marriage was given.

Only civil, non-religious ceremonies can be permitted by the Superintendent Registrar. Any music, reading, works or performance which form any part of the ceremony must be secular. The content of the ceremony must be agreed in advance with the Superintendent Registrar who will be attending the ceremony.

Any rights of copyright for music, readings etc. permitted at the ceremony are a matter for the couple and the holder of the approval.