Westgate Hall - your questions answered

There is a limit of 74 guests to be seated at Westgate Hall for a ceremony, which includes babies and children. The 74 limit does not apply to the couple themselves. Additional guests are not able to stand at the back.

Micro ceremonies are limited to 2 guests and 2 witnesses only.

There is likely to be more than one ceremony on that day so it is important that you are on time as the superintendent registrar will need to start the ceremony at the time you have booked. If you arrive late, the superintendent registrar will not be able to delay the ceremony and additional fees may incur for rescheduling of the ceremony which may not be on the same day. Therefore, you and your guests should allow extra time to travel into the City and find appropriate parking.

The groom (or party one) should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony time to be interviewed by the registrar in order to check that the personal details to be entered on the schedule are correct. This also gives you the opportunity to ask any last minute questions about the ceremony. The first party then enters the ceremony hall. The bride (or party two) should arrive 15 minutes before the ceremony to be interviewed before the ceremony then starts on time.  

If you wish to arrive together and be interviewed together, please arrive 30 minutes before your ceremony time.

Westgate Hall is in one of the most historic and picturesque areas of the City, but unfortunately does not have any parking facilities. You are welcome to park one ceremony car only outside Westgate Hall, providing that someone stays with the vehicle at all times. This is usually the chauffeur if you have hired a car. There are double yellow lines along the whole of Westgate Street, and the usual fines would apply. We ask that you make your guests aware of alternative parking nearby.

Parking at the Register Office is not permitted as that is reserved for ceremonies and appointments taking place there.

The ceremony room is situated on the first floor. This is accessed by stairs. There is a disabled lift available for wheelchair users and guests with mobility issues. Due to its dimensions and weight restrictions (as detailed below), it can only take one person along with a competent adult ‘buddy’ or one wheelchair user plus an adult. Staff will supervise use of the lift.

The lift cannot be used in the event of a fire. Persons unable to use the stairs or if the stairway cannot be accessed safely, would be directed to the exit leading to the refuge area outside on the walk way of the old walls to await the emergency services.

Buggies and pushchairs are to remain downstairs at all times.

The lift restriction is approximately 127 by 88 centimetres and a maximum weight of 150 kilograms (23 stone 8 pounds). The lift will only take a standard wheelchair, not a motorised one or anything bigger than the standard version.

As with anything electrical or mechanical, the facility of the lift cannot be guaranteed on the day. Thorough checks and testing of the lift are regularly undertaken, to minimise the risk of service failure.

The access to the door leading to the refuge area measures 79 centimetres wide, suitable for a standard wheelchair measuring 66 centimetres wide.

Please take these facts into consideration before booking your ceremony at Westgate Hall for you and your guests.

Westgate Hall is a dedicated ceremony venue and has been thoughtfully designed to give the room a real vintage and professional finish. It is beautifully decorated with winding flowers twisting around the old beams and romantic flower arrangements around the room. Additional arrangements cannot be accommodated.  

For fire, health and safety reasons we cannot allow a carpet to be put down or for any candles to be lit.

It is usual to have three pieces of music for your ceremony. This would mean something played for the big entrance, for the signing of the paperwork, and for the exit of the happy couple. The music should be suitable for a ceremony and have no religious meaning or references. We advise you to bring a speaker and jack with your mobile device and arrange for one of your guests to control the music.

We have a system which allows you to use a CD. If you would like to provide a CD on the day with your choices on, the registrar will play the music for you.

Harps vary in size and weight. The ceremony would be held upstairs and it would need to be carried up the stairs ready for the ceremony by the harpist, as the lift cannot take a harp. It is advisable to ask your harpist to contact us to discuss the practicalities of how to get the harp up the stairs before the day.

Southampton Registration Services cannot accept any liability for damages to musical equipment whilst on the premises.

You are welcome to take photographs or recordings of the ceremony as long as it does not interfere with the ceremony itself and that the flash is not used excessively. We will set the couple up for a 'mock-signing' at the end and there will be plenty of opportunities to photograph the couple in this traditional pose.

As the ceremony is a civil ceremony you cannot add any words, music or actions that are religious. This means that we cannot include words from the Book of Common Prayer, the Bible, or other religious books, and we cannot allow the playing of a hymn or any lighting of candles during the ceremony. You are, of course, allowed to have civil readings and music to enhance your ceremony. There are plenty of options for you to choose available online, and as long as they are suitable for the ceremony, they really do make your ceremony more individual.

Unfortunately, we cannot have any religious content in the ceremony. Many couples who would like a religious blessing, decide to arrange for their minister of religion to conduct a religious blessing at their place of worship afterwards. This is a lovely way to continue the celebrations once you have left the Westgate Hall and would give you real flexibility. A religious blessing should not take place before a civil ceremony.

You are welcome to add any detail into your ceremony as long as it does not compromise the dignity of the occasion or have religious meaning. You may wish to be given away by someone, add your own vows, exchange rings, or share a kiss once you have been declared married or in a civil partnership with each other.

Please contact us in advance of your ceremony to discuss your wishes.

You need two adult witnesses to sign the marriage paperwork and they can be friends or family members. Your witnesses must be credible witnesses and they need to understand the nature of marriage. If you have used a translator during your ceremony they must sign as one of the witnesses.

Confetti is a lovely tradition and looks stunning in your photographs.

The confetti must be natural dried flower petals or biodegradable confetti. This is to ensure that the local area and environment are unaffected. Confetti can only be thrown at the end of the walkway, away from the building. Foil/plastic confetti, fabric petals, or rice are not permitted to be thrown.

Unfortunately, the room will need to be ready for the next ceremony, therefore natural petals can only be thrown outside at the end of the walkway.

Westgate Hall is a Council building and therefore does not permit any pets or animals. This does not apply to registered assistance dogs.

Unfortunately, there is no food or drink permitted on the premises or surrounding area of Westgate Hall. With respect to our Westgate Street residents, any drinks to toast your union will need to be saved for the reception.

Please note: If you have opted for a micro ceremony, this is a basic ceremony to sign the paperwork only with none of the enhancements mentioned above included, such as music and readings.

Your certificate is your way of proving that you are married or now in a civil partnership. The ceremony fee you pay includes two certificates, which will be sent to you in the post after the ceremony. Visit Order a certificate to order more.