Marriages & Partnerships

Ceremonies at Frome Town Hall

Frome Town Hall is an elegant heritage building with the classic Bath Stone look dating from 1892. It has some gorgeous original features like the mosaic flooring. Situated in a conservation area, it’s an ideal location for photos either outside or nearly cobbled Gentle Street that dates back to the 7^th century, or Catherine Hill’s quirky slopes. We hold ceremonies on selected Saturdays, roughly once a month from Spring to Autumn. Frome Town Council run the venue, which we hire for ceremony days. Our staff manage the ceremonies and all the booking arrangements. It’s possible to hire the venue for your reception if you’re the last booking of the day. Contact Frome Town Council for more information.

This page aims to give you all the information you need about how ceremonies work at Frome Town Hall, from when to arrive to how the guests are seated. Let us know all the details we need to include to personalise your ceremony on your Pre Ceremony Check Form.

What your booking includes

Because this venue is run on a Register Office basis, when you make a booking it automatically includes your registrars. There's no need to book them separately as you would with an independent venue. Your booking also includes one copy of your certificate (you can request extra when making your payment.)

Timing

If you don’t want to see each other before the ceremony then one partner should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony time and the other should arrive 15 minutes after that. The first partner will be interviewed and then taken to the ceremony room while the second partner is then interviewed just before the ceremony begins. If you are happy to be interviewed together then you should arrive 20 minutes before your ceremony is due to start.

There are several ceremonies a day at Frome Town Hall, so being on time – neither too early or too late – is crucial. Ceremonies are timed to start at 10, 11, 12, 1.30, 2.30 or 3.30, depending on availability.

Access for ceremonies at Frome Town Hall

If the previous ceremony is overrunning or you are early then you and your guests may need to wait in an area downstairs. The Town Hall Staff will direct you as you arrive.

The registrar will make sure you can access the toilets without your partner seeing you if you need a quick comfort break when you arrive.

Parking

There is a small car park at the rear of the building with limited visitors parking for a period of two hours or less. All day parking is available in other areas.

Other nearby options include street parking on Park Road. There is also a Pay & Display opposite the Town Hall along South Parade.

You can find details of Frome car parks here

Disabled access

There are three disabled parking spaces in the vicinity of the building. There are two disabled spaces at the side entrance on Park Road and one in the Town Hall Car park behind the building itself.

Entry to the side of the building is level access which is wheelchair friendly. The ground floor is fully accessible, and there is a lift to the first floor. There are two disabled toilets.

Guests & Seating at Frome Town Hall Ceremonies

Guests for full ceremonies should arrive 10 minutes before the ceremony but no earlier. This avoids clashing with the preceding wedding party’s exit. Seating is up to you to organise – this is often the best man’s job. Remember to reserve seats at the front for any escorts in the entrance party such as bridesmaids or father of the bride. You don’t need to save seats for the couple as they will be standing throughout. Witnesses don’t need to be seated at the front. However it should be easy for them to hear the words of the ceremony and to make their way to the front for signing the schedule. Anyone who is performing a reading should have easy access to make their way to the front.

Room Information

The Emma Sheppard Meeting Room is on the ground floor. 20 chairs are set out in rows either side of a central aisle. You will enter from the back of the room and walk down the aisle to the registrar’s table at the far end of the room. The aisle is wide enough for someone to have two people walk beside them. You can have 20 guests at your ceremony, with babies on laps included in this number. This number doesn’t include the couple, photographer or registrars.

The Council Chamber is on the first floor. Up to 95 chairs are set out in rows either side of a central aisle. You will enter from the side of the room and walk down the aisle to the registrar’s table at the far end of the room. The aisle is wide enough for someone to have two people walk beside them. You can have 95 guests at your ceremony, with babies on laps as included in this number. This number doesn’t include the couple, photographer or registrars. There is a lift available.

If you would like to view the rooms in advance, please email Frome Town Council on nmehta@frometowncouncil.gov.uk

See our Costs page for up to date prices.

Music

Music for full ceremonies is played through our Bluetooth speakers. All tracks need to be downloaded on to a device with Bluetooth connection and operated by someone in the wedding party. This is often the best man’s job. The registrars will let them know when to start and stop the music. Please don’t rely on streaming music from Spotify etc on the day. Avoid using free apps so adverts don’t play during the ceremony.

Decoration

The rooms are dressed for ceremonies already with displays of fresh seasonal blooms and foliage. There isn’t time to decorate between each individual ceremonies as there are normally several weddings a day with a quick changeover. If you want to provide order of ceremony cards you can place hand these out as guests enter or place them on chairs just before the ceremony. Do please nominate someone to collect up any spares afterwards. You are welcome to bring your own flowers to place on the top table. Just have someone in charge of bringing them and taking them away afterwards.

Confetti

We have an eco-friendly confetti policy at our venues. Please only throw biodegradable paper and petals or blow bubbles – no plastic or glitter please as this won’t break down naturally. We also ask that you don’t throw rice, despite the tradition, as it attracts unwanted furry friends!

The only dogs that we allow at our own venues are registered service animals such as guide dogs or hearing dogs. This doesn't include emotional support animals. Please let us know in advance if any animals are due to attend in case of staff allergies.

Photo Opportunities

Your photographer is very welcome to take photos during the ceremony. Ask them to introduce themselves to the registrars so they can coordinate movements. We will always pause so the photographer can take signing pictures. The couple and the guests leave via the main door and photos can be taken on the Town Hall steps. Please be mindful that the next wedding will be arriving soon after your wedding finishes.  

Reception Options

If you are looking for a reception space nearby directly after the ceremony, lots of nearby pubs and restaurants have function rooms or space for large parties. Alternatively, the last ceremony of the day can book our rooms for a reception party.