Marriages & Partnerships

Taunton Register Office at The Old Municipal Buildings

The Old Municipal Buildings on Corporation Street is home to Taunton Register Office. This beautiful listed building has just celebrated its 500th anniversary. Originally built as a grammar school by Bishop Fox and incorporated into the town in 1522, it’s steeped in history and is a really special place to say your vows. It’s bursting with period features like Tudor beams, stained glass windows, Victorian tiled floors and a grand oak staircase. No wonder it’s our most popular spot to say I do.

This page aims to give you all the information you need about how ceremonies work at Taunton Register Office, 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 are having a simple ceremony for yourselves and your two witnesses you should arrive 15 minutes before your ceremony appointment time. Your witnesses can arrive with you or just before the ceremony is due to begin. Couples having a full ceremony in the Vivary Room or Tudor Hall normally opt not to see each other before the ceremony. If so, one partner should arrive 20 minutes before the ceremony time and the other should arrive 10 minutes after that. We will interview the first partner and take them to the ceremony room while the second partner is then interviewed just before the ceremony begins. Couples having a simple ceremony in the Somerset Room are expected to arrive together with their witnesses.

Ceremonies have a 1 hour time slot in our diaries. This includes up to half an hour for the ceremony itself, time to seat the guests and photo opportunities afterwards. There are normally several ceremonies every day, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s essential that we keep things running smoothly.

Access for ceremonies at Taunton Register Office

The entrance for “2+2” ceremonies in the Somerset Room is through the main office entrance on the far left of the building. Our staff in the reception office will greet you on arrival.

The entrance for full ceremonies in the Tudor Hall or Vivary Room is through the double doors at the top of the stone steps from Corporation Street. Staff will greet you in the hallway and take you to the pre-ceremony interview room. There are seats for guests while they wait to be shown into the ceremony rooms. This happens around 10 minutes before the ceremony starts.

Parking

The nearest public parking is in metered spaces on Corporation Street and in The Crescent or Enfield public car parks. Guests may opt to use the park & ride services from the M5 or Silk Mills which has a stop on Castle Way.

You can find details of Taunton Car Parks here.

Disabled access

There are 2 disabled parking spaces at the far end of the building. These are shared with Somerset Museum so we can’t guarantee they will be available. You can access these by driving through Castle Green and turning right after The Hideout pub. You’ll need to display your blue badge, but will also need a parking permit that you should collect from our reception office.

Disabled access to the building is at the rear of the building on Castle Green. There is a wheelchair ramp between the building and the raised grass area, and another ramp to the reception door.  You’ll find level access on the far side of the building by the Castle Hotel but this involves a section over large cobble paving. There is a lift in the building near the main reception entrance for guests visiting the Vivary Room.

Guests & Seating at Taunton Register Office Ceremonies

Guests for full ceremonies should arrive 10-15 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 Tudor Hall has rows of seats either side of a central aisle. The entrance party will come in through a door at the back to walk up the length of the aisle. The couple exits through a door halfway up the aisle that opens to the public balcony area outside. It’s available Monday to Saturday.

The Vivary Room is on the first floor. There is seating for 38, including some window seats. Twelve chairs are arranged behind oak tables down each side of the room with additional seating in rows at the back. The entrance party has a short walk down the aisle to the front of the room. The couple will exit through the same door, down the stairs and out through the main double doors to the public balcony area. This room is available on Fridays and Saturdays only.

The Somerset Room is a working office that is used for simple ceremonies. It’s located on the ground floor next to the reception desk. We will invite witnesses to sit in our waiting room while the couple have their pre-ceremony interviews. These ceremonies are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

See our Costs page for up to date prices.

Music

Bluetooth speakers are available to play music for full ceremonies. 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.

Decoration

We have dressed the rooms for ceremonies already. 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.

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. Just get them to introduce themselves to the registrar so they can coordinate movements. Wedding parties normally take photos out on the public balcony after the ceremony. The steps can be a great place to arrange everyone so you can all be seen. There are some lovely spots nearby for a little couple shoot too. Popular locations include the Castle Hotel gardens and the Museum courtyard, Castle Green or a little walk up to Vivary Park.

Reception Options

You’ll find some great reception options close to the Taunton Register Office. Lots of our neighbouring pubs and restaurants have function rooms or space for large parties. This includes The Hideout, Mackenzie’s, Cosy Club, Pitcher & Piano and The Castle Hotel. Get in touch with them directly for details.