Ceremonies at The Court House, Ampthill
Ampthill is a charming historic town known for its narrow streets adorned with elegant Georgian and Tudor architecture. The Court House is located within the former Magistrates' Court, just a short walk from the town centre. Limited parking is available, along with a grassed area ideal for photographs.
Ceremonies at The Court House
The Court House offers a variety of ceremonies to suit different occasions and preferences:
- Marriages and civil partnerships
- The Ampthill Room: Available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, this is a spacious, bright, and airy room allowing you to invite 58 guests; you can personalize your ceremony with music, readings, a ring exchange, and personal vows
- The Woburn Room: Available on Monday afternoons for intimate, simple ceremonies; you can invite up to 5 guests, including your photographer, and can enhance the ceremony with a ring exchange and personal vows
- the Central Bedfordshire Register Office: Reserved for statutory ceremonies on Wednesday mornings, this option is for the couple forming a civil partnership or marrying, along with 2 witnesses
- renewal of vows and baby naming ceremonies: These ceremonies are held in the Ampthill Room on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
- citizenship ceremonies: Available for both groups and private individuals
Please note: Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies can be booked online up to 2 years in advance.
If your ceremony date is within 3 months
Please call 0300 300 8089 to book and pay by phone.
Ceremony guidelines
Ceremony selections
Kindly complete your online ceremony planner account no later than two weeks prior to your ceremony to inform us of your preferred choices.
Witness information
We require the first and last names of your witnesses. Please note that we are unable to provide staff to serve as witnesses.
Guest capacity for the ceremony
The maximum capacity for each ceremony room includes all attendees: two members of registration staff, the couple, witnesses, children, infants, photographers, and videographers. Please ensure you inform us of the total number of guests you plan to invite.
What happens if you exceed the guest limit or arrive late?
If your guest count exceeds the maximum capacity, some guests may need to wait outside.
In the event of a late arrival, your ceremony may need to be rescheduled for a later time on the same day.
Arrival time
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled ceremony time. Follow the signage directing you to the appropriate entrance. A registrar will greet you and guide your witnesses and guests to the designated waiting area.
Pre-marriage interview
A short interview will be conducted immediately before your ceremony. During this time, the registrar will ask you to verbally confirm the details provided during your notice of marriage or civil partnership appointment and make any necessary updates to the schedule.
Readings in your ceremony
Readings are permitted; however, they must be submitted for review and approval in advance via your ceremony planner account. Please also inform us of the individual who will deliver the reading. Kindly note that religious content is not allowed.
Music selection for your ceremony
You may choose your own music, provided it is pre-approved and played from a Bluetooth device compatible with our sound system, such as a smart phone. Other music formats cannot be accommodated. If you do not have a Bluetooth device, we will supply background music for key moments such as the entrance, signing, and exit. Please note that religious content is not permitted.
Photography during the ceremony
A designated photographer is permitted but must remain stationary throughout the ceremony.
Videography and video calls
A designated videographer is allowed and must also remain stationary during the ceremony.
Use of the garden for photographs
The garden at the rear of The Court House is available for post-ceremony photographs. Please be considerate of other couples who may also wish to use the space. Additionally, as a coroner's court may be in session, we kindly ask that you keep noise levels to a minimum.
Confetti usage
Confetti is not permitted at the ceremony or within the grounds of The Court House.
Legal declaration and contracting words (marriage only)
These are your legal vows. Under the Marriage Ceremony (Prescribed Words) Act, you are required to select one option from the declaratory words and one from the contracting words. Please ensure that these words are carefully chosen as part of your legal vows during the ceremony.
Declaratory words
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (name here) may not be joined in matrimony to (name here).
I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (name here), may not be joined in marriage to (name here).
By replying "I am" to the question "Are you (name here) free, lawfully, to marry (name here)?"
Contracting words
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I (name here), do take thee (name here), to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.
I, (name here), take thee, (name here), to be my wedded wife/husband.
I, (name here), take you, (name here), to be my wedded wife/husband.
Ring exchange words for marriages and civil partnerships (if required)
If you wish to include the exchange of rings, the following words may be used:
The love that I have, is all that I have, and the love that I have is yours. The love that I have of the life that I have, is yours and yours and yours.
With this ring, I vow to laugh with you in joy. To grieve with you in sorrow. To be faithful to you, and to cherish and respect you as long as we both shall live.
I give this ring as a token of the vows made between us this day. I receive this ring as a symbol of our marriage and the commitment we are making today.
I give you this ring as a token of my love and loyalty. And as a lasting reminder of the vows made between us this day.
I promise to love and care for you, to comfort and protect you, to listen and confide in you, to respect your thoughts and your dreams and to trust and believe in you, above all others.
Please note, you may also personalise your ring exchange wording to reflect your unique preferences.