Ceremonies at The Court House, Ampthill
Licensed premises for:
- marriage ceremonies, civil partnership registrations
- renewal of vows, baby naming
- citizenship ceremonies
- If your ceremony date is within 3 months please call 0300 300 8711 to book
- We only take bookings up to 2 years in advance
The Ampthill Room
The Court House, Woburn Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2HX
Ampthill is a small historic town with picturesque narrow streets lined with fine Georgian and Tudor architecture. The Ampthill Room is located in the former Magistrates' Court, a short distance from the town centre.
The room is bright and airy, decorated in heather and grey with comfortable seating for 60, with plenty of parking at the weekends and a grassed area for photographs.
What happens at the pre-marriage interview?
This is a short interview conducted immediately preceding your ceremony. The Registrar needs verbal confirmation of the information given at your notice of marriage or civil partnership appointment.
Do you have to give us any information regarding your guests and witnesses?
We just need the first and last name of your witnesses. We are unable to supply personnel to act as your witnesses.
How many guests can come to the ceremony?
A maximum of 60 attendees this includes yourselves, your witnesses, children, babies, photographer(s) and videographer(s). This will apply to all ceremonies taking place on or after 19 July 2021.
What will happen if you bring too many guests or are late?
If you bring too many guests, you may have to ask some of them to wait outside.
If you are late, we may have to reschedule your ceremony until later in the day.
What time should you arrive?
10 minutes before your ceremony time, come to the main doors at the front of the Court House, please do not attempt to enter the building, a registrar will collect you and your guests.
Can your father walk you down the aisle?
Yes.
Can you have a reading?
We are currently allowing you to have a reading, which we must see before your day and we will also need to know who will be delivering the reading.
Can you have your choice of music?
As long as we've agreed the music choices, you can bring your Bluetooth device, which you can connect to our music system. We cannot accept any other forms of music, but if you do not have a Bluetooth device, we will play our own background music for your entrance, signing of the register / civil partnership schedule and exit.
Photography of ceremony
You can have a designated photographer, who is required to remain stationary during the ceremony.
Videography and video calls
You can have a designated videographer, who is required to remain stationary during the ceremony.
Can you use the garden at the rear of the Court House for photographs?
Yes. You are able to use the outside space following your ceremony. Please be aware that couples marrying after you may also wish to use this space.
Can confetti be thrown?
No, confetti can't be thrown.
Legal declaration / contracting words and ring exchange promises
These are your legal vows. Under the Marriage Ceremony (prescribed word) Act, you must make one choice from the declaratory words and one from the contracting words.
Declaratory words (choose one of these)
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 (choose one of these)
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.
Words for exchanging of rings
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.