Celebrants and Other Ceremonies
Special Ceremonies - Your Ceremony, Your Way
In Kensington and Chelsea, we believe in giving couples the ceremony of their dreams: your ceremony, your way.
Whether it’s a big ceremony or small, you can customise your ceremony to exactly how you’ve dreamed it.
Celebrants
Our Celebrant Service offers you personalised service with an allocated member of staff who will guide you through every step of your journey with Kensington and Chelsea, from booking, to the day itself. We’ll be on hand to answer questions, guide you through options and ensure your day is smooth and memorable.
You can choose one of our experienced celebrants to come and conduct your ceremony anywhere in London, not just in Kensington and Chelsea.
Non-licensed Venues
Legal ceremonies must take place in licensed venues, but we can conduct a non-legal ceremony for you in any non-licensed venue or location, including outdoors. We can also make the ceremony legal by ensuring a marriage or civil partnership registration alongside this. Perhaps you’ve dreamed of getting married in a park, or by the river. Maybe your dream ceremony will happen on a boat. Whatever your dream venue, contact us today to discuss your personalised ceremony.
Special Occasions
It’s not just marriages and civil partnerships that we specialise in. We also offer naming ceremonies, renewal and reaffirmation of vows and commitment ceremonies. If there is a special occasion such as a 16th birthday, anniversary or even a pet’s birthday, our experienced celebrants can help you celebrate!
Special Rituals
Contact us today to discuss the non-religious rituals we can incorporate into your ceremony. From hand fasting and jumping the broom, to tree planting, we will work with you to personalise your special day.
Working with your Team
Your personal assistant, wedding planner of staff can be confident of establishing a strong working relationship with Kensington and Chelsea Register Office. We have great experience of working with external staff to create a strong team to make your special day a reality. Your staff and planners will have a named contact who will guide your ceremony journey from start to finish.
Small Ceremonies followed by a Party
If you need to have a small register office legal ceremony followed by a larger non-legal ceremony, contact us to plan your ceremonies.
Personalised Ceremonies
We recognise that everyone is an individual, with their own ideas about what their ceremony will entail. We will help you celebrate with the touches that are personal and special to you. We have carefully curated packages chosen by experts and specialists to fit your personal needs, so if you’re stuck for inspiration, contact us to help guide you.
Further information about non-statutory ceremonies can be found below
Commitment Ceremony
Commitment ceremonies are an opportunity for couples wishing to have a celebration where they may declare their love and commitment for each other in front of family and friends. Commitment ceremonies have no legal recognition.
Commitment ceremonies may take place in any of the approved venues in Kensington and Chelsea or at the Chelsea Old Town Hall itself. The cost is the same as a marriage or civil partnership: see "How much our ceremonies cost".
To make a booking, call us on 0207 361 4100 or e-mail [email protected]
Renewal of Vows Ceremony
This is a special ceremony for couples who wish to renew their vows in a unique and personal way.
Often a Renewal of Vows Ceremony is associated with a special anniversary but the ceremony is just as appropriate for couples at any stage of their union. This ceremony is a wonderful opportunity for couples to reaffirm their love for one another and one which their family and friends can share in.
Renewal of Vows ceremonies have no legal recognition.
Renewal of Vows ceremonies may take in any of the approved venues in Kensington and Chelsea or at the Chelsea Old Town Hall itself. The cost is the same as a marriage or civil partnership: see "How much our ceremonies cost".
You can check availability and book your ceremony online.
Naming Ceremony
A Naming Ceremony is an occasion for parents, family and friends to pledge their love and commitment to a child. It is an opportunity to celebrate the birth of a new baby or to welcome an adoptive child or step-child into their new family. Supporting adults, grandparents and older siblings are able to make their promises to the child and you can choose poems or readings to enhance the ceremony.
Naming Ceremonies can be arranged by anyone, from any cultural background and with any spiritual or religious beliefs. There is no age limit to a Naming Ceremony and more than one sibling may be named at the same time.
Naming ceremonies have no legal recognition.
Naming ceremonies may take place in any of the approved venues in Kensington and Chelsea or at the Chelsea Old Town Hall itself. The cost is the same as a marriage or civil partnership: see "How much our ceremonies cost".
To make a booking, call us on 0207 361 4100 or e-mail [email protected]
Citizenship Ceremonies
Any person who has applied for and been granted British Citizenship will be required to attend a citizenship ceremony to make a pledge of allegiance to His Majesty the King and the United Kingdom. At the completion of the ceremony the new citizen will be presented with their ‘Certificate of Naturalisation’ allowing them to apply for their British passport.
There are two types of ceremony that you may choose from. A group ceremony is held every Tuesday at the Kensington Town Hall and for which there is no charge; or a private ceremony which is held at the Chelsea Old Town Hall upon special request. Private Citizenship ceremonies can usually be arranged at very short notice, often within a couple of days, for an additional fee.
Public citizenship ceremonies with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are free and take place in the Council Chamber at the Kensington Town Hall, every Tuesday.
Private citizenship ceremonies take place in the Chelsea Old Town Hall, at a cost of £225.
Cost of a Non-Legal Ceremony
Winter season, 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023
Mornings (until 12pm):
- Monday to Thursday £610
- Friday £630
- Saturday £720
- Sunday £820
- Public Holiday £920
Afternoons (from 12pm):
- Monday-Thursday £620
- Friday £640
- Saturday £750
- Sunday £850
- Public Holiday £950
Summer season 1 April 2023 to 31 October 2023
Mornings (until 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £625
- Fridays £645
- Saturday £745
- Sunday £845
- Public Holiday £945
Afternoons (from 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £635
- Fridays £655
- Saturdays £770
- Sundays £870
- Public Holiday £970
Evenings (from 5pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £655
- Fridays £675
- Saturdays £800
- Sundays £870
- Public Holiday £995
Winter season 1 November 2023 to 31 March 2024
Mornings (until 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £615
- Friday £635
- Saturday £725
- Sunday £825
- Public Holiday £925
Afternoons (from 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £625
- Fridays £645
- Saturdays £755
- Sundays £855
- Public Holiday £955
Evenings (from 5pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £645
- Fridays £665
- Saturdays £785
- Sundays £855
- Public Holiday £985
Summer season 1 April 2024 to 31 October 2024
Mornings (until 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £640
- Fridays £660
- Saturdays 760
- Sundays £865
- Public Holiday £965
Afternoons (from 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £650
- Fridays £670
- Saturdays £785
- Sundays £890
- Public Holiday £995
Evenings (from 5pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £670
- Fridays £690
- Saturdays £815
- Sundays £890
- Public Holiday £1015
Winter season 1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025
Mornings (until 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £630
- Fridays £650
- Saturdays £740
- Sundays £845
- Public Holiday £945
Afternoons (from 12pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £640
- Fridays £660
- Saturdays £770
- Sundays £875
- Public Holiday £975
Evenings (from 5pm):
- Mondays to Thursdays £660
- Fridays £680
- Saturdays £800
- Sundays £875
- Public Holiday £1005
Certificates: £11
