Chester Town Hall

The grey and red sandstone, Gothic style Town Hall, with its tower and spire rising to a height of 160 feet was completed in 1869. It was opened on October 15th that year by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.

The building still retains its Victorian magnificence and is a prestigious venue available for public hire. We always aim to offer complete flexibility to our customers and we are very proud of the quality of service we provide.

The central location of Chester Town Hall makes it a popular choice for a wide variety of conferences and seminars. To complement the surroundings, and with an emphasis on quality and service, the Town Hall staff are on hand to ensure that functions are organised in a friendly and professional manner. With flexible room layouts and an extensive range of equipment, we can cater for most of our customers' needs.

Marriage and Civil Partnership Ceremonies

Since obtaining approval to hold Civil Marriage ceremonies, Chester Town Hall has become one of the most popular venues in Cheshire. Many couples have already appreciated the attractive nature of the interior, which is grand without being overwhelming.

There are four rooms available for wedding hire, three of which are approved for civil ceremonies. These are the Council Chamber, the Magistrates Room and the Committee Room. The large Assembly Room is the ultimate venue for those fun packed evening celebrations.

The Victorian carved stone foyer and waiting hall, with sweeping staircases where guests can gather, will provide rich colourful backdrops to your photographs, a reminder of a scene which poor weather cannot diminish.

Distinctive rooms in which to say 'I do'

The choice of room for the ceremony is entirely your own. It must be said though, that the deciding factor may be the number of guests you intend to invite. The Council Chamber, because of its setting is the most popular room, and is licensed to hold up to 120 guests. The two remaining rooms, each with their own individual character accommodate smaller numbers. The Magistrates Room, with balloon chandeliers that cannot fail to impress, is licensed for up to 50 guests. Smaller, but ideal for intimate ceremonies, is the Committee Room. Licensed for 30 guests, this room is encased in the history of Chester, shown on the City honour boards which line the walls.

The Ceremony

The Town Hall has played host to many varying styles of ceremony, from traditional events to more informal ones. Although no two ceremonies have been the same, an important ingredient common to all, has been the personal approach each Bride and Groom has given to ensure that their unforgettable moment is unique to them.

To personalise the occasion, you may wish to consider the inclusion of music during the proceedings. Live or otherwise, this popular enhancement can balance the importance of the day with the fact that it is a time of celebration.

Pre-drinks

With the formalities over, you can relax and enjoy a pre Wedding Breakfast drink with your guests. This is also an ideal time to introduce friends and relatives, and greet people you may not have seen for a while. Many couples now prefer to mingle at a pre drinks reception prior to dining, instead of the traditional greeting line.

Wedding Breakfast

Before you know it, you will be invited by a member of the Town Hall team to be seated for the Wedding Breakfast, so called because it is the first meal you will take together as man and wife.

Whether you have been married in the Town Hall or not, you are welcome to hold your Wedding Breakfast with us. Depending upon your guest list, you can choose to dine in any one of the four rooms described above. You may even be able to return to the room you took your vows in, which will have been transformed, according to your table plan, into a wonderful banquet setting.

Evening Celebrations

As your special day draws to a close, the evening festivities begin. There is nowhere better suited to this occasion than the Assembly Room. Being the largest room in the Town Hall, it allows for greater flexibility when selecting your party layout. You will be able to seat up to 280 guests, and still have room for them to dance the night away. The spacious stage will easily accommodate your band and disco, both of which will add atmosphere and fun ensuring your night goes with a swing.

The Assembly Room is also available for Evening Receptions, if you hold the rest of your celebrations elsewhere.