Are you planning to say “I do” at
Lady Gillfords House, Petteril Bank Road, Carlisle, CA1 3AJ
At Neil Ridley Photography, we believe intimate ceremonies deserve the same stunning images as grand celebrations.
Our Ceremony-Only photography packages are designed especially for couples choosing to marry at local Registry Offices, Town Halls, or smaller venues like Carlisle Registry Office.
Beautiful Wedding Photography for Your Carlisle Registry Office Ceremony
Choosing a smaller wedding at Carlisle Registry Office doesn’t mean compromising on stunning photography. These intimate gatherings are often the most genuine and emotional — and we capture every beautiful moment.
Ceremonies at the Carlisle Register Office take place at Lady Gillfords House, Petteril Bank Road, Carlisle, CA1 3AJ.
For any direct enquiries, couples can call the Register Office team on 0300 373 3730.
The ceremony room has a maximum capacity of 60 people.
By law, every wedding at Carlisle Register Office must have two witnesses. These can be friends or family members but must be over 16 years old, able to speak English, and understand what is happening during the ceremony.
The ceremony room is an extremely popular wedding venue in Carlisle Registry Office, especially during the busy summer months, so provisional bookings can be made up to two years in advance. To secure your ceremony date, couples are asked to email registration.service@cumberland.gov.uk with details of their wedding plans and a daytime contact number.
Marriage Ceremonies in Carlisle
You can get married at any licensed venue in England and Wales, as long as it has been approved by the local authority. Your marriage must take place at the venue you name on your notice of marriage. If you decide to change your venue, you will need to give, and pay for, a new notice of marriage to update your details.
Carlisle offers a wide choice of beautiful licensed venues, from historic buildings to modern hotels and unique spaces.
If you plan to marry in a licensed venue, you will need to book a registrar to attend and conduct the ceremony. Registrars can be booked up to two years in advance, but it’s important to check that a registrar is available for your chosen date before you confirm your venue booking. To arrange a registrar, couples can email registration.service@cumberland.gov.uk with their enquiry and a daytime contact number.
Every marriage ceremony requires two witnesses. They can be friends or family members, but they must be over 16, able to speak English and fully understand the ceremony.
On your wedding day, you and your witnesses will sign a Marriage Schedule — a one-page legal document needed to register your marriage. This schedule records details for both parties, including your full names, date of birth, address, occupation, and your parent or step-parent’s information if you wish to include it.
If your ceremony takes place in a licensed venue or civil setting (not a religious building), the Superintendent Registrar will keep the Marriage Schedule until the day of your wedding. If you are marrying in a religious building, you must arrange to collect the schedule beforehand and ensure it is delivered to the person performing the ceremony.
Civil Partnerships in Carlisle
A civil partnership is legally formed once you and your partner sign the Civil Partnership Schedule in the presence of two witnesses and a civil partnership registrar. Some couples choose a simple, legal signing only — others prefer to include a ceremony alongside the signing. While a ceremony isn’t legally required for a civil partnership, Carlisle Register Office offers flexible options to create a meaningful event if you wish.
The civil partnership schedule includes a short legal declaration that you must both acknowledge when you sign. You may choose to say these words to each other during your civil partnership formation.
A civil partnership must be held at the venue named on your notice of civil partnership. If you change your venue, you’ll need to give and pay for new notices. Couples can hold a civil partnership in any approved venue in England and Wales — Carlisle has a wide range of licensed venues to choose from.
If you plan to hold your civil partnership in a licensed venue, you must book a registrar to attend. This can be done up to two years in advance, but always check that a registrar is available before finalising your venue.
Flexible Packages to Suit Your Carlisle Registry Office Wedding
Our ceremony-only packages make it simple to get stunning wedding images — without paying for hours you don’t need.
We cover ceremonies at Carlisle Registry Office and venues across Lancashire and Cumbria.
2 hours – £400
Perfect for arrival, ceremony, confetti, group photos, and a short couple shoot nearby.
4 hours – £600
Ideal for capturing preparations, ceremony, extra portraits, or a small reception.
Favourite Portrait Spots Near Carlisle
Carlisle offers endless backdrops for beautiful portraits, just steps from the Registry Office:
