Chelsea Pensioners Chelsea Old Town Hall

Chelsea Pensioners Chelsea Old Town Hall act as witnesses to your Chelsea Register Office civil wedding ceremony here on the famous Chelsea steps congratulating a bride and groom
“At Chelsea Old Town Hall it is popular for couples who have chosen to marry in secret or without guests to ask Chelsea Pensioners to act as witnesses. They add a splash of colour and fun to your ceremony.”

Chelsea Pensioners as witnesses to your wedding

A bride and groom meeting two Chelsea Pensioners from the Royal Hospital in the waiting area inside Chelsea Old Town Hall

How many witnesses do I need and who can they be?

You need two witnesses for your Chelsea Register Office wedding. There is no legal age limit, but witnesses must understand the language of the ceremony and have the mental capacity to understand what is taking place. Register Office staff are not allowed to act as witnesses.

I have photographed two weddings with one witness aged 13, the other aged 14, and me the second witness on both occasions. You should agree this in advance with your Register Office and explain that your younger witness is mature enough to understand what is taking place. [Some Register Offices insist that witnesses are 16 or over, but this is not a legal requirement]

At Chelsea it is popular for couples who have chosen to marry in secret or without guests to ask Chelsea Pensioners to act as witnesses. You can arrange this via the RBKC Register Office (contact details below).

You do not need to know your witnesses.

A Chelsea Pensioner acting as a witness to a couple's civil marriage ceremony in the Rossetti Room at Chelsea Old Town Hall

How do I book Chelsea Pensioners to act as witnesses to my civil partnership or marriage?

CONTACT

Marry Me in Kensington and Chelsea
Chelsea Old Town Hall
King’s Road
Chelsea
London SW3 5EE

T: 020 7361 4100
E: registrars@rbkc.gov.uk

 

How to book Chelsea Pensioners to be a witness to my wedding via the Royal Hospital
Do we have an opportunity to meet the two Chelsea Pensioners before our ceremony?

Yes. They arrive in good time so that you can meet them in the waiting area on the first floor of the Kensington and Chelsea Register Office inside Chelsea Old Town Hall.

A bride and groom on the famous Chelsea Old Town Hall steps with two Chelsea Pensioners throwing confetti
What do they do on the day?

They say ‘hello’ and introduce themselves to you in the waiting area inside Chelsea Old Town Hall

When you are called through for your pre ceremony interview with the Registrar they are invited into your ceremony room where they take their seats

They act as witnesses to your exchange of vows

When you have both signed the Register they are invited forward by the Registrar to sign as your official witnesses

Once you have been given your official marriage certificate the two Chelsea Pensioners are invited by the Registrar to go outside onto Chelsea Old Town Hall’s famous steps for the confetti throw. Please ensure that you have brought confetti with you (you can purchase boxes at the reception office)

After the confetti has been thrown they are usually more than happy to pose for a photo or two and after this they say their goodbyes and head back to the Royal Hospital for a well earned cup of tea

If you have booked your ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall please have a look at my Chelsea page for more information (including pricing).

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