Chelsea Pensioners Chelsea Old Town Hall
Chelsea Pensioners as witnesses to your wedding
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.
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
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.
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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