When should we arrive?

You should arrive around 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony. If you are arriving separately that is fine, just stagger your arrivals.

The ceremonial car will be let through the barrier and the registrars will then meet you, your partner should wait with the guests for the registrars.

The registrars will need to speak to you privately to check the details to be entered in the register. You will also be asked to give your mother and father’s full name and occupation.

Where can guests park and what is the cost?

Entry to the visitors’ pay and display car parks are via Topsham Road. There are 96 spaces, which includes two disabled spaces. This is normally sufficient, but parking cannot be guaranteed and you should allow yourself enough time to find alternative parking if necessary.

The charges are:

• up to 30 minutes: free
• between 30 minutes and 1 hour: £1.10
• between 1 hour and 2 hours: £2.20

These charges operate from Monday to Friday, between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm and are subject to change at any time. Please note that County Hall reception staff are not able to provide change for the parking meters. Payment may be made using cash, by phone or using the downloadable pay to park app.

As previously mentioned, the ceremonial car will be granted access through the barrier. This is also true for any disabled guests that are holders of a Blue Badge. For this, we will need you to email us the registration plate numbers, along with your booking reference number, no later than two weeks before your ceremony. Emails should be sent to ceremonies-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.

Please note that access cannot be granted if the registration plate details are not sent.

Where are the toilets?

There are toilets within Bellair. Gentleman’s toilets are downstairs and ladies upstairs. The disabled toilets are located near the disabled entrance.

What time should guests arrive and where should they go?

Please follow the ‘ceremonies’ signs from the main reception to our dedicated waiting area within Bellair.

We do ask that no one enters the ceremony room until advised to do so by the registrars and that noise is kept to a minimum as other ceremonies could be taking place.

How many guests can we have?

The ceremony room holds 20 plus the couple, this number must include any children, babies, photographers, or videographers you may have.

Can we decorate the space?

As we do multiple ceremonies each day at County Hall, we do not allow the decoration of the ceremony spaces.

Is there an aisle?

There is a short aisle in the ceremony room.

Can we have music and how is it played?

Yes, you are welcome to have music but it must not be religious in any way and needs to be approved by us so all the tracks you wish to use must be stated on your preference form.

We do not provide anything to play music on so we recommend that you bring a Bluetooth, battery operated, speaker and a have a guest operate the music on a phone from their seat.

Can we have confetti?

Confetti is permitted provided it is bio-degradable, please note it is only allowed in the grounds, not the rooms.

Can we have drone photography?

Drone photography is not permitted within the grounds of County Hall.

Can we write our own script?

All our registrars write their own ceremony scripts so they are all different and cannot be adapted. We do allow the inclusion of up to three readings, to be read by friends or family members. These will be placed throughout the ceremony in the order you add them to your preference form.

You may also have short personal vows for after the ring exchange, again we will need to approve these so they will need to be added to your preference form or emailed to us.

How long do we have the space for?

Ceremonies take between 25 and 30 minutes.

Are there areas for photos afterwards?

There are lots of spaces within the grounds of County Hall for photos, we just ask that you are mindful of other ceremonies that may be taking place after yours.

Do we need an order of service?

No, there is no need for an order of service.

If you have any further questions, please email us at ceremonies-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.