Windsor, The Wedding Town

The eyes of the world have been on Windsor for many a royal wedding.  Windsor Castle has been the setting for the wedding ceremonies of The Earl and Countess of Wessex (1999), The King and The Queen Consort (2005), Peter Philips and Autumn Kelly (2008), The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (2018) and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank (2018).

Wedding experts will have guided the royal couples before their marriages at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and professional advice is available to you too.

Majestic Windsor Guildhall is the most popular ceremony venue in the Royal Borough and it is easy to see why with its grand chandeliers and royal portraits hanging from every wall.  In 2005 The King married The Queen Consort in the Guildhall's Ascot Room followed by a Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Later that year, Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish had their civil partnership in Windsor Guildhall too.

The knowledgeable staff at Windsor Guildhall can check dates, show you the ceremony rooms and answer your wedding questions. 

Contact Windsor Guildhall by emailing guildhall@rbwm.gov.uk for further details about this stunning venue.

Image: www.jessicajager.co.uk

Registering the wedding

Just like The King and Sir Elton, your wedding in the royal borough will be performed by one of the wonderful registrars.  A ceremony can be booked up to 12 months in advance.  The registrars will guide you through the booking process and are always on the end of a phone should you need them.

Call them on 01628 796422 or email registrar@rbwm.gov.uk

Image: www.paulstott-photography.co.uk

Official engagement photos in Windsor

Celebrating your engagement with a photo shoot is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer and get used to the camera before your big day.  Less formal than wedding day photos this is a chance to capture relaxed natural photos to treasure. With the backdrop of a castle, river and beautiful park, Windsor is a unique location for your photos.

Read why Windsor-based photographer Abi Moore believes the pre-wedding shoot is so beneficial.

Images: www.photographybyabimoore.com

Do you want a weekday or weekend wedding? Summer or winter? Early or late in the day?  Venues are generally cheaper on weekdays so consider your budget when making the decision.  Are you planning a celebration on a royal scale with 500+ guests or a quiet lunch in a favourite restaurant?  Is a grand stately home your dream venue or does a marquee suit your taste. 

The Runnymede on Thames Hotel has provided seven essential tips to help you plan your perfect day.

Windsor offers a vast variety of reception venues, hotels and restaurants. Visit our venues section for a comprehensive guide to finding your perfect setting.

Top Tip
By choosing a separate ceremony venue from your reception you will have a natural break in the day when the photographer can whisk you away for photos of just the two of you.

Large numbers can be accommodated at Ascot Racecourse and Beaumont Estate.  For intimate dining, Gilbey’s and Caldesi are good options.

Ascot Racecourse

Stately Cliveden provides the WOW factor. The Boatman and Sir Christopher Wren Hotel offer the River Thames as a backdrop.  You could even take to the water with French Brothers.

Cliveden

You might prefer a marquee that offers a blank canvas, literally, to style as you please. Wedding stylist and caterer Goose&Berry knows all about marquee receptions and offer for these six helpful points.

Image: www.gooseandberry.co.uk

Accommodation for your wedding guests

Royal Windsor Information Centre's Accommodation Booking Service is a useful resource as the knowledgeable staff will be delighted to recommend and help you source hotels for yourselves and your guests to suit a variety of requirements and budgets, as well as answer any Windsor-related question.

Call 01753 743907 or email the Information Centre team for further details.  Alternatively you can browse our comprehensive accommodation listings.

After you’ve booked the registrar and venue, picked your caterer and enjoyed sampling menus the fun can really start with dress shopping, cake tasting, and designing invitations.

Image: www.gooseandberry.co.uk

Windsor Guildhall has floral arrangements in the ceremony room so you only need to plan the reception flowers and your bouquet. Familiar with local venues, Natalie at LUXE Flowers can advise on what works well and the trends for the season.

To add a touch of royal floral tradition, include Lily of the Valley in your bouquet.  The flower symbolises purity, happiness, luck and humility and can be seen in the wedding bouquet of royal brides throughout the years including the Windsor weddings of The Countess of Wessex, The Queen Consort and The Duchess of Sussex.   

LUXE Flowers

Top Tip
If you are marrying in late December venues will be adorned in Christmas decorations.  Find out their colour scheme and plan your flowers accordingly.