Get Married at Rye Town Hall!
Built in 1742, the elegant Georgian Town Hall in Rye is an ideal venue for your special day – whether it be a wedding, civil partnership, baby naming ceremony or vow renewal. A unique and historic setting in the heart of Rye, the Town Hall is within walking distance, over the cobbled streets, to a number of local reception venues.
Rye Town Hall provides a stunning back drop for the perfect photograph to remember your day. As well as being close to a number of beautiful settings, including the Gun Garden, which offers a delightful photo opportunity with views stretching out to the sea.
Arriving at the Town Hall, you make your way up the steps and through the wrought-iron gates into the Buttermarket, the open area beneath the main Chamber. In days gone by this was used, as the name suggests, for the sale of butter and cheeses when the town market was held outside the Town Hall.
From the Buttermarket, you step through the ancient oak doors and upstairs to the Main Chamber. This is where ceremonies take place, surrounded by oak panels detailing in gold leaf the names of the past Mayors of Rye from 1289. Once used as a courtroom, with the splendid Royal Coat of Arms looking down on you, the Main Chamber can accommodate up to 47 people seated, or up to 75 people sitting, also using the ledges around the room.
For smaller, 
more intimate ceremonies, chairs can be placed around the marble fireplace with its tavern clock above, seating up to 20 people.
The Mayor’s Parlour is also made available on the day for the Registrar to talk to the couple privately before the ceremony. The layout of the Town Hall means this can be done without them seeing each other prior to the ceremony, if desired.
In addition to this beautiful venue, Rye Town Council is pleased to offer you the services of the Town Crier. He will greet your guests on arrival and then escort the Bride to the Main Chamber. After the ceremony, when everyone is gathered outside, he will deliver the wedding ‘cry’, announcing your marriage to the town. If your reception is being held within the town, he can also lead you and your wedding party to the venue.
Inside the Town Hall and the Town Crier in action:
Download our ceremony information pack
Ceremonies Guidance – April 26
Rye Town Hall is offered only as a ceremony venue, and is not a Registry Office. To be married here you will need to book the Hastings Registrars to attend and officiate at your ceremony. The Registrars fee is payable separately to our fee for the hire of the Town Hall. For more information on the Registrars fees, and the legal process for marriage or civil partnership, visit East Sussex Registrars.