Getting married in the city
Worcester’s county register office is in the Glass Room at The Hive, the city’s landmark library, a short walk from the river. It’s a modern, light room, and afterwards you can head out on to a covered walkway, which is handy if the weather turns.
If you’d like more history, the city has some characterful licensed buildings:
- The Guildhall, High Street: a grand civic building right in the centre.
- The Commandery, Sidbury: the Royalist headquarters during the 1651 Battle of Worcester, with a Great Hall, a minstrels’ gallery and a herb garden.
- Diglis House Hotel, Severn Street: a Grade II-listed Georgian house on the banks of the Severn, with room for up to 150.
- The Museum of Royal Worcester and the City Art Gallery & Museum, both licensed for ceremonies.
Many Worcester couples also marry in one of the city’s churches. I’m used to working discreetly during church services, within whatever limits the minister sets.
Venues just outside Worcester
Head north and you’ll reach Curradine Barns at Shrawley, with red-brick barns, a secret garden and open fields. I’ve photographed weddings there. Further south, towards the Malvern Hills, is Birtsmorton Court, a moated manor house that I’ve also photographed. Both have their own venue guides on my site. On the city’s western edge at Lower Wick, I’ve photographed weddings at Bennetts Willow Barn, a relaxed, festival-style farm venue with a rustic barn and a yurt marquee. Further west, over the border in Herefordshire, I’ve also shot weddings at Homme House and Bredenbury Court Barns.
