Celebrate your special day, your way Historic wedding venue

Steeped in centuries of history and character, the Bury St Edmunds Guildhall offers the wedding setting of your dreams, rich with atmosphere and timeless charm.

Located in the heart of the picturesque market town of Bury St Edmunds, this beautifully restored landmark provides a distinctive backdrop for a truly memorable wedding day. From intimate elopements to grand ceremonies and one-of-a-kind celebrations, our range of thoughtfully curated packages allows you to choose the experience that suits you perfectly.

Weddings at The Guildhall Our Wedding Packages

Smyth

Complete Exclusive Hire

Enjoy the full Guildhall wedding experience set within the historic courtroom and elegant Georgian banqueting hall, where centuries of character create a breathtaking romantic backdrop to celebrate your vows. With enchanting gardens and dedicated planning support to ensure your day is the timeless event of your dreams.

Bright

Elopement Weddings

Celebrate your love story in your choice of our beautifully intimate rooms, surrounded by up to fifteen of your nearest and dearest guests. After your ceremony raise a glass together with a celebratory drink included in this perfect package.

Twilight

Say “I do” bathed in starlight within our magical walled gardens, then celebrate throughout the night with delicious grazing board, drinks and dancing in the moonlight. A wonderfully romantic way to begin your forever.

Oakes

Ceremony, Fizz & Canapes.

Tie the knot in our atmospheric historic courtroom followed by fizz and exquisite canapes in the gorgeous walled gardens. A perfectly relaxed and elegant way to mark the moment with the ones you love.

Spink

Ceremony & Wedding Breakfast

Exchange your vows in the atmospheric courtroom before enjoying a delectable wedding breakfast in the breathtaking Georgian Banqueting hall. With beautiful gardens and attentive support this package lets you simply soak in the joy and romance of your day.

Jermyn

Wedding Reception Only.

Gather your loved ones for an evening filled with heartfelt toasts, joyful laughter and endless fun. Our reception-only package creates a memorable evening of music, dining and unforgettable moments to last a lifetime.

Wartime

1940’s Themed Wedding

Exchange your vows with a touch of vintage charm in the only surviving WWII ROC Operations Room in the country. Step back into the spirit of the 1940’s and get married with a touch of wartime romance as this package captures the love and timeless devotion of an era defined by unyielding love.

New Year’s Eve

Be the first to get married at The Guildhall on New Years’ Eve.

Begin your new year with a new marriage. With exclusive use of the Guildhall, incredible spaces and room for all your loved ones, this package turns your wedding ceremony into a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Suppliers

Bring your vision to life with our carefully curated list of trusted local suppliers. From exceptional caterers and talented florists to beautiful décor and finishing touches, everything you need to create your perfect day.

The Guildhall can provide a fully stocked and staffed bar.

Discover Our Venue

Step inside the Guildhall and uncover a collection of remarkable historic rooms, each with its own story and atmosphere. From the grandeur of the courtroom to the elegance of the Banqueting hall and the magic of the walled garden, explore the spaces that make every celebration here truly unforgettable.

Instalment Plans

We know that your wedding is one of the most important moments in your life, but managing the cost can feel overwhelming.
Spread the cost with 25% payments at the time of booking, then at six months, three months and one month before your wedding day, giving you peace of mind as the big day approaches.

WWII Ops Room Private Viewing

For the couples seeking something a little different from the traditional venue, add a private viewing of the only surviving WWII Royal Observer Corps operations room in the country for your guests.

By Awaken Images

“We got married here in April and cannot fault The Guildhall. The staff were extremely helpful and the building and grounds are simply fantastic. Jill and Katie were very accommodating and made everything very easy with no stress.”

Mrs. J – April 2025

“The wedding…was wonderful! Everything went very smoothly, and many people, not surprisingly, remarked on what a beautiful venue The Guildhall was. We want to thank you…for making our wedding a happy and memorable experience.”

Mrs. R – April 2025

“The venue was perfect; we rolled from a historic wedding room to a beautiful walled garden for pictures and canapes, back inside to the grandiose main hall for speeches and food, only to find a bar and disco had sprung up. I want to do it all again next year.”

Mr. R – April 2025

“Brilliant day and evening, thank you so much for everything!! We had a fabulous day – everyone absolutely loved the day!! “

Mr & Mrs L, Aug 2024

“Chris and I have made it to Norfolk for our mini moon and are relaxing in our hotel room, reminiscing about how well our day went. Thank you sincerely for all the work and effort you put in to make the day such an incredible success. We were delighted”

Harry & Chris. Aug 2024

“A huge thank you to you and the team for our amazing day! “

Mandy & Matt Aug 2024

“Thank you so much for Thursday, you all made it very calm and exciting and we had a lovely day”

Mr & Mrs N – May 2024

“Thanks to you and your team for making our day so special”

Mr & Mrs C – February 2024

“We had our wedding outside in the gardens. It was absolutely beautiful, perfect weather and it all ran very smoothly. It’s the perfect location, especially for a micro wedding and I’d definitely recommend it.”

Mrs P – June 2023

“Thank you for giving us the venue of our dreams and working hard to ensure our special day ran smoothly.”

Mr & Mrs H – October 2022

“The venue is gorgeous – plenty of character, yet functional and spacious, with a lovely garden for photos. The general manager was friendly and forthcoming and provided invaluable guidance in helping us plan our day. Would recommend for any function.”

Mrs R-H – August 2022

your wedding, your way

Whether you’re dreaming of a grand event, intimate ceremony or an event with a little sparkle making your vows at the breathtaking Bury St Edmunds Guildhall ensures a unique and stunning backdrop for your special day.

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More about our weddings Frequently asked questions

What is included in the wedding hire?

For weddings, we include tables, chairs, a Bluetooth speaker for music and a PA system for a small additional charge.

Please see wedding packages for more details.

Is there parking available at the Guildhall?

There is limited parking available, with one space reserved for the registrars during your ceremony. All parking must be agreed upon by the Guildhall office beforehand.

Are you dog friendly?

Yes, The Guildhall is dog friendly for wedding ceremonies only.

Is there disability access?

The Guildhall, gardens, courtyard and toilets are all wheelchair accessible. There is a lift to the first floor if this area of the building has been booked.

Can we provide our own bar?

The Guildhall does not allow you to provide your own bar.

Can we provide our own caterers?

We charge an admin free of £150 and caterers must ensure that they have :

– £5 million public liability insurance.
– Minimum level 4 Food Hygiene.
– Any electrical items brought into the building must be PAT tested within the last 12 months

What is not allowed in the Guildhall to protect the building?

The Guildhall does not allow the following in order to protect and preserve this historic site:

– Fryers are not allowed in any part of the Guildhall.
– Paper, plastic or glitter confetti are not permitted, we reccomend using dried flowers in the main garden instead.
– candles, fireworks, liquid petroleum gas, helium filled balloons and smoke machines
– Electrical equiptment without a current PAT test sertificate is not permitted.
– Any decor must use existing fixings with nothing to be placed on the walls.

Are hotels within walking distance of the Guildhall?

The Guildhall is in the mediaeval grid at the heart of the town centre in Bury St Edmunds. There is an excellent selection of local hotels, B&Bs and Airbnbs within walking distance as well as restaurants and easy access to transport.