East Meets West at Portsmouth Register Office

Raymond and Sam were married at Portsmouth Register Office at the end of May 2015. Many of their friends and family only spoke Chinese (of one form or another) and some didn't speak any english at all.

But this day was a very English affair. It was the legal part of their marriage conforming to UK law but also very English in its traditions and dress.

Sam looked fabulous in her white wedding dress, veil and flowers...

 ...and looked absolutely perfect against her sunlit venue with its beautiful gardens together with blue skies and fluffy white clouds.

Being the end of May meant that the wisteria was out and what a pretty picture it made framing the faces of the gorgeous newly-weds.

Whilst this day was very English in its traditions, the following week Raymond and Sam would have another wedding, this time with full Chinese traditions including a red wedding dress, a dancing lion (looked like a Chinese New Year's dragon to me), nearly 300 guests and a twelve course meal.

But this day was very English, quiet, reserved and wonderfully tender. Raymond and Sam were a gorgeous bride and groom and are lovely people and their friends and family treated us as though they'd known us forever. It was a really lovely day at so many levels.

Congratulations Raymond and Sam and we both wish you the fondest wishes for your future together.

by Steve Dunster

2 June 2015

Hampshire Register Offices - contact information

The general number to call to make an appointment at any of the following Register Offices is 0845 603 5637 but the local number for Hampshire Register Office is 01962 861855.  You can also book an appointment on-line at www.hants.gov.uk/registration

Aldershot

30 Grosvenor Road, Aldershot GU11 3EB

Email: aldershot.registrars@hants.gov.uk

Alton

4 Queens Road, Alton GU34 1HU

Email: winchester.registrars@hants.gov.uk

Andover

Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover SP10 3AJ

Email: basingstoke.registrars@hants.gov.uk

Basingstoke

Goldings, London Road, Basingstoke RG21 4AN

Email: basingstoke.registrars@hants.gov.uk

Eastleigh

Eastleigh Library, 1st Floor Swan Centre, Eastleigh SO50 5SF

Email: winchester.registrars@hants.gov.uk

There are no ceremony rooms at this location.

Fareham

4 Osborn Road South, Fareham PO16 7DG

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

01329 289195

Gosport

High Street, Gosport PO12 1BT

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

There are no ceremony rooms at this location and this is a part-time office.

Havant

1st Floor Havant Library, Meridian Centre, Havant PO9 1UN

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

There are no ceremony rooms at this location and this is a part-time office.

Havant Plaza 

Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9 2AX

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

This is a part-time office.

Lymington

Lymington Library, North Close, Lymington SO41 9BW

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

There are no ceremony rooms at this location.

Petersfield

Petersfield Library, 27 The Square, Petersfield GU32 3HH

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

There are no ceremony rooms at this location.

Portsmouth

Mildam House, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3AF

Direct Line:  02392 829041

Ringwood

Ringwood Gateway, The Furlong, Ringwood BH24 1AT

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

Romsey

Romsey Town Hall, 1 Market Place, Romsey SO51 8YZ

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

Southampton

6a Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2LX

Direct Line:  02380 915327

Totton

Totton and Eling Community Centre, Civic Centre Building, Library Road, Totton SO40 3AP

Email: fareham.registrars@hants.gov.uk

There are no ceremony rooms at this location.

Winchester  

Station Hill, Winchester SO23 8TJ

Email: winchester.registrars@hants.gov.uk