Arriving at your venue
To ensure your ceremony starts on time
If your ceremony is at an approved venue your Registrars will be on site at least 30 minutes before your ceremony start time.
If your ceremony is in the Regency Suite please arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your ceremony start time.
If your ceremony is in the Council Chamber please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your ceremony start time.
If you wish to be kept separate from your partner before the ceremony please stagger your arrival times and let the Registrars know so they can make arrangements for you.
Pre-ceremony interview
Your registrars will need to do a short and easy interview with you before the start of your ceremony. You can do this interview together or separately. You do not need to bring any documents with you unless you’ve officially changed your name after giving notice but before getting married.
This will be done in private and takes about 5 minutes per person.
This pre-ceremony interview is a legal requirement. The registrar is ensuring that all your details are correct before they go into the marriage or civil partnership register and that you are still happy to proceed with the ceremony.
Witnesses
You must provide two credible witnesses.
They must speak English well enough to understand the words of the ceremony and marriage declarations.
They do not have to provide ID documents.
Your ceremony
Our registrars are there to help and guide you through the ceremony and registration. Your Registrar Celebrant will welcome you and your guests to the venue and lead you through your ceremony, your vows and any personal content you wish to include.
Use our ceremony options form to let us know your personal choices for your marriage or civil partnership ceremony.
Two legal declarations must be spoken by each party to the marriage (see below order of ceremony)
Marriage ceremony
Sample order of ceremony:
- pre-registration schedule check by Marriage Registrar
- welcome by the Celebrant Registrar
- opportunity for a reading, poem or music
- opening words
- legal declarations
- opportunity for personal vows
- exchange of rings
- opportunity for reading, poem or music
- pronouncement and congratulations
- you and your witnesses will sign the schedule and commemorative certificate.
- brief opportunity for photographs
- closing words
- presentation of commemorative certificate
Registrar's introduction
Our registrars are there to help and guide you through the ceremony. They will welcome you and your guests to your venue. They will lead you through your ceremony and your legal declarations.
Legal Declarations (vows)
Two legal declarations must be spoken by each party to the marriage – these will be repeated after the registrar.
1st declaration
Modern: I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (name) may not be joined in marriage to (name)
Or
Traditional: I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (name) may not be joined in matrimony to (name)
Or
Short: Registrar asks ‘Are you (name) free lawfully to marry (name)’ – answer ‘I am’
2nd Declaration
Modern/Short: I (name) take you (name) to be my wedded wife/husband
Traditional: I call upon these persons here present to witness that I (name) do take thee (name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband
Exchanging rings
Many couples choose to include the exchange of rings in their ceremony. The wedding ring is usually placed on the third finger of the left hand of the bride or groom. This is a traditional declaration of commitment to each other.
Civil partnership registration
If you are forming a civil partnership, you can choose to have a simple formation with no ceremony or a formation followed by a celebratory ceremony. Find out what to expect on the day of your civil partnership.