Ceremony
Choices

There are plenty of choices available to you when planning your ceremony. The attached booklet outlines the order of your ceremony and also has some suggested readings and promises for you to choose from, although you can also provide your own if you wish.

Ceremony Choices PDF

You also need to decide on what music you would like and what your preference is for exchanging rings.

How to confirm your choices to us

Once you have thought about what you’d like included in your ceremony, please submit your choices online.

Yes, we do encourage couples to personalise elements their ceremony.  This could include music choice, readings, and additional promises. If you wish to have even more choice, then have a look at our enhanced ceremonies. Please remember all content must be non-religious.

Some couples prefer the option in the enhanced ceremony to include live music, such as a pianist, violin etc, or you may prefer to submit songs that are personal to you both.  We suggest 4 songs for the traditional ceremony and a selection for the enhanced ceremony.  Please note that you will liaise directly with the venue if it is not a Registration Office, although you will need to inform us of the songs you choose:

1. Guests arriving/seated
2. Entrance into the ceremony room.
3. Signing of the schedule and photos.
4. Your exit song.

Don’t forget that any music must have no religious content, also speak to your venue to check any equipment they have for your requirements.

If you opt for the Enhanced Ceremony, you have the option to write your own Promises, choose the words to accompany the exchange of rings, have live music, and include a Sand Ceremony or Hand Joining. You’ll also have the option to have more than two witnesses.

Yes. You can choose how to start your ceremony, whether you wish to be walked in by a member of your family or whether you wish to enter together as a couple.

We are unable to provide religious ceremonies.

Church of England

When you have set the date, make an appointment to see the incumbent of the church you intend to marry in. Church of England have authorised persons so there is no need to give notice at the Register Office. Banns are read in each parish to announce your intention to marry.

Roman Catholic

If you wish to marry in a Catholic Church, you need to speak to the parish priest to make arrangements but a notice of marriage must be given at your local register office.

Other Religious Denominations

Marriages which are conducted according to the rite of other religious denominations also require a notice of marriage to be given to the Registrar. If the priest/minister is not authorised to solemnise marriages, a charge will be made for the Registrar to attend of £84.00.

Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnerships

Religious organisations differ on their policies with regards to single sex marriages. Please check with your religious organisation for individual clarification.

Civil partnerships can only be arranged at approved venues or registration offices.

1. Entrance
2. Welcome & Introduction
3. Giving Away*
4. Declaratory Vows
5. Reading
6. Contracting Vows
7. Exchanging of Rings*
8. Reading*
9. Additional Promises*
10. Closing Remarks
11. Signing of Register

PLEASE NOTE Only a civil non-religious ceremony can be conducted by a celebrant. All music, readings and words which form part of the ceremony must be approved prior to the ceremony.

* These are options that you may wish to include in your ceremony.