Ceremony vows, readings and music

Civil ceremonies must follow a set format and include legal wording, but you can still make your ceremony personal and meaningful to you.

You can choose your legal words and personal promises, include approved readings and select music for different parts of the ceremony.

Marriage ceremonies

During a marriage ceremony, you must say legal declarations and contracting words from the wording options below. The registrar says your chosen words aloud, and you repeat them.

There is no need to learn anything in advance.

Legal declaration

Choose one of the following options:

Traditional

"I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (your full legal name) may not be joined in matrimony to (your partner's full legal name)."

Modern

"I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (your full legal name) may not be joined in marriage to (your partner's full legal name)."

Simplified

The registrar asks: "Are you (your full legal name) free, lawfully, to marry (your partner's full legal name)?"

You reply: "I am."

Contracting words

Choose one of the following options:

Traditional

"I call upon these persons, here present, to witness that I (your full legal name) do take thee (your partner's full legal name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband."

Modern

"I (your full legal name), take you (your partner's full legal name) to be my wedded wife/husband."

Simplified

"I (your full legal name) take thee (your partner's full legal name) to be my wedded wife/husband."

Legal wording must use “husband” or “wife” according to legal requirements. Preferred pronouns can be used elsewhere in the ceremony.

Personal marriage promises

After the legal declaration and contracting words, you can exchange rings or gifts and make personal promises.

• I promise that I will respect you as an individual, support you through difficult times, rejoice with you through happy times, be loyal to you always and, above all, love you as my wife/husband and friend
• I promise to care for you above all others, to give you my love and friendship, support and comfort, and to respect and cherish you throughout our lives together
• I give you this ring as a token of my love and friendship
• I give you this ring as a token of our love and marriage, as a symbol of all that we share and in recognition of our life together
• I promise to love and respect you, helping our love grow and always being there to support you
• I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage and promise to care for and cherish you
• I give you this ring as a symbol of our love, trust and marriage
• I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and affection

You can write your own promises for enhanced ceremonies (non-religious), subject to registrar approval.

Civil partnership ceremonies

Legal declaration

You can read, repeat or confirm the legal declaration:

"I declare that I know of no legal reason why we may not register as each other’s civil partner…"

Personal civil partnership promises

• I will build a strong relationship based on kindness, understanding and trust
• I promise to love you in good times and bad
• I promise to share my life with you as an equal partner
• I promise to love and respect you throughout our lives together

You can create your own non-religious promises for enhanced ceremonies, subject to approval.

Music

You can include music at different points during the ceremony:

• Arrival of guests
• Entrance into the ceremony room
• Signing of the legal schedule
• Departure from the ceremony room

Music must not include religious content. Check arrangements depending on venue.

Readings and poems

You may include up to three readings or poems. These must be non-religious and approved in advance.