On the big day

A guide to what will happen on your special day

Holding your ceremony in front of family and friends can be a nerve-racking event, but the registrars will be on hand to help you every step of the way. They will guide you through everything you need to do or say, so there is no need to worry about forgetting your lines or doing things in the wrong order!

What time to arrive

To make sure everything goes ahead on time and without any hitches, please remember to make allowances for traffic delays, parking, and any photographs you wish to take before the ceremony starts. Guests should arrive 20 – 30 minutes before the ceremony is due to start. You may wish to choose several pieces of non-religious music to be played whilst your guests are taking their seats.

At a register office

The couple must arrive at least 20 minutes before the time of the ceremony for their pre-ceremony meeting with their registrars. If you do not wish to see each other before the ceremony starts, we suggest one party arrives 20 minutes before, and the other party arrives 10 minutes before the start of the ceremony. If you are having a photographer/videographer at your ceremony, they should arrive with your guests 20 minutes prior to your ceremony.

If you plan to have photographs prior to your ceremony, then please allow additional time before your pre-ceremony meeting.

At an approved venue

The couple must arrive at least 30 minutes before the time of the ceremony for their pre-ceremony meeting with their registrars. If you do not wish to see each other before the ceremony starts, we suggest one party arrives 30 minutes before, and the other party arrives 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

If you plan to have photographs prior to your ceremony, then please allow additional time before your pre-ceremony meeting.

Pre-ceremony meeting

Before the ceremony, the registrar will see both partners privately to check that the details recorded on the legal marriage or civil partnership schedule are correct. You can be seen either individually or together, whichever you prefer. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any last-minute questions. You are not required to bring any form of ID or documents to your ceremony. However, if you have made any legal changes to your name since giving notice then please contact us for advice before your ceremony.

Once the pre-ceremony meetings are completed, we can then proceed with your ceremony

Entrance of the couple

You can choose how to make your entrance for your ceremony. You may wish to be escorted by into the ceremony room by a family member or friend. Or you may wish to enter the ceremony room together as a couple. You can also be accompanied into the room by bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and page boys.

You may like to choose a special piece of non-religious music to be played for your entrance.

Welcome, legal declaration and contracting vows

Once you, your guests and your witnesses are seated the ceremony will begin with a welcome by the registrar. If you would like to be formally presented by a family member or friend this can be included.

If you have chosen a marriage ceremony you will be asked to repeat the words you have chosen for your solemn declaration and contracting vows  

If you have chosen a civil partnership ceremony, you are not required to make a legal declaration but you can choose to read, repeat or acknowledge the legal declaration if you wish to.

Readings

There are opportunities throughout your ceremony to include readings . Readings must not be of a religious nature and should be short in length.

'If you are holding your ceremony at a register office, dependent on your chosen package, you can include readings and if your ceremony is being held at an approved venue you can include up to three readings.

If you are holding your ceremony at the Statutory Register Office, no readings can be included.

Rings and personal vows or promises  

You may wish to exchange rings or gifts and say personal vows or promises to each other. Personal vows and promises must not include any religious content and should be short in length. You can either repeat or read your chosen words.

Once you have completed the legal parts of the ceremony, you will be invited to share a kiss if you wish to do so.

Signing of the legal marriage or civil partnership schedule

Both partners, your witnesses and the registrars will sign the legal marriage or civil partnership schedule and a commemorative certificate. The registrars will present you with the commemorative certificate at the end of your ceremony. This is not a legal marriage or civil partnership certificate but a keepsake of your special day.

You may like to choose several pieces of non-religious music to be played during the signing of schedule.

Photographs

There will be an opportunity for you to pose for photographs with your commemorative certificate.  If you would like official photographs during the ceremony, you need to discuss this with the registrar first. Video recordings are allowed, but please let the registrar know this before the ceremony.

We strongly recommend that you do not take photographs or video whilst the legal marriage or civil partnership schedule is signed.

Couples exit

Once the ceremony has concluded the registrar will announce the couples formal exit from the ceremony room.

You may like to choose a special piece of non-religious music to be played for your exit.

Confetti

Some approved venues have restrictions on confetti, so please discuss this with staff at the venue.

At register offices biodegradable confetti is permitted outside of our buildings. No petals or confetti are permitted inside the ceremony room.

Legal registration and certificates

The registrar will return the signed legal marriage or civil partnership schedule to the office and the marriage or civil partnership will be registered on the national registration system within 15 working days of your ceremony.

Once the registration has been completed, the legal marriage or civil partnership certificate, will be issued and posted to you within 15 working days by second-class post.

If you have not ordered certificates before your ceremony or you would like additional copies of your marriage or civil partnership certificate these can be ordered after your ceremony

Outdoor ceremony

If you wish to hold your ceremony outdoors, please discuss this directly with your venue first.  Many venues may not wish to, or be able to, provide a suitable outdoor space.  Venues and couples must also prepare a ‘Plan B’ in case of inclement weather and consider how all their guests can be safely accommodated indoors. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony must be held indoors in the licensed ceremony room.  The registrars will make the final decision on whether the ceremony must take place indoors.  All couples having outdoor ceremonies will also need to complete an Outdoor Ceremony Agreement at least four weeks before the ceremony is due to take place.  Without this agreement, the ceremony cannot take place outdoors.

Format of the ceremony

  • Guests’ arrival
  • Couples Entrance
  • Welcome and presentation
  • Opportunity for a reading
  • Legal statements and contracting vows
  • Opportunity for a reading
  • Exchange of rings or gifts and personal promises or vows, (see options for promises)
  • Signing of legal marriage or civil partnership schedule 
  • Photographs
  • Opportunity for a reading
  • Presentation of the commemorative certificate and conclusion
  • Couples exit

(You may substitute a song or music in place of a reading)