Order of service
Entrance (music)
Welcome
Legal Declaration
Reading (optional)
Exchange of Rings (optional)
Promises / Personal Vows (optional)
Legal Contract
Closing Words
Signing of the Marriage Schedule (music)
Photographs (music)
Exit Announcement (music)
Your choice of enhanced marriage ceremony
Your enhanced civil marriage ceremony can follow one of three ceremony types which are traditional, modern or romantic.
Traditional marriage ceremony
Pre-ceremony Announcements
Before the ceremony begins, we will ask your guests to make sure their phones are on silent.
You may choose for us to announce that either your guests are welcome to take photos / video, or they are welcome to take photos / video but not to post on social media without your permission, or to request that they do not take photos / video during the ceremony.
You may choose how we refer to your guests throughout the ceremony; Ladies and Gentlemen, Family and Friends, Honoured Guests, Wedding Guests or One and All.
Your Entrance
To begin the ceremony, you may choose to make a grand entrance into the ceremony room or to informally begin the ceremony without fanfare. Music of your choice can be played, as you wish.
If you choose to make an entrance, you may do this as a couple, or with one of you waiting in the ceremony room and the other making an entrance (with or without an escort), or with each of you making a separate entrance (with or without escorts).
Question to Escort(s)
If one or both of you choose to be escorted into the ceremony room, the Celebrant Registrar will ask your escort(s), “_____ (your escort), do you give _____’s hand in marriage to _____?”
Your escort(s) should respond, “I do”.
Celebrant Registrar’s Welcome to Your Venue
“A very good morning / afternoon to you all and on behalf of _____ and _____, may I welcome you to (venue) and thank you for being here today, to witness their marriage and to share in their happiness.
My name is _____ and it is my pleasure to conduct their ceremony today, with the support of my colleague _____, who will complete the schedule, which is the legal record of _____ and _____’s marriage.”
The Celebrant Registrar will say a few words here about the venue you have chosen for your ceremony.
Confirming Your Names and Calling for Objections
The Celebrant Registrar will ask each of you in turn, “is your full name _____?”
“We are here to witness the joining in matrimony of _____ and _____. They have come to (venue) to make a formal shared commitment to spending their lives together. They wish to pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, to create a spirit unique to themselves.
If any person here present knows of any lawful impediment, why _____ and _____ should not be joined in marriage, they must declare it now...”
All About Marriage
“_____ and _____ have chosen today to celebrate one of the most important milestones in life, their wedding day.
From earliest times, couples have sought to unify their individual lives through the tradition of marriage. It is a mutual enrichment and a commitment to life, in which two people can find and bring out the best in each other.
Marriage is a life-long promise of hope between two people who love each other, who honour one another as individuals and who wish to share their future together.
Love starts as a feeling, but to continue is a choice. A marriage grows and blossoms with each passing day.
Today, _____ and _____ have chosen to become a married couple, joined together in the trust, respect, and loving commitment of marriage.
Now and forever, they will be as one. They will celebrate each other’s achievements. For when one succeeds, they both do.
They will share each other's hopes and dreams. They will plan for the future together.
Through the highs and lows of life, _____ and _____ will be there for each other. Sharing their lives in mutual support and appreciation.
Growing and developing as individuals and as a couple, safe in the confidence and security of their marriage.”
Introducing the Legal Declaration
“This place in which you are now met has been duly sanctioned, according to the law, for the celebration of marriages and I will now ask _____ and _____ to confirm that there is no legal reason why they should not be married to each other, and that they are each choosing to marry of their own free will.
_____ and _____, before you are joined in matrimony, I have to remind you of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make.
Marriage in this country means the union of two people, voluntarily entered into for life, to the exclusion of all others.”
The Legal Declaration
The Celebrant Registrar will say to each of you in turn, “please repeat after me, looking at _____. I do solemnly declare that I know not, of any lawful impediment, why I _____, may not be joined in matrimony to _____.”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these legal words, a few at a time.
The ‘I Do’s’
The Celebrant Registrar will then say to each of you in turn, “by replying ‘I do’ to these questions:
Do you _____ freely consent to be joined in marriage to _____?
And do you promise to remain faithful to _____ for the rest of your lives together?”
You should each respond, “I do”, in answer to each question.
(Optional) Reading
You may choose to include a reading here, either one of our suggested readings (1-8) or another of your choice. This could be presented by you, one of your guests, or one of the Celebrant Registrars, as you wish.
(Optional) Presentation and Exchange of Wedding Ring(s) and Personal Promises
“_____ and _____ have chosen to exchange (wedding rings / a wedding ring) to seal their marriage vows.
The wedding ring is an ancient and traditional symbol of marriage, an unbroken circle, symbolising everlasting love.
From today, (these rings / this ring) will represent the promises of love and commitment, _____ and _____ are making to each other today.
(They / it) will be the outward and visible sign of their marriage.
I would like to invite _____ (your ring-bearer) to come forward, to present the wedding ring(s).”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through the exchange of rings / a ring and say to each of you in turn, “Please repeat after me. _____ I give you (or I accept) this ring, as a symbol of my love, and a sign of our marriage. With this ring I give you my loyalty, my commitment and my devotion, from this day and always.”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these words, a few at a time.
If you are choosing to exchange personal promises, the Celebrant Registrar will invite you to make your promise after giving or receiving a ring. If you have chosen one of our suggested promises (1-8), the Celebrant Registrar will hand you your promise on a card to read – if you would prefer the Celebrant Registrar to guide you through these words, please let us know.
Introducing the Legal Contract
“I will now guide _____ and _____ through the words which will join them together in marriage. Please can I ask you all to stand, if able, to show your support.”
The Legal Contract
The Celebrant Registrar will say to each of you in turn, “please repeat after me, looking at _____. I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I _____, do take thee _____, to be my lawful wedded (wife / husband).”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these legal words, a few at a time.
Celebrant Registrar’s Pronouncement of Marriage
“_____ and _____, this is the start of a new chapter in your lives together.
We hope that the feelings of love you share, will grow ever deeper and stronger, throughout the years to come.
In the presence of your witnesses, you have confirmed your commitment to each other and made vows which have joined you together sincerely and forever.
It is with great pleasure that I now confirm you are legally joined together in marriage!”
You may choose for the Celebrant Registrar to invite you both to share a kiss, or not, as you wish.
The Celebrant Registrar will invite your guests to take a seat and will facilitate the signing of the marriage schedule by you and your witnesses, followed by an opportunity for photos. Music of your choice can be played, as you wish.
Celebrant Registrar’s Closing Words
You may choose how we announce you upon exit; Mr/Mrs and Mr/Mrs + new married name, first names only, the happy couple, newly-weds etc.
The modern ceremony
Pre-ceremony Announcements
Before the ceremony begins, we will ask your guests to make sure their phones are on silent.
You may choose for us to announce that either your guests are welcome to take photos / video, or they are welcome to take photos / video but not to post on social media without your permission, or to request that they do not take photos / video during the ceremony.
You may choose how we refer to your guests throughout the ceremony; Ladies and Gentlemen, Family and Friends, Honoured Guests, Wedding Guests or One and All.
Your Entrance
To begin the ceremony, you may choose to make a grand entrance into the ceremony room or to informally begin the ceremony without fanfare. Music of your choice can be played, as you wish.
If you choose to make an entrance, you may do this as a couple, or with one of you waiting in the ceremony room and the other making an entrance (with or without an escort), or with each of you making a separate entrance (with or without escorts).
Celebrant Registrar’s Welcome to Your Venue
“A very good morning / afternoon to you all and on behalf of _____ and _____, may I welcome you to (venue) and thank you for being here today, to witness their marriage and to share in their happiness.
My name is _____ and it is my pleasure to conduct their ceremony today, with the support of my colleague _____, who will complete the schedule, which is the legal record of _____ and _____’s marriage.”
The Celebrant Registrar will say a few words here about the venue you have chosen for your ceremony.
Confirming Your Names and Calling for Objections
The Celebrant Registrar will ask each of you in turn, “is your full name _____?”
“We are here to witness the joining in marriage of _____ and _____. If anyone present knows of any legal reason why _____ and _____ should not be joined in marriage, they must speak now….”
All About Marriage
“From today, _____ and _____’s lives will change, because they have chosen to become a married couple.
No longer will they simply be two people in love, but instead, two people joined together in the trust, respect, and loving commitment of marriage.
Now and forever, they will be as one. They will celebrate each other’s achievements. For when one succeeds, they both do.
They will share each other's hopes and dreams. They will plan for the future together.
Through the highs and lows of life, _____ and _____ will be there for each other. Sharing their lives in mutual support and appreciation.
Growing and developing as individuals and as a couple, safe in the confidence and security of their marriage.”
Introducing the Legal Declaration
“This place has been approved for the celebration of marriages and I will now ask _____ and _____ to confirm that there is no legal reason why they should not be married to each other, and that they are each choosing to marry of their own free will.
_____ and _____, before you are joined in marriage, I must remind you that the vows you are about to make will join you together in law, sincerely and forever.
Marriage in this country means the union of two people, voluntarily entered into for life, to the exclusion of all others.”
The Legal Declaration
The Celebrant Registrar will say to each of you in turn, “by replying ‘I am’ to the question. Are you _____ free lawfully to marry _____?”
You must each respond, “I am”.
The ‘I Do’s’
The Celebrant Registrar will then say to each of you in turn, “by replying ‘I do’ to the question.
Do you _____ freely consent to me joined in marriage to _____?”
You should each respond, “I do”.
(Optional) Reading
You may choose to include a reading here, either one of our suggested readings (1-8) or another of your choice. This could be presented by you, one of your guests, or one of the Celebrant Registrars, as you wish.
(Optional) Presentation and Exchange of Wedding Ring(s) and Personal Promises
“_____ and _____ have chosen to exchange (wedding rings / a wedding ring) to seal their marriage vows.
The wedding ring is an unbroken circle, symbolising everlasting love. From this moment and forever, (these rings / this ring) will represent the promises of love and commitment, they are making to each other today.
I would like to invite _____ (your ring-bearer) to come forward, to present the wedding ring(s).”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through the exchange of rings / a ring and say to each of you in turn, “Please repeat after me. _____ I give you (or I accept) this ring, as a symbol of my love, and a sign of our marriage.”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these words, a few at a time.
If you are choosing to exchange personal promises, the Celebrant Registrar will invite you to make your promise after giving or receiving a ring. If you have chosen one of our suggested promises (1-8), the Celebrant Registrar will hand you your promise on a card to read – if you would prefer the Celebrant Registrar to guide you through these words, please let us know.
Introducing the Legal Contract
“I will now guide _____ and _____ through the words which will join them together in marriage. Please can I ask you all to stand, if able, to show your support.”
The Legal Contract
The Celebrant Registrar will say to each of you in turn, “please repeat after me, looking at
_____. I _____take you _____to be my wedded wife / husband.”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these legal words, a few at a time.
Celebrant Registrar’s Pronouncement of Marriage
“_____ and _____, this is the start of a new chapter in your lives together.
We hope that the feelings of love you share, will grow ever deeper and stronger, throughout the years to come.
In the presence of your witnesses, you have confirmed your commitment to each other and made vows which have joined you together sincerely and forever.
It is with great pleasure that I now confirm you are legally joined together in marriage!”
You may choose for the Celebrant Registrar to invite you both to share a kiss, or not, as you wish.
The Celebrant Registrar will invite your guests to take a seat and will facilitate the signing of the marriage schedule by you and your witnesses, followed by an opportunity for photos. Music of your choice can be played, as you wish.
Celebrant Registrar’s Closing Words
You may choose how we announce you upon exit; Mr/Mrs and Mr/Mrs + new married name, first names only, the happy couple, newly-weds etc.
The romantic ceremony
Pre-ceremony Announcements
Before the ceremony begins, we will ask your guests to make sure their phones are on silent.
You may choose for us to announce that either your guests are welcome to take photos / video, or they are welcome to take photos / video but not to post on social media without your permission, or to request that they do not take photos / video during the ceremony.
You may choose how we refer to your guests throughout the ceremony; Ladies and Gentlemen, Family and Friends, Honoured Guests, Wedding Guests or One and All.
Your Entrance
To begin the ceremony, you may choose to make a grand entrance into the ceremony room or to informally begin the ceremony without fanfare. Music of your choice can be played, as you wish.
If you choose to make an entrance, you may do this as a couple, or with one of you waiting in the ceremony room and the other making an entrance (with or without an escort), or with each of you making a separate entrance (with or without escorts).
Question to Escort(s)
If one or both of you choose to be escorted into the ceremony room, the Celebrant Registrar will ask your escort(s), “_____ (your escort), do you give _____ and _____’s marriage your love and blessing today?”
Your escort(s) should respond, “I do”.
Celebrant Registrar’s Welcome to Your Venue
“A very good morning / afternoon to you all and on behalf of _____ and _____, may I welcome you to (venue) and thank you for being here today, to witness their marriage and to share in their happiness.
My name is _____ and it is my pleasure to conduct their ceremony today, with the support of my colleague _____, who will complete the schedule, which is the legal record of _____ and _____’s marriage.”
The Celebrant Registrar will say a few words here about the venue you have chosen for your ceremony.
Confirming Your Names and Calling for Objections
The Celebrant Registrar will ask each of you in turn, “is your full name _____?”
“We are here to witness the joining in matrimony of _____ and _____. They have come to (venue) to fulfill their heart's desire to be as one. They wish to share their lives together, now and always.
If any person here present knows of any lawful impediment, why _____ and _____ should not be joined in marriage, they must declare it now...”
All About Marriage
“When _____ and _____ first met and fell in love, the stars aligned. At that moment they knew in their hearts, that they had each found their soulmate. Their true love.
There is nothing more powerful in this world, than love. It can move mountains, cross great distances, and overcome all obstacles.
When soulmates meet, this power is tenfold. They share an undeniable connection, which joins their hearts forever.
_____ and _____ were meant to be together. Call it fate, destiny or good fortune, this romantic day would always have come.
They are already joined together in an endless love, but today, their lives will change for the whole world to see.
Today, _____ and _____ have chosen to become a married couple, joined together in the trust, respect, and loving commitment of marriage.
Now and forever, they will be as one. They will celebrate each other’s achievements. For when one succeeds, they both do.
They will share each other's hopes and dreams. They will plan for the future together.
Through the highs and lows of life, _____ and _____ will be there for each other. Sharing their lives in mutual support and appreciation.
Growing and developing as individuals and as a couple, safe in the confidence and security of their marriage.”
Introducing the Legal Declaration
“This place in which you are now met has been duly sanctioned, according to the law, for the celebration of marriages and I will now ask _____ and _____ to confirm that there is no legal reason why they should not be married to each other, and that they are each choosing to marry of their own free will.
_____ and _____, before you are joined in matrimony, I have to remind you of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make.
Marriage in this country means the union of two people, voluntarily entered into for life, to the exclusion of all others.”
The Legal Declaration
The Celebrant Registrar will say to each of you in turn, “please repeat after me, looking at _____. I declare that I know of no legal reason, why I _____, may not be joined in marriage to _____.”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these legal words, a few at a time.
The ‘I Do’s’
The Celebrant Registrar will then say to each of you in turn, “by replying ‘I do’ to these questions:
Do you _____ freely consent to be joined in marriage to _____?
And do you promise to remain true to _____ for the rest of your lives together?”
You should each respond, “I do”, in answer to each question.
(Optional) Reading
You may choose to include a reading here, either one of our suggested readings (1-8) or another of your choice. This could be presented by you, one of your guests, or one of the Celebrant Registrars, as you wish.
(Optional) Presentation and Exchange of Wedding Ring(s) and Personal Promises
“_____ and _____ have chosen to exchange (wedding rings / a wedding ring) to seal their marriage vows.
The wedding ring is an unbroken circle, symbolising everlasting love. From this moment and forever, (these rings / this ring) will represent the promises of love and commitment they are making to each other today.
(They / it) will be the outward sign of the invisible bond which already unites their hearts in love.
I would like to invite _____ (your ring-bearer) to come forward, to present the wedding ring(s).”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through the exchange of rings / a ring and say to each of you in turn, “Please repeat after me. _____ I give you (or I accept) this ring, as a symbol of my love, and a sign of our marriage. With this ring I give you my heart, my soul and my devotion, forever and always.”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these words, a few at a time.
If you are choosing to exchange personal promises, the Celebrant Registrar will invite you to make your promise after giving or receiving a ring. If you have chosen one of our suggested promises (1-8), the Celebrant Registrar will hand you your promise on a card to read – if you would prefer the Celebrant Registrar to guide you through these words, please let us know.
Introducing the Legal Contract
“I will now guide _____ and _____ through the words which will join them together in marriage. Please can I ask you all to stand, if able, to show your support.”
The Legal Contract
The Celebrant Registrar will say to each of you in turn, “please repeat after me, looking at _____. I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I _____, do take thee _____, to be my lawful wedded (wife / husband).”
The Celebrant Registrar will guide you through these legal words, a few at a time.
Celebrant Registrar’s Pronouncement of Marriage
“_____ and _____, this is the start of a new chapter in your lives together.
We hope that the feelings of love you share, will grow ever deeper and stronger, throughout the years to come.
In the presence of your witnesses, you have confirmed your commitment to each other and made vows which have joined you together sincerely and forever.
It is with great pleasure that I now confirm you are legally joined together in marriage!”
You may choose for the Celebrant Registrar to invite you both to share a kiss, or not, as you wish.
The Celebrant Registrar will invite your guests to take a seat and will facilitate the signing of the marriage schedule by you and your witnesses, followed by an opportunity for photos. Music of your choice can be played, as you wish.
Celebrant Registrar’s Closing Words
You may choose how we announce you upon exit; Mr/Mrs and Mr/Mrs + new married name, first names only, the happy couple, newly-weds etc.
Personalising your ceremony
Once you have chosen your ceremony, please consider these other options to personalise your ceremony:
Personal promises (in addition to the legal wording)
Reading or poem – to be read by a member of the wedding party or the Celebrant Registrar.
Presentation of the ring(s) – a ring bearer/s may step forward to present the rings at the time of the ring exchange.
No civil marriage ceremony should include extracts from an authorised religious marriage service or readings from sacred religious texts, hymns, or other religious chants or involve any religious rituals or form of worship.
Promises
You may wish to personalise your ceremony with the inclusion of spoken promises to each other. Personal vows and promises give you both the opportunity to tell each other exactly what they mean to you and the things you want to promise them.
Below are a few of our suggestions. If you choose one of the promises below, we have these on cards which we will hand to you to read during the ceremony. For variety, consider choosing different ones or alternatively you may wish to write your own, in which case please provide us with a copy. Please be aware that promises must not include religious wording, e.g. “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health” and should be of a similar length to our suggested promises below.
Promise one
I promise to care for you with love and friendship. To support and comfort you, through good times and through troubled times. I promise to care for you with love and with patience, to respect and cherish you and be faithful always. These promises I make to you for the rest of my life.
Promise two
I promise to love and cherish you, comfort and care for you, honour and protect you throughout our lives together. And this is my commitment to you.
Promise three
I promise to care for you always, and to keep our love and friendship as it is today. Please share my hopes and dreams and never allow anything to destroy the feelings we have for one another.
Promise four
I promise to be there when you need me, to fill your days with sunshine. To comfort you, and encourage you to reach your goals. To be your best friend forever, and to love you all my life and with all of my heart.
Promise five
On this day, I give you my heart, my promise, that I will walk with you, hand in hand wherever our journey leads us. Living, learning, loving, together forever.
Promise six
All that I have I give to you, all that I am I share with you. I promise to give you my love and friendship, to confide in you and comfort you, to trust and support you. I promise to be there when you need me most, always and forever.
Promise seven
I will treasure our friendship and love you today, tomorrow and forever. I will trust you and believe in you, I will love you devotedly through the best and the worst. I will catch you when you fall, I will always be there as I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my heart to keep.
Promise eight
You are the joy of my life, the love of my heart and my reason for living. I will cherish you and be faithful to you, for all eternity.
Reading
To enhance and personalise your ceremony further, you may want to include a reading. Some couples ask a family member or friend to write something personal and unique just for them, whilst others might choose words from their favourite song or find a reading or poem that that they feel suits them perfectly. This could be read by a specially chosen guest which is a lovely way of including others in your ceremony. Alternatively, the Celebrant Registrar will be happy to present your reading for you. Please be aware that readings cannot contain religious wording or text.
Below are a few of our suggestions. If you are including your own reading, please send us a copy. This should be of a similar length to our suggested readings.
Reading one – Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your root was so entwined together, that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.
Reading two - Native American Apache Blessing
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead,
And through all the years.
May happiness be your companion, and your days together be good and long upon the earth.
Reading three - The Two of You Together
The two of you together, that's what today’s about.
It's simple and straight forward, that is without a doubt.
Your love will last forever, grow stronger year by year.
Through the good times and the bad, you will never have to fear.
For though the bond that keeps you close, will never tear apart.
It's strong and everlasting and comes straight from the heart.
Gaze down the beautiful road of life and savour every minute.
There is so much joy awaiting you and so much love within it.
Reading four - Once in a Lifetime
Once in a lifetime you find someone, you can't get out of your mind. And every dream you've ever had, has been totally redefined. You gave away your heart and soul, the very first time you met. Somehow you knew you'd never find, any reason for regret.
Once in a lifetime you find someone, and you know right from the start. That this one's like none before, as they steal away your heart. You may not know just how to act, as you're taken by surprise. But you'll know right then that this is it, when you look into their eyes. Once in a lifetime you find someone, who makes your heart beat fast. The way you feel when they're around, you know will always last. This is the love you've long awaited, but thought you'd never find. So you put your love upon a shelf, and left your dream behind. Once in a lifetime you find someone, you feel you've always known. And the void you've felt begins to fill, till your love is fully grown. True love they say is hard to find, and harder still to hold. So if you find it hang on tight, it's worth much more than gold.
Reading five - Love is giving
Love is giving, not taking. Mending, not breaking.
Trusting, believing, never deceiving.
Patiently bearing and faithfully sharing.
Each joy, every sorrow, today and tomorrow.
Love is kind, understanding, but never demanding.
Love is constant, prevailing; its strength never failing.
A promise once spoken, for all time unbroken.
A lifetime together, love’s time is forever.
Reading six - True love
Love is giving, not taking. Mending, not breaking.
Trusting, believing, never deceiving.
Patiently bearing and faithfully sharing.
Each joy, every sorrow, today and tomorrow.
Love is kind, understanding, but never demanding.
Love is constant, prevailing; its strength never failing.
A promise once spoken, for all time unbroken.
A lifetime together, love’s time is forever.
Reading seven - When the one
When the one whose hand you're holding, Is the one who holds your heart.
When the one whose eyes you gaze into, Gives your hopes and dreams their start.
When the one you think of first and last, Is the one who holds you tight.
And the things you plan together, Make the whole world seem just right.
When the one whom you believe in, Puts their faith and trust in you.
You've found the one and only love, You'll share your whole life through.
Reading eight - The bridge across forever
A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys and keys to fit our locks.
When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are.
We can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be.
Each unveils the best part of the other.
No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise.
Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction.
When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person.
Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life.
Payments, other services and ceremony extras
Ceremony payments
You paid a deposit when you booked your ceremony. The remaining balance is due two calendar months before your ceremony date. Please check your booking confirmation email for details of the fees payable.
You can pay the balance for your civil ceremony online. You can also pre-order a marriage certificate and add any extras through our online payments system.
If you prefer, you can make payments, order certificates and add extras by calling 0300 500 8080.
For more information about costs, please visit our ceremony fees page.
Legal marriage certificates
Legal marriage certificates may be ordered in advance of your ceremony or after the day. The legal marriage certificate is your official evidence that you are married and is the document you will need to use if you wish to change your surname after marriage.
Certificates are not provided at the ceremony. Any pre-ordered certificates will be posted out to you within seven working days of the ceremony taking place.
Certificate boxes, commemorative certificates and confetti
Attractive certificate boxes to keep your certificates safe, and beautiful commemorative certificates are available as a lovely keepsake of your day.
Confetti is available to purchase on the day and can be ordered in advance. Only biodegradable confetti is permitted - please check with your venue for designated areas for the use of confetti. No smoke flares are permitted.
Rehearsal discussion
For a fee, we offer a pre-wedding ceremony discussion to take place at our main offices or virtually (via Microsoft Teams) to run through the finer details of your ceremony. Please call 0300 500 8080 to make a rehearsal appointment.
PD2 passport service
For a fee, we can complete a document (PD2) for you to send with your application for a new passport to be issued in your new married name. Your passport application with PD2 may be submitted only up to three months in advance of your ceremony.
Music choices, live streaming and keepsake recordings
Some of our registration offices offer a live streaming and music service and you can find out more about both services on our live streaming page and music choices page.
No civil marriage ceremony should include religious hymns, other religious chants or music with explicit content. Music choices should be seemly and dignified, appropriate for a marriage ceremony.
Inclusion of animals and birds in your ceremony
Animals and birds are not permitted at our registration offices, with the exception of assistance dogs.
The day of the ceremony
More information about what to expect on the day of your ceremony can be found on our On the day webpage. This includes guidance on arrival times, speaking to the celebrant registrar before the ceremony, witnesses and guests, photography and video, and checking and signing the marriage schedule.
Terms and conditions
Our Terms and Conditions set out important information about ceremony bookings, fees, changes and cancellations, refunds, liability, conduct, and how to share compliments, comments or complaints. Please read these carefully before booking your ceremony.