Ceremonies we offer

Our bespoke service gives you the opportunity to enjoy a truly personalised ceremony, all about the two of you and your journey as a couple. Six months before your big day, your celebrant registrar will contact you to arrange a private consultation – a meeting for you to get to know each other and to discuss and plan the ceremony they’re going to compose and conduct just for you.

Your bespoke ceremony will be a completely unique expression of your relationship – a celebration of everything that’s brought the two of you together and to your wedding day. A ceremony which tells your love story and reflects your values and preferences.

Your celebrant registrar will guide you through the many options available to you in creating the ceremony of your dreams. From locations, themes and including the special people in your life, to customising your vows and incorporating meaningful rituals, readings and music. With your bespoke ceremony you have creative freedom to be authentically you – you’re the designers and your celebrant registrar will work with you to bring your ideas and vision to life.

In the weeks leading up to your bespoke ceremony, your celebrant registrar will be on hand to answer any queries and provide expert advice. Near the big day, they will arrange for a ceremony rehearsal to take place and on your wedding day, they’ll be there early to steady your nerves and meet any friends or family that are taking part in the ceremony, so they’re relaxed and ready.

If you’re looking for a ceremony tailored to your needs and wishes, your friendly and supportive celebrant registrar is ready to build and deliver your perfect bespoke ceremony. Creating lasting memories and crafting a joyful and heartfelt celebration of your love.

Please call our ceremonies team on 0300 500 80 80 to speak to us about creating your bespoke ceremony.

The enhanced ceremony is an ideal choice for couples who would like to create a more personal ceremony for their special day.

We invite you to include your own personal additions: choosing your own music; adding a reading or a poem; exchanging rings and/or making personal promises to each other (in addition to the legal declaration and contract words for a marriage and the signing of the schedule for a civil partnership formation).

The law does not allow religious content to be included in a legal civil marriage ceremony/civil partnership formation.  This means the inclusion of prayers, hymns, or a passage or verse from religious text, a ritual, or any other religious song, poem or music is not allowed.

If you want your enhanced ceremony to be legal, it must take place in a Registration Office  ceremony room or at a licensed Nottinghamshire venue .  If you are thinking of holding your ceremony in a venue that isn’t licensed or would like to include any aspects detailed above that are not permitted in a legal civil ceremony/formation, our Bespoke ceremony will give you the opportunity to tailor a ceremony to your wishes.     

Marriage

We understand how important it is that your ceremony will be one you will treasure for years to come which is why we offer you a choice of 3 different ceremonies: Traditional, Modern and Romantic.

• The traditional ceremony [PDF]
• The modern ceremony [PDF]
• The romantic ceremony [PDF]

Civil Partnership

Whilst a civil partnership formation does not legally require a ceremony, we recognise that you may still want to celebrate your formation with a ceremony surrounded by your family and friends, and are pleased to offer you a ceremony which enables you to include your personal additions.  You may choose to include the ceremony, or to simply sign the civil partnership schedule. 

• Enhanced civil partnership ceremony [PDF]

If you are looking for a ‘no frills’ ceremony without any personalisation, the Standard ceremony is for you.

These are available on specified mornings only in Registration Office (insert link) ceremony rooms. Standard ceremony content is predetermined, with no form of personalisation, although you will have the option to exchange rings. Guests are limited to eighteen plus the couple. 

The law does not allow religious content to be included in a legal civil marriage ceremony/civil partnership formation. This means the inclusion of prayers, hymns, or a passage or verse from religious text, a ritual, or any other religious song, poem or music is not allowed.

Marriage

The standard marriage ceremony is an intimate ceremony that includes the legal wording required. 

• Standard ceremony [PDF]

Civil Partnership

Whilst a civil partnership formation does not legally require a ceremony, we recognise that you may still want to form your partnership in the presence of your family and friends.  You may choose to include the ceremony or to simply sign the civil partnership schedule. 

• Standard civil partnership ceremony [PDF]

If you would prefer to have a basic marriage ceremony / civil partnership formation with just the minimum legal requirements (two witnesses only), then the statutory option is for you.  These are available at our register office in Worksop at specified times.

Marriage

A Statutory marriage requires legal wording to be said to each other during a formal ceremony.  The statutory marriage ceremony content is predetermined, with no form of personalisation although you will have the option to exchange rings.   This is overseen by two Celebrant Registrars and your two witnesses.

Civil Partnership

A statutory civil partnership formation requires both parties to sign a legal schedule in which you declare your wish and understanding to form a legal partnership with each other, overseen by a Celebrant Registrar and your two witnesses.  You will have the option to exchange rings.