Choosing your civil marriage ceremony
It is important to us that we create a unique and memorable ceremony for you. If you would like to create a more personal and fitting ceremony for your special day, then either a bespoke ceremony or enhanced ceremony is the right choice for you. Enhanced ceremonies can be held in our registration offices or other licensed venues in Nottinghamshire.
Bespoke ceremonies can be held in our licensed venues in Nottinghamshire. They can also be held at unlicensed venues in and around Nottinghamshire. However, at such venues, these ceremonies have no legal standing.
There are various options for personalising your enhanced ceremony, including your own choice of music, poems and readings and exchanging personal promises to each other (in addition to the legal declaration and contract words). There is a wealth of material to choose from but please remember that your civil ceremony cannot have any religious content. Personalisation requests must be agreed by the Registration Team organising your ceremony, to ensure that it will be appropriate for the occasion.
Speak with our registration team to find out more and how to submit your choices. If you have something more specific you wish to include we will be happy to discuss the possibilities.
If you are looking for a “a no frills” ceremony without any personalisation, the standard ceremony is for you. These are only available in registration offices at specific times.
If you would prefer to have a basic ceremony with just the minimum legal requirements (two witnesses only) then the statutory ceremony is available at our register office in Worksop at specified times.
Types of civil marriage ceremony
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. Three 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]
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]
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.
How to pay for your ceremony
Once you have decided on your ceremony, please contact us to check availability and to book a date and time. A deposit will be required to secure your booking.
To find out more about the ceremony costs, visit our ceremony fees page.
If you have any questions about choosing or paying for your ceremony, please get in touch.
Legal requirements
In order to get married you each need to give notice of your intention to marry at your local registration office [GOV.UK]. There is a minimum waiting period of 28 days, unless you are subject to immigration control where the waiting period could be extended.