Format of the ceremony
The registrars will see you approximately 30 minutes before your ceremony start time for a pre-ceremony meeting. This can be done together or separately. In this meeting the registrars will check that information on your marriage or civil partnership schedule is up to date, before walking you through your ceremony and any personalised elements you wish to include.
Your ceremony will last about 30 minutes, depending on the music and readings you choose. It will be led by your attending registrars.
Example order of marriage ceremony
- Background music of your choice can be played as your guests are seated
- Entrance of the couple (together or separately)
- A welcome and introduction
- A reading by a member of your party (optional)
- The definition of marriage according to the law
- Declaratory words
- The "giving away" of one or both parties (optional)
- Contracting words
- Additional personal vows or promises (optional)
- The exchange of rings (optional)
- Another reading by a member of your party (optional)
- Announcement of the new couple
- The signing of the marriage schedule
- Presentation of commemorative certificate
- Photographs
- Exit of the couple
