All civil ceremonies, either in a Registration Office or Approved Venue, are arranged through the Registration Service. However, it is the responsibility of the couple to
book the Approved Venue.
Our Registration Offices are all different in character and capacity, and our Ceremonies Team know how to make your day really special, priding themselves on making each ceremony a unique
experience to treasure.
Please feel free to discuss any ideas of your own with the Ceremonies Team prior to the day.
In a civil marriage there are certain words prescribed by law, which you must say, known as declaratory and contracting words. In a civil partnership, it is optional whether
these words are said out loud.
However, there are various ways of personalising your ceremony, such as additional vows which may be added after the contractual words
have been spoken.
You must provide two witnesses, who may be either friends or relatives. It is advisable that they should be over the age of 18, and are able to understand English
as well as the significance of the ceremony they are witnessing.
They will be asked to sign the marriage schedule or civil partnership schedule at the end of the ceremony