Births, marriages, deaths and nationality Marriage Ceremonies

Choosing your marriage ceremony

Before the ceremony a Registrar will check the details given at the time of notice are still correct, as this information will be recorded in the register and on your marriage certificate. You have the option of doing this together or separately.

The Superintendent Registrar will begin by welcoming you and your guests followed by the traditional marriage ceremony introduction.

If you have chosen to have the Standard Ceremony, at the standard ceremony fee, then the rest of the ceremony will be the basic standard ceremony with no readings or music.

If you have chosen to have a more personal, Enhanced Ceremony, in the Pankhurst Suite or at an approved premises, then using the checklist and ceremony planner that will be provided to you after you have given notice, you can design the ceremony. There are certain words, which must be included by law, (the Declaration and the Contract) but even here there is an element of choice.

During the ceremony you may include some readings. Any readings need to be submitted to the Ceremonies Section at least one month before the ceremony so that we can check its suitability (e.g. no religious content).

If your ceremony is in the Pankhurst Suite you are welcome to have music played whilst entering the room, if one or both of you have chosen to enter the room down the aisle, and during the signing of the register. We have a selection of traditional wedding tracks but may not have your choice, so feel free to bring your own CD or arrange 'live' music. Please note that the music cannot be religious in nature.

At approved premises you will need to liaise with the management about the availability and facilities for music.

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