A Guide to Civil Ceremonies

Once you have secured your booking at your chosen venue, you MUST contact the Register Office to ensure that the Superintendent Registrar is available on the day and time of your marriage. You will then need to contact the Register Office where you both reside to arrange to give your legal notice of marriage. Generally, you can book the date with the Registrar up to 12 months before the date of your wedding.

The groom and his best man should arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the ceremony. This gives the Registrar time to check the information given on the notice of marriage and to enable the marriage ceremony to proceed. The bride will arrive at the time of the wedding.

For more information concerning fees and so on, please contact the Register Office.

You are required to provide two witnesses. They can be male or female, friends or relatives, but must be at least 16 years of age. However, you do not have to provide a best man.

You may have one ring, two rings or no rings at all. You will be asked to put the ring(s) on a cushion in front of you before the ceremony. You will be told when to put them on during the ceremony.

You will sign in Registration Ink with your usual signature.

Brides may wear anything from a full bridal gown to a simple dress or suit. The Registrar only asks that you treat the ceremony as a serious occasion and dress accordingly.

You may, with permission of the Superintendent Registrar or the Deputy, use a video camera during the ceremony, but not during the signing of the register. A mock signing is arranged afterwards for photographs.

Reading by a member of the wedding party may be included after the civil ceremony and before the signing of the register. There must be no reference to a deity or religion.