This section includes information on how you can personalise your civil marriage or civil partnership ceremony. It is important that your big day is one you will remember and treasure. Which is why we invite you to include your additions.
We are flexible when it comes to personal additions, however, there are some legal restrictions you need to be aware of. Civil ceremonies are non-religious ceremonies which include both marriages and civil partnerships. The law does not allow religious content to be included in a civil ceremony.
Your ceremony will follow a simple structure, but we are happy to change this if you would rather have something more bespoke.
- entrances
- welcome and introduction - the registrar will speak about the ceremony and the significance of your union. You can also include other personalisation here (optional)
- first reading (optional)
- for marriages: declaratory and contracting words (the legal bit) and vows
- for civil partnerships: the declaration (the legal bit) and vows
- exchange of ring (optional)
- second reading (optional)
- closing the ceremony - the registrar will announce that you are lawfully joined, and you can choose if you want to be invited to share a kiss (optional)
- signing the schedule
- congratulations and exit of couple
You can let us know when you complete your ceremony plan if you would like to make any changes.
Simplifying the ceremony
You may wish to make the ceremony simpler for several reasons. For example, you may be nervous and uncomfortable speaking in front of many guests. We are happy to accommodate your wishes for a simplified ceremony and can reduce the content should you wish.