getting married...

The religious marriage

If you are planning a Church of England wedding you should visit the vicar of the parish church where you live. If you want to be married in the church of another Christian denomination or in the building of another religion, you must give notice in the same way as for a marriage in the register office.You must usually live in the district where you plan to marry, unless the building is your usual place of worship.

Register Office

On this special day please help us and other couples who are being married on the same day by arriving at the register office fifteen minutes before the ceremony.The ceremony is conducted by the superintendent registrar and registered by the registrar, who is also responsible for ensuring that all information which is to be entered into the Marriage Register is correct on the day. He/she will see you and your partner in private to check details. You may choose to be seen together or separately. Although there are words prescribed by law which you must say, there are various ways of personalising your wedding ceremony. Additional vows may be added after the contractual words and a selection of music is available at the offices if you wish. Alternatively, music which is special to you as a couple or a piece of poetry/prose may be read, although neither must be religious in nature. A booklet containing a collection of verse and music is available at Register Offices.

Approved Premises

Ceremonies at approved premises will follow a similar format to that in Register Offices. Many of our approved premises are set amidst landscaped and beautiful gardens in which to have your photographs taken. Responsible officers at approved premises will be delighted to discuss various arrrangements that can be made to make your day really special.