Our registrar will deliver the ceremony you have chosen.
During the ceremony you will each be asked, in turn, to repeat the declaratory and contracting words and to to make your ceremony more personal you can chose from the options below. You may include additional short vows and/or promises, provided they have no religious connotations and are approved by the registrar at least three weeks before the ceremony. You may wish to print them out to read to each other at the ceremony.
After you have been declared legally married, the formal checking and signing of the marriage schedule will take place.
Declaratory words
(a) " I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I ..., may not be joined in matrimony to ..." (Traditional since 1837)
or
(b) " I declare that I know of no legal reason why I ... may not be joined in marriage to ..."
or
(c) by replying "I am" to the question "Are you ..., free lawfully to marry...?"
Contracting words
(a) "I call upon these persons here present to witness that I..., do take thee..., to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)." (Traditional since 1837)
or
(b) "I..., take you..., to be my wedded wife (or husband)"
or
(c) "I..., take thee... to be my wedded wife (or husband)"
Personal vow examples
"As we start our married life together today, I make these promises before our family and friends...I will continually challenge myself to become the best husband/ wife I can be; always looking to put you before myself and making your dreams our dreams. I will love you; I will adore you; I will cherish you; I will be faithful to you. I will stand by your side in all things, the highs and the lows, always finding agreement in everything that we do as husband and wife/ husband and husband/ wife and wife/ life partners."
"I promise to be your faithful husband/ wife. I promise to love you when the sun shines, when the rain falls, in good times and in bad. When you look at this ring, think of me and remember that I love you always. You know me better than anyone in the world and you still love me - for that I will never be able to thank you enough. I am a better person because of you and I will try to be worthy of your love. I promise to be the man/woman that I see now in your eyes, today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives. I love you."
"I promise to try to be worthy of your love in every way, to climb mountains and swim oceans just to be by your side. I will be honest, caring, patient, forgiving and loyal. You fill my life with meaning. Thank you for taking me as I am, loving me, and welcoming me into your heart. I promise to always love you, respect you, and to be faithful to you forever. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
Files available to download
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Civil partnership ceremony scripts (PDF)
Choice of civil partnership ceremony scripts -
Marriage ceremony scripts (PDF)
Choice of marriage ceremony scripts
