Page contents
Congratulations on your forthcoming ceremony. We have provided a rundown of what you can expect on the big day and what preparations you may need to make.
The information below will also help you to complete the checklist for your ceremony requirements.
Please also ensure you have read and understood the ceremony terms and conditions.
Register office ceremony
Ceremonies will be held in the approved ceremony rooms within the register office building. It will not be possible to hold a ceremony outdoors in the grounds of the register office.
Arrival
It is a legal requirement that you are interviewed by a registrar prior to your ceremony. Please be ready for your interview 20 minutes before the start time.
The pre-ceremony interview will be held in a different room to your ceremony. You can be interviewed separately if you choose.
If you would like to be interviewed separately, the groom / partner 1 must be ready for the interview 20 minutes before the start time and the bride / partner 2 must be ready for the interview 10 minutes before the start time.
If you wish to see the registrar together, please be ready for your interview 20 minutes before the start time.
You must be ready to start your ceremony on time, it cannot be delayed by the late arrival of you or your guests. If you are late for your ceremony, you risk not being able to proceed as planned, a reduction to content may be necessary or we may have to conduct your ceremony at the end of the day.
Entering the room
You can choose how to start your ceremony, whether you wish to be escorted by a family member or friend or together as a couple. You may also choose to be accompanied by bridesmaids or page boys.
Ceremony script
Please see the attached choice of three Surrey ceremonies which show the ceremony wording and a choice of the legal declaratory and contractual words that you are required to say to each other during your marriage or civil partnership. These ceremonies cannot be altered and we will not use scripts provided by anyone else.
Music, reading and vows
- Music and reading for your marriage or civil partnerships ceremony
- Choice of legal wording for marriage
Witnesses
On the day you must provide two witnesses who are able to speak and understand English. These may be relatives or friends who will be required to sign the marriage or civil partnership schedule.
Number of guests
There is no legal limit on attendee numbers, other than capacity limits of venues and their risk assessment for safety.
Register office ceremonies will be restricted to the couple and the maximum number of guests that can be safely accommodated within the building and ceremony room. The maximum number of guests must include your two witnesses and interpreter, if required.
These numbers apply to register office ceremonies:
- The couple and 48 guests (including babies and children) at Artington House, Guildford (Buckingham option).
- The couple and 18 guests (including babies and children) at Artington House, Guildford (Windsor option).
- The couple and 48 guests (including babies and children) at Dakota, Weybridge (Buckingham option).
- The couple and 18 guests (including babies and children) at Dakota, Weybridge (Windsor option).
- The couple and 58 guests (including babies and children) at the Mansion, Leatherhead (Buckingham option).
- The couple and 48 guests (including babies and children) at Rylston, Weybridge (Buckingham option).
- Additional guests will not be permitted to enter any part of the register office building. Any attempt to exceed the number of guests will mean that your ceremony will not take place, as this will pose an increased risk to other users of the register office site.
Recording the event
The photographer/videographer will be allowed in the room to take photographs/record the event during the ceremony. Further photographs may be taken in the garden after your ceremony.
If you would like one of your guests to film or live stream the ceremony, they may do so from their seat, using their own equipment.
Please note we cannot accept any responsibility for any damage or loss of any equipment whilst on any premises.
Biodegradable confetti
Biodegradable confetti only, can be thrown outside the building. The use of confetti cannons is not permitted.
Interpreter
If you do not speak or understand English, you must provide a suitable interpreter to attend with you. They will sign a declaration to confirm that they have translated all content for you and are satisfied that you understand the nature and purpose of the ceremony.
Any interpreter used will also be required to sign the marriage or civil partnership schedule as a witness.
Registering your marriage or civil partnership and your certificates
At the end of the ceremony you will be invited to sign the marriage schedule or civil partnership schedule.
A marriage or civil partnership schedule document is required to complete a legal marriage or civil partnership and will be signed by you and your witnesses at the ceremony. The marriage or civil partnership will then be registered in the electronic register by the Registration Service, on receipt of the Marriage Schedule following the ceremony.
Your marriage or civil partnership certificates ordered at the time of booking your ceremony, will then be issued and sent to you within 15 working days of receipt of your schedule after your ceremony.
Ceremony at a licensed venue
Civil marriages and civil partnerships can be held at Approved Premises wedding venues in the room(s) within the built premises which are approved and also at outdoor areas if the venue has this option.
In the event of wet or inclement weather, wedding venues are required to provide a wet weather option, which can accommodate all guests, so that the ceremony can proceed on time, without any delays to move the ceremony indoors or to a covered, dry area. Please consult your venue directly to find out if they offer outdoor ceremonies. Licensed venues are under no obligation to offer outdoor ceremonies and you should consult directly with your chosen venue to find out if this is an option they offer.
It will not be possible to hold an outdoor ceremony at a location that does not hold an approved premises licence.
Please note you can only have your ceremony outdoors during British summer time, which is the last Sunday in March until the last Saturday in October.
Arrival
It is a legal requirement that you are interviewed by a registrar prior to your ceremony. Please be ready for your interview 30 minutes before the start time.
The pre-ceremony interview will be held in an appropriate room. You can be interviewed separately if you choose. Your guests will be assembled in the ceremony room.
You must be ready to start your ceremony on time, it cannot be delayed by the late arrival of you or your guests. If you are late for your ceremony, you risk not being able to proceed as planned, a reduction to content may be necessary or we may have to conduct your ceremony at the end of the day.
Entering the room
You can choose how to start your ceremony, whether you wish to be escorted by a family member or friend or together as a couple. You may also choose to be accompanied by bridesmaids or page boys.
Ceremony script
Please see the attached choice of three Surrey ceremonies which show the ceremony wording and a choice of the legal declaratory and contractual words that you are required to say to each other during your marriage or civil partnership. These ceremonies cannot be altered and we will not use scripts provided by anyone else.
Music, reading and vows
- Music and reading for your marriage or civil partnerships ceremony
- Choice of legal wording for marriage
Witnesses
On the day you must provide two witnesses who are able to speak and understand English. These may be relatives or friends who will be required to sign the marriage or civil partnership schedule.
Number of attendees
There is no legal limit on attendees other than capacity limits of venues and their risk assessment for safety. The number of attendees will be determined by how many people the venue can safely accommodate, (including children and babies).
Please check with your venue about their maximum capacity.
Recording the event
The photographer/videographer will be allowed in the room to take photographs/record the event during the ceremony.
Please note we cannot accept any responsibility for any damage or loss of any equipment whilst on any premises.
Interpreter
If you do not speak or understand English, you must provide a suitable interpreter to attend with you. They will sign a declaration to confirm that they have translated all content for you and are satisfied that you understand the nature and purpose of the ceremony.
Any interpreter used will also be required to sign the marriage or civil partnership schedule as a witness.
Registering your marriage or civil partnership and your certificates
At the end of the ceremony you will be invited to sign the marriage schedule or civil partnership schedule.
A marriage or civil partnership schedule document is required to complete a legal marriage or civil partnership and will be signed by you and your witnesses at the ceremony. The marriage or civil partnership will then be registered in the electronic register by the Registration Service, on receipt of the Marriage Schedule following the ceremony.
You will be issued with a commemorative certificate on the day, and your legal certificate and any others purchased at the time of booking, will be posted to you within 15 working days of your ceremony.