Nottinghamshire Registration and Celebratory Service would like to congratulate you on your forthcoming marriage. We want to help you to make it a very special day. If the information below does not answer all your questions please contact your local Register Office or the office conducting your ceremony.
How do we arrange a marriage ceremony?
Where can we have a civil marriage?
Can we book a ceremony before giving notice?
What does the ceremony consist of?
Can we personalise the ceremony?
Where can we get married?
If you wish to marry in England and Wales you have the choice of a religious marriage in church or a civil marriage in a Register Office or other approved venue.
Religious marriage
You can be married in a church or chapel of the Church of England or Wales by contacting the vicar of the relevant church. To be married in a church of any other denomination (which has been formally registered with the Registrar General), first contact the priest, minister or leader who will advise you to give notice of marriage at your local Register Office.
Civil marriage
From a simple and quiet ceremony with two witnesses at the Register Office, to a more elaborate affair at an approved venue (hotels, stately homes, sports grounds etc), you have a great deal of choice. Please note, however, that civil ceremonies must not contain any religious content (for more specific information please contact the Register Office conducting your ceremony).
How do we arrange a marriage ceremony?
If you intend to marry in England and Wales (other than in the Church of England or Wales) you must both give notice of your intention at the Register Office in whose district your normally reside. If you live in different areas you must each give notice at your own local Register Office. Please contact your local office for specific advice according to your circumstances.
Where can we have a civil marriage?
In England and Wales, a civil marriage may take place at any Register Office or at any venue approved by the local authority.
Can we book a ceremony before giving notice?
Yes, in fact it is advisable to do so. In Nottinghamshire you can make a provisional booking for your ceremony at least 12 months in advance.
For a ceremony in approved premises, you will probably have already discussed dates with the venue of your choice.
However, you must then contact the relevant Register Office to check availability in their diary and to make a provisional booking.
In order to secure this as a provisional booking, a non-refundable deposit of £100 is payable at the time of making the booking.
Having made your provisional booking, you will be advised about the legal process involved i.e. giving notice of your intention to marry.
What does the ceremony consist of?
The Superintendent Registrar will say a few words of welcome and introduction. The bride and groom will then be conducted through their marriage ceremony by saying their marriage vows and by exchanging rings (optional). Having been pronounced as husband and wife the couple and their two witnesses will sign the register, after which the registrar will present the marriage certificate.
Can we personalise the ceremony?
Yes. The basic civil ceremony is short and simple, so you have the opportunity to personalise it in some way. You may wish to:
- ask one of your guests to read a poem
- say some personal vows or promises to one another
- choose your own music which is meaningful to you.
Please note that any such additions must be non-religious and must be discussed and agreed in advance of your wedding day with the office conducting your ceremony. Please also be aware that the content and duration of such additions will be at the discretion of the Superintendent Registrar, but we will do our best to help make your ceremony special and as personal to you as possible.
