On your wedding day

It is not unusual for the bride and groom to feel nervous on the day of the wedding - but there is no need to worry - our experienced celebrant is there to lead you through the ceremony and we are available to help and guide you with the preparation beforehand.

Many brides choose to 'make an entrance' at the start of the ceremony and we are happy to discuss your requirements before the day.

After welcoming everyone to the venue, the Celebrant will ask you to confirm your names and will then explain the importance of the vows you are about to make.  You will then be asked to repeat two sets of words, firstly declaring that you are free to marry and then making your contract of marriage with each other.

''I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I …… may not be joined in matrimony to …… ''

and

''I call upon these persons here present to witness that I …… do take thee ……to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)"

These words will be repeated in short phrases after the Celebrant unless you inform us before the day of the ceremony that you wish to use one of the following legal alternatives:

'' I declare that I know of no legal reason why I ..... may not be joined in marriage to .....''
or
By replying ''I am'' to the question "Are you ..... free lawfully to marry .....?"

and

"I ..... take you/thee ..... to be my wedded wife/husband"

If you have decided to exchange a ring or rings, you may wish to include additional words, either one of the choices below or you may wish to choose your own words 

• This ring joins our two lives in one unbroken circle. All that I am I give to you, all that I have I share with you. Whatever the future holds I will love and support you for as long as we both shall live.  This is my promise to you.
• I give you this ring with a faithful commitment to deepen and strengthen my love for you. To support and comfort you through your sorrows and to cherish your joys, for as long as we both shall live
• I give you this ring as a symbol of our love for each other and of our future married life. I promise to care for you with love and friendship. To support and comfort you through good times and through troubled times. To respect and cherish you and to be faithful always.  These promises I make to you for the rest of my life
• I promise - to love and to cherish, to respect and to value, to be loyal and faithful, never to falter through times of joy and times of sorrow, to be sincere, honest and true till death do us part

Please advise us of your choice before the day of your ceremony

The Celebrant will say a short passage in conclusion before declaring you to be husband and wife.

The Registrar will then ask you both to take a seat so that you can check and sign the marriage register (the bride signs in the name by which she is known during the ceremony). Please check the details very carefully.
After you have signed the register, your two witnesses will then be asked to sign.
 
There will then be an opportunity for photographs to be taken before you are presented with your marriage certificate.

Additional copies of the marriage certificate can be provided and we would be pleased to post these to you at a later date.

The marriage ceremony will take approximately 20 minutes

Additions to the ceremony

If you would like to enhance your ceremony and make it more personal, you may wish to include readings or choose your own music (although please note that neither must be religious in nature). Copies of any readings or titles of music choices should be submitted to the Registrar before the ceremony.

Many couples choose to have music when the bride makes her entrance, while they sign the marriage register and as they exit the room together.

Photographs and Videos

If you are having an official photographer or videographer for your ceremony please ask that they consult with the celebrant before the ceremony begins. Your guests will not be permitted to take photographs during the ceremony but they may do so before and afterwards.