Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies at a register office
This guide contains all you need to know about your ceremony at an East Sussex Register Office. Once you have read this information, please complete the ceremony options form (link at the bottom of this page).
Arrival & pre-ceremony interviews
Directly before your ceremony the registrar will meet with each of you separately for a pre-ceremony interview. These are a legal requirement and will take place at the register office at the following times.
The first person 20 minutes before the ceremony begins and the second person 10 minutes before.
During this time, the registrar will be checking your personal information and reviewing your ceremony choices from your options form.
If you'd prefer not to see each other before the ceremony, please indicate this on the options form so that your registrars are aware.
Please ensure you and your guests arrive promptly. Late starts risk a shortened ceremony or postponement to another day. Additional fees may apply if your ceremony is postponed.
The ceremony
Your ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes, depending on any personal elements you have chosen to include. To help you plan, the links below provide examples of the content and order of a ceremony.
Witnesses
You must appoint two guests to be your witnesses. Witnesses must be present throughout the ceremony; they will sign the schedule but do not need to bring identification.
Witnesses must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Speak English
- Understand the purpose of the ceremony
Number of guests
Ceremony room capacities are set according to fire regulations and cannot be exceeded. These capacities include everyone except the registrars: the couple, all guests (including babies and children), photographers, videographers and musicians.
Be sure to check the capacity of your chosen ceremony room. Ceremony room capacities can be found via the links below.
Personal additions
Personal additions are a great way of making the ceremony your own. All additions must be solemn, dignified, and non-religious, and will need to be approved by the Ceremonies Hub. You should include details about all additions when completing the options form. There are various ways to personalise your ceremony, such as.
Music
Music is a key part of setting the tone and a great way of personalising your ceremony. Music is usually played at three key moments: as you enter, while you sign the schedule and when you exit.
If you are playing recorded music you must bring this with you on the day and ask one of your guests to be in charge of playing it. The register office has the following facilities.
- Bluetooth speaker
- CD player
- AUX port (must bring your own cable)
You are welcome to bring your own speaker, but please note you won't be able to plug anything into the mains.
Reading
A reading is a simple yet powerful way to create a special moment in your ceremony. They can provide a chance for you and your guests to pause and reflect on the meaning of love, your relationship and commitment to one another.
This could be a poem, an extract from your favourite book or film, or perhaps something someone has written especially for you both.
Asking a friend or family member to read will make the ceremony feel that bit more personal and is a lovely way of including them in your special day.
Personal vows
Personal vows are a wonderful way to express what your partner means to you and to make promises unique to your relationship, creating a truly special and treasured moment.
They should be solemn, dignified, non-religious and short in length (max 300 words). Please note the vows below cannot be used, either in part or in full due to their traditional use in church ceremonies and religious connection.
'...to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part'
Personal vows will be said in addition to the legal marriage vows or civil partnership declaration.
Legal vows and declarations
Marriage vows
During a marriage ceremony you are both required to say certain legal vows, which you'll repeat after the registrar. You'll be able to select your vows when completing the ceremony options from, you have a choice of three.
Civil partnership declaration
During a civil partnership ceremony, you are both required to read a legal declaration. You can choose to read this to yourself or repeat it aloud after your registrar.
Photography and videos
Photos and videos are welcome throughout the ceremony, they are the perfect way to capture those special moments that will create lasting memories.
You may prefer to leave the photo and video taking to the professionals and have your guests be fully present in your ceremony. Let your registrar know, they'll make an announcement at the beginning of your ceremony letting everyone know it is an unplugged event.
Please share your photos with us. We really enjoy seeing them!
Confetti
Please note confetti is not permitted at the register offices.
Certificates
Pre-purchased certificates will be posted to you within two weeks of your ceremony. If you'd like to purchase additional certificates and your ceremony has not yet taken place, please call the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198.
If your ceremony has already taken place in East Sussex (excluding Brighton and Hove) additional certificates can be ordered online.
Ceremony keepsakes
To purchase your keepsakes, you can either call the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198 or indicate this on your options form and we will call you to take payment.
Ceremony personalisation appointment
Personalisation appointments give you the chance to attend one of our register offices and meet with a registrar to complete the options form. If you'd like more information or would like to book an appointment click here.
Alternatively, you can complete the options form in your own time and submit the form to the Ceremonies Hub for approval.
Ceremony options form
You should submit your options form at least one month before your ceremony date, ensuring you have included details of all personal additions.
A reminder that religious or explicit content is not permitted, and all additions must be approved by the Ceremonies Hub.
Before completing the options form, you should have
- Both given your legal notice of marriage/civil partnership
- Read all the information above
- Decided on all personal additions
Great, you're ready to complete your options form!
Questions
If you have any further questions, please contact us
Phone: 0345 60 80 198