Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies at a register office
This page provides information for those having a ceremony at one of our Register Offices. After reading it, please complete the ceremony options form using the 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 short pre-ceremony interview. These are a legal requirement and will take place at the register office at the following times.
- First person: 20 minutes before the ceremony start time
- Second person: 10 minutes before the ceremony start time
What happens in the interview
The registrar will:
- Check and confirm your personal details
- Confirm the ceremony choices from your options form
If you'd prefer not to see each other before the ceremony, please mention this on your options form so that your registrars are aware.
Arriving on time
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 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. The capacity includes everyone except the registrars. Yourselves, children, babies, and photographers are all counted.
Be sure to check the capacity of your chosen ceremony room. Details about capacities can be found using the links below.
Personal additions
Personal additions are a great way of making the ceremony your own. Below you'll find some of the ways you may like to personalise your ceremony.
Please note the inclusion of religious additions are not permitted. All additions must be approved by the Ceremonies Hub ahead of the ceremony.
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.
The register office has the following facilities available for you to use.
- Bluetooth speaker
- CD player
- AUX port (must bring your own cable)
You must bring your music with you on the day and ask one of your guests to be in charge of playing it.
You are welcome to bring your own speaker, but please note you won't be able to plug anything into the mains.
If you are having live music, any singers/musicians will count towards the capacity of the room.
Reading
A reading is a simple yet powerful way to create a special moment in your ceremony. They can provide a moment to pause and reflect on what love means, and the commitment you're making.
This could be a poem, a passage from a favourite book or film, or something someone has written especially for you.
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 provide you the opportunity to share what your partner means to you and make promises unique to your relationship. They help create a a memorable and treasured moment.
They should be solemn, dignified, non-religious, and no more than 300 words.
Please note the vows
'...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'
are those used in religious ceremonies. Because of their religious connection, they cannot be used in a civil ceremony, either in part or in full.
Personal vows are 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 the perfect way to capture those special moments. These can be taken throughout the ceremony.
Alternatively, if you would like an unplugged ceremony, let your registrar know and they will inform your guests at the start.
Confetti
Please note confetti is not permitted at the register offices.
Certificates
Pre-purchased certificates are posted to you within two weeks of your ceremony. To purchase certificates for marriages and civil partnerships taking place in East Sussex:
- Ceremonies that have not yet taken place - call the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198
- Ceremonies that have already taken place - certificates can be ordered online.
Ceremony keepsakes
The following keepsakes are available for you to buy. To make payment please call the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198.
Ceremony options form
Please submit your options form at least one month before your ceremony date.
A reminder that:
- Religious and explicit content is not permitted.
- All additions must be approved by the Ceremonies Hub.
- You must include details of all additions on the options form.
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