Ceremony Bookings

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This policy applies to all ceremony bookings made with East Sussex Registration Service.

If You Cancel Your Ceremony

All cancellations must be made in writing.

Refunds are issued according to how far in advance the cancellation is made:
When You Cancel Refund Amount
Within 14 days of booking Full refund
Day 15 after booking up to 2 months before ceremony date 75% refund
Between 2 months and 1 month 50% refund
Less than 1 month before ceremony date No refund
  • Amendment fees are never refunded.
  • Certificate and commemorative certificate fees will always be refunded in full, regardless of when you cancel.
  • Statutory fees will always be refunded in full, regardless of when you cancel.

Amendments to Your Booking

Changes to time, date, or venue made 2 months or more before the ceremony are treated as amendments and incur the applicable amendment fee.
If changes are requested with less than 2 months' notice, the change will be treated as a cancellation, and the refund rules above will apply.
For Marriage/Civil Partnership ceremonies; if the venue or date changes, you may require new Notices to be given, you will be responsible for any additional statutory fees.

Postponing a Ceremony

You may postpone your ceremony only if:

  • The postponement is requested 2 months or more before the ceremony date; and
  • A new date is proposed immediately; and
  • Registrars are available on the new date

A postponement is treated as an amendment and will incur the standard amendment fee.
If:

  • No new date is provided, or
  • The postponement is requested with less than 2 months’ notice
    The change will be treated as a cancellation, and the refund rules above will apply.

Late Start or Failure to Proceed

If a ceremony does not begin within 20 minutes of the scheduled time due to late arrival by the couple or guests:

  • Registrars may shorten or adjust the ceremony, or
  • Defer it to later the same day (if possible), or
  • Cancel the ceremony if no registrar is available.

If cancellation occurs for these reasons, no refund will be given.
An additional fee may be charged if the ceremony begins more than 20 minutes late.

Force Majeure

If your ceremony cannot take place due to events outside our control (e.g. severe weather or building closures, etc.):

  • We will make all reasonable efforts to conduct your ceremony as planned, but this cannot be guaranteed.
  • If we cannot proceed, you will be offered a full refund or the option to amend your booking at no additional cost.

Polling Stations

If your ceremony venue becomes a polling station on your chosen date and we are notified of an election or referendum:

  • You may move your ceremony to a new date at no additional cost, subject to availability; or
  • You may cancel and receive a full refund.

Insurance Recommendation

For Marriage/Civil Partnership ceremonies; we strongly recommend purchasing insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances or losses not covered by this refund policy.

Contact Information

To cancel, amend, or discuss your ceremony, please contact:

ceremonieshub@eastsussex.gov.uk or call 0345 60 80 198.