Plan your wedding or civil partnership ceremony

Find out where you can get married, give notice and what happens on the day.

Your ceremony

Below is a guide to what your ceremony can include, what happens on the day, and a sample order of ceremony. 

Once you have read the information below use the link at the end to submit your ceremony options form. 

Personalising your ceremony

We encourage you to personalise your ceremony with music and readings. If you would like to include any other enhancements please speak to our ceremonies team. We will always do our best to accommodate special requests if we can.

Religious content

A civil ceremony may not include any religious content. This includes wording from religious texts, even if they don't mention God or a deity.

For example, the wording 'To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health’ comes from the Book of Common Prayer. This would not be permitted in a civil ceremony.

Dogs and other pets

Dogs and other pets are not allowed in Brighton Town Hall, except for registered assistance animals.

If you're marrying in a different approved premises, you'll need to check their policy on this.

Confetti

You can throw confetti by hand outside Brighton Town Hall. It must be biodegradable. We do not allow Confetti cannons or other high-volume devices.

If you're marrying in a different approved premises, you'll need to check their policy on this.

Civil partnership registration

If you are forming a civil partnership, you can choose to have a simple formation with no ceremony or a formation followed by a celebratory ceremony. Find out what to expect on the day of your civil partnership.

What to expect on the day of your ceremony

Arriving at your venue 

Our registrars are there to help and guide you through the ceremony and registration. Your Registrar Celebrant will welcome you and your guests to the venue. They will lead you through your ceremony, your vows and any personal content you wish to include. 

To ensure your ceremony starts on time 

If your ceremony is at an approved venue your Registrars will be on site at least 30 minutes before your ceremony start time. 

If your ceremony is in the Regency Suite please arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your ceremony start time. 

If your ceremony is in the Council Chamber please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your ceremony start time. 

If you wish to be kept separate from your partner before the ceremony please stagger your arrival times and let the Registrars know so they can make arrangements for you. 

Pre-ceremony interview 

Your registrars will need to do a short and easy interview with you before the start of your ceremony. You can do this interview together or separately. You do not need to bring any documents with you.

This will be done in private and takes about 5 minutes per person.  

This pre-ceremony interview is a legal requirement. The registrar is ensuring that all your details are correct before they go into the marriage or civil partnership register and that you are still happy to proceed with the ceremony.  

Witnesses

You must provide two credible witnesses.  

They must speak English well enough to understand the words of the ceremony and marriage declarations. 

They do not have to provide ID documents.

Order of ceremony 

Sample order of ceremony: 

  1. pre-registration schedule check by Marriage Registrar 
  2. welcome by the Celebrant Registrar 
  3. opportunity for a reading, poem or music 
  4. opening words  
  5. legal declarations 
  6. opportunity for personal vows 
  7. exchange of rings 
  8. opportunity for reading, poem or music 
  9. pronouncement and congratulations  
  10. you and your witnesses will sign the schedule and commemorative certificate.  
  11. brief opportunity for photographs  
  12. closing words 
  13. presentation of commemorative certificate 

Legal Declarations (vows)

Two legal declarations must be spoken by each party to the marriage – these will be repeated after the registrar. You can choose whether you wish to use the modern, traditional or short versions of the declarations.

First declaration

Modern: I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (name) may not be joined in marriage to (name)

Or

Traditional: I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (name) may not be joined in matrimony to (name)

Or

Short: Registrar asks ‘Are you (name) free lawfully to marry (name)’ – answer ‘I am’

Second Declaration

Modern/Short: I (name) take you (name) to be my wedded wife/husband

Traditional: I call upon these persons here present to witness that I (name) do take thee (name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband

Exchanging rings

Many couples choose to include the exchange of rings in their ceremony. The wedding ring is usually placed on the third finger of the left hand of the bride or groom. This is a traditional declaration of commitment to each other. 

Ceremony options form

Use our ceremony options form to let us know your personal choices for your marriage or civil partnership ceremony.

 Give us your ceremony details