Civil weddings and civil partnerships

Your ceremony

All civil marriages and civil partnerships follow a similar format. 
 
After the Superintendent Registrar has welcomed everyone and explained what is about to take place, the couple make their vows. Civil partnership ceremonies use words similar to those spoken during a marriage ceremony. 
 
You must have two credible witnesses present throughout the ceremony who speak and understand English and are able to understand the nature of the ceremony. They will need to sign the marriage or civil partnership register. 
 
A civil ceremony cannot have any religious content, but you may be able to arrange for individual touches such as non-religious music and readings to be added to the legal wording, and for the ceremony to be filmed.