Preparing for The Big Day
On this page you will find further details about:
The Big Day itself
Late arrival
Although it may be traditional for the bride to be late, it is important that your ceremony starts promptly as the Registrar may be attending other ceremonies after yours.
At the Register Office, you need to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled ceremony time for the pre-ceremony interview. At an approved venue we will arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony time.
If you do not arrive on time, we may need to shorten your ceremony or leave and return later in the day so as not to impact other couples.
Identification
You do not need to bring any identification with you on the day. This is except for the very rare circumstance that you have legally changed your name between giving notice and the day of the ceremony. If that is the case, please bring along your document proving your change of name.
Photographs and video
We ask that your guests refrain from taking photos during the ceremony, however, a nominated photographer may take photos of the entrance of the bride and on the exchange of rings. For reasons of data protection, photographs cannot be taken of the actual signing of the marriage schedule. There will be plenty of opportunity for photos afterwards with a blank schedule.
Music and readings
Many couples choose to have music when the bride makes her entrance, while they sign the marriage schedule and as they exit the room together. If you would like to enhance your ceremony and make it more personal, you may wish to include readings, poems or choose your own music. You should provide copies of any readings, poems or titles of music choices to the ceremony coordinator at ceremonies@herefordshire.gov.uk before the ceremony. This is so we can ensure your choices are suitable and comply with the requirement that there is no religious content at a civil ceremony.
Witnesses
On the day of the wedding, you will need to bring at least two other people who are prepared to sign to say they have witnessed and understood the ceremony in full. Ideally because of this responsibility, we ask that witnesses are over the age of 18. We do not provide witnesses for you at the ceremony. If an interpreter is required, this person must sign as a witness.
How long the ceremony lasts
A civil partnership formation without a ceremony only takes a few minutes. This will depend on the optional extras you choose to include. A basic ceremony at the Register Office lasts about 15 minutes, with no additional readings or poems. Full length marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, which can include readings, poems and additional vows, generally last around 25 minutes.
Rehearsal
There is not a rehearsal before a civil ceremony. You will be asked to complete a ceremony plan in advance of your ceremony which will allow you to provide your choices of words, readings and music. We also do not currently offer a service to meet your registrars. Your ceremony plan will be shared with the registrars to help prepare for your ceremony.
Vows
You can say your own vows if you wish. These must be non-religious in content, and you will either need to memorise them or bring them written or typed so that you don't forget them on the day. We also ask you to send us a copy with your ceremony plan so we can check the vows are acceptable.
Rings
There is no legal requirement for you to exchange rings at a marriage or civil partnership ceremony, however many people choose to do so. The ceremony plan includes some wording you can choose from for the exchange of rings.
Animals and birds
We do not allow any animals or birds at either the Register Office or Herefordshire Council premises, except for assistance dogs. For other venues, you would need to check with your venue. However, we do ask you to tell us if you are planning to have animals or birds as part of your ceremony because we would need to review our risk assessment for our staff.
Amending your ceremony
We charge an amendment fee if you need to change the date, time or venue of your ceremony; and also if you change your ceremony from a civil partnership to a marriage. There may also be additional costs for the venue and/or the registrar fees if your new date is more expensive than your previous date. For further information see our fees page.
Religious blessing after a ceremony
Marriages in approved premises may be followed by a religious blessing provided the Registrars have left the building. There must be a clear break between the civil ceremony and the religious proceedings. The blessing should not take place before the civil marriage ceremony.
Getting your marriage or civil partnership certificate
At your ceremony, you and your partner will sign an official document called either a schedule or marriage document. You can each include up to four parents on the form (natural parents, adoptive or step-parents). After the ceremony, this document is sent to the Register Office, where the details are added to the electronic register.
After that you can get your marriage or civil partnership certificate. Regardless of where your ceremony takes place, you will need to order your marriage or civil partnership certificates, because they cannot be produced until you have paid for them.
If your ceremony is at the Register Office, or a registrar attended your venue
If your ceremony is at the Register Office, or a registrar attended your venue, the document will be returned by the registrar to the Register Office.
The details from the marriage schedule will be entered on to the electronic register and your certificates will be produced within 7 days of the ceremony, provided an order has been placed for them.
Certificates can be collected from the Register Office or will be sent by second class post.
If your ceremony took place in a church where no registrar was in attendance
If your ceremony took place in a church where no registrar was in attendance, you will sign a marriage document instead of the register during the ceremony.
The minister or their representative will be expected to return the marriage document to the local Register Office within 21 days after the ceremony. Details of the ceremony will then be entered onto the register within the following 7 days.
Once an order is placed, certificates can be collected from the Register Office or will be sent by second class post.
Why the certificate ordering service refers to a 'copy' certificate
The certificate ordering service refers to a 'copy' certificate because the original record is the one that remains at the Register Office. Every certificate ordered will be a certified copy of the original even if this is your first order.
Commemorative certificates
As marriage and civil partnership certificates cannot be issued on the day of the ceremony, we offer a commemorative certificate that can. These certificates do not carry any legal status but provide immediate recognition of the ceremony that has just taken place. Commemorative certificates can be requested in advance and cost £13 each.
We also have a range of certificate boxes available, which make a lovely memento of your day and a beautiful way to keep your certificate safe. Certificate boxes can be purchased at the Register Office, or can be ordered in advance to be provided on the day of your ceremony. Each box costs £10.
To order a box, email ceremonies@herefordshire.gov.uk
