Make your ceremony choices

Please read the guidance below before completing your Choices part 1 - ceremony script  and Choices part 2 - ceremony arrangements online through your customer account. 

Please be aware that after submitting your choices you will not be able to make any changes online. Please email the ceremonies team at ceremony@gloucestershire.gov.uk with any additional information or to advise of any changes you wish to make.

This guidance will help you fill in your form accurately and the result will enable the registration service to provide you with the ceremony of your choice.

Guidance by section:

Choices Part 1 - Ceremony Script

For your ‘ceremony script’ the wording is broken down into different sections and for each section, three options of wording to choose from will appear. Read carefully what is in the boxes and select the relevant option that relates to your choice. 

If you see a ‘Not required’ option in the drop-down list of a particular section, this means that the wording is optional, and you do not have to include this as part of your ceremony.

If you can see 'Mandatory' next to the ceremony choice, this is a statutory requirement of the marriage ceremony so wording must be selected and added. '

In italics you will find the words that are spoken by the registrar at every ceremony. 

Where you have selected to write your own promises or ring vows you will find text boxes in the ceremony arrangements section for you to type the full wording, alternatively you can email any wording for your own ring vows or promises to the ceremonies team. We welcome these personal touches from you for your special day, and we will work with you to ensure they are seemly and dignified as appropriate for the occasion. Please note, our decision on what is deemed seemly and dignified will be final.

Giving Away – This refers to the part of the ceremony where someone is asked the question about giving you away and is required to stand with you and answer “I Do”.

Once you have chosen and completed everything you will have a chance to view what you have selected.

Please remember that you will not be able to make any changes online once you have clicked the final lock and submit button.

Choices Part 2 - Ceremony Arrangements

Ceremony booking reference number can be found in the original email confirmation of your booking and needs to be accurately recorded for cross reference.

Full name – this is your full name you gave when you attended your local register office to give notice of marriage.

Informal name – this is the name you would like to be referred to in the non-legal parts of the ceremony (i.e. full name David, informal name Dave). If you do not use an informal name, please just enter your first name here.

How would you like us to announce you at the end of the ceremony? – this is not a legal announcement but is used purely to announce you both at the end of the ceremony.  For example:  Bride & Groom, Mr and Mr Smith, Sarah & Jane,  or any other formation that you would like.

Will the couple kiss at the conclusion of the ceremony? - answer 'Yes' or 'No'.  If yes, then the traditional words will be spoken by the registrar, offering you to kiss each other.

Number of guests – This needs to be entered as a number and include everyone who is expected to attend your ceremony. Please check with your venue for maximum number permitted.

Are you having bridesmaids, pageboys, supporters and/or ushers? - answer 'Yes' or 'No'.

Number of attendants e.g. bridesmaids, pageboys, ushers – please only include the number of people who will make an entrance into the ceremony room with you e.g., bridesmaids, flower girls, ushers, page boys etc. Names of attendants are not required, number only.

Do you wish to play music at your ceremony – answer 'Yes' or 'No'. 

Tick the box to confirm your music choices are non-religious.

Please note: all music played must be non religious - this is essential as religious music is not permitted during your ceremony. 

We do not need to know which tracks you have chosen. When thinking about your music choices we would advise the following:

• 3 or 4 tracks to play whilst your guests are assembling
• If someone is making an entrance into the room, you may want a special song/track to be played for this
• 2 or 3 songs/tracks for the time you are signing the register
• 1 track if you want a special song for the couple to exit the room to

If you are having live musicians please inform us in the important information box at the bottom of the ceremony arrangements page.

If you are marrying in one our register offices, you will need to provide your music. Please bring your music on the day of your ceremony on a digital device, such as a tablet, mobile phone, or similar. You will also need to bring a wireless speaker. You will need to nominate a guest to be responsible for operating your device. Please note devices cannot be plugged in.

If you are marrying at one of our approved premises, please contact your venue to arrange the playing of the music.

Voice Recordings – If you are planning on having a voice recording (voice note) play before your music starts, please make a note of this under the important information box at the bottom of the ceremony arrangements page.  Please confirm that the voice recording is non-religious, how long the voice note is and provide a transcript of the recording.

Will you enter together? - Are the two people who are getting married entering the ceremony room together and, if that is the case, seeing each other before the ceremony starts. Answer 'Yes' or 'No'.

Giving Away - You can choose for either one or both of you to be formally given away by a family member or friend. This option comes with associated wording which can be found in the 'Giving Away' section in the Choices part 1 - ceremony script.

Will Partner 1 be formally given away? - answer 'Yes or 'No'. A text box will appear if the answer is 'Yes', please enter the name of the person giving Partner 1 away.  The same applies to the next question regarding Partner 2.

Please note, if you would rather be simply escorted into the ceremony room, please select 'No'.

Escorted into the ceremony room - As an alternative to a formal giving away, you could choose to be escorted into the ceremony room by a family member or friend. No words are spoken.

Will Partner 1 be escorted into the ceremony room? - answer 'Yes' or 'No'. A text box will appear if the answer is 'Yes', please enter the name of the person escorting Partner 1 into the ceremony room. The same applies to the next question regarding Partner 2.

Are you writing your own Promises or Ring Vows? - If yes, please enter the text in the box which will appear.  Please ensure that you do not include any religious content, as this is not permitted in a civil ceremony, and please ensure your chosen wording is seemly and dignified. Alternatively you can email the full wording of your promises to the ceremonies team ceremony@gloucestershire.gov.uk Please ensure this reaches us no later than two months before your ceremony date.

 

Are you having readings at your Ceremony? – answer 'yes' or 'no' on your ceremony choices page. Then enter select either, '1 reading', '2 readings' or 'no readings' on your ceremony arrangements page. 

Please note: all readings must be non religious -  this is essential as religious readings are not permitted during your ceremony. 

Title/s, Author, read by and the FULL text of your reading/s – Please copy and paste or type the information and full text of your reading/s into the box(es) provided.

Full name of the person who will be responsible for the rings (if applicable) - First name and Surname is sufficient and their relationship to you. Please enter N/A if you are choosing not to have anyone in this role.

Full name of Witness 1 and 2 – first name and surname is sufficient.

Video and Photography - answer 'Yes' or 'No'.

Do you plan to have any animals at your ceremony? - answer 'Yes' or 'No'. If the answer is 'Yes', please provide as much information as possible. Please note: only assistance dogs are allowed in Registration Offices.

 

Any important information we should know, or details of any further additions to your ceremony? - This is an opportunity for you to let us know special information, for example one of you needs to sit throughout the ceremony, voice recording etc. If you are planning to have any additions to your ceremony, such as a handfasting or ring warming, please provide us with as much information as you can for our consideration. If we need more detail from you, we will be in touch. If you do not have anything to inform us about just leave the box empty.

If you have any questions regarding the completion of your ceremony choices, please do not hesitate to contact the ceremonies team on 01452 425060 (option 3) or email us at ceremony@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Make your Ceremony Choices