PHOTOS BY FRANCIS BIGG PHOTOGRAPHY


The ceremony The registrar will begin by welcoming everyone and


explaining what will happen during the ceremony, reminding you of the solemn and binding nature of the vows you are about to make. The couple will then be asked to declare their intention tomarry,make their vows to each other and exchange rings if they decide to do so.While there are strict legal constraints on the declarations and contracting words you must say, you may also write your own promises to each other, which you can ask the registrar to lead you through on the day.


Before the ceremony G


uests should arrive around 20 minutes before the ceremony is due to begin. They will be shown to a waiting room before being invited into the marriage room at the appropriate time.


Both bride and groom should arrive at the wedding venue 15minutes before the ceremony, so the registrar can finally confirm the information to be recorded on the register, collect any fees which are still owing and check all the details of your ceremony. Bride and groom can be interviewed either together or separately, if they don’t want to see each other before the wedding.


Signing the register


Whatever you do, don’t be fashionably late! While your registrars will make every effort to accommodate a late arrival, they may be committed to other appointments – especially on Saturdays, so do allow for traffic problems and unforeseen hold-ups.


Arrival of the bride The bride can be escorted into the marriage room to


processional music by her father or family friend or the couple can enter together. It is perfectly acceptable to have bridesmaids and attendants if you wish, though if you’re marrying in a register office, bear in mind the restrictions on space.


Suggested format for your civil ceremony


! Pre-arrival music ! Entrance music ! Welcome by the Registrar ! Reading or music ! Legal declarations ! Legal vows ! Promises and exchange of rings


! Reading or music ! Signing the register (signing music) ! Photographs ! Reading or music ! Presentation of the marrriage certificate


! Leaving music D R E A M W E D D I N G S I N B E R K S H I R E • 1 1


In the final part of the ceremony, the registrar will oversee the signing of the marriage register by the bride and groom and two adult witnesses.


At every part of the proceedings, the registrar will explain what is happening and lead the couple through their responses.


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