Wedding ceremony wording
The civil partnership ceremony
Civil partnership ceremonies follow the same format as a civil wedding ceremony, if you choose to have it. However, it is the signing of the schedule by the couple, witnesses and the Registrar which forms the legal contract.
Wording option one
20 minutes before ceremony
Party one, the witness and any ushers must be with the Registrar to complete final details.
10 minutes before ceremony
Party two and the witness with the Registrar to complete final details.
At ceremony time
The Registrar commences by welcoming everyone with some words of introduction and generally sets the scene.
The Registrar can ask the following question:
Who give this woman (or man) to be married to this man (or woman)?
Or
Do you give your loving support to the union of [name] and [name]?
The Registrar can ask these questions to an individual, parents or to all the guests.
Optional:
At this point, one of your guests may read a non-religious verse. The full text and the name of person who will say the verse must be sent to the Registrar before the wedding day.
Then the Registrar will prompt each of the parties to say the following two legal declarations. There is no need to be nervous as the Registrar will just ask each of you to repeat them slowly, a phrase at a time.
“I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I [name] may not be joined in matrimony to [name]”
and
“I call upon these persons here present to witness that I [name] do take you [name] to be my lawful wedded wife / husband.”
Optional:
At this point, an extra vow may be included, so we suggest this popular one which the Registrar will ask each of you in turn:
Will you solemnly promise that you will always protect this woman (or man) with your utmost care, that you will honour and cherish her (or him) in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer and that in all things you will be to her (or him) a faithful and loving husband (or wife)?
All you have to reply is “I will”.
or if you want an extra vow of your own, which you (not the Registrar) will say to each other – you must submit the text for our approval at least two weeks before the wedding day, at your civil ceremony final appointment.
Rings
If you are using rings, the Registrar will prompt you to say:
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and affection now and always and of our marriage today."
Today you have pledged your commitment to each other. May you always begin each day with fresh hope in your hearts. May you have happiness by being happy with one another and may you find love in loving one another.
Signing and photos
The Registrar declares you are married. The schedule is signed by both parties and two witnesses. Then there is time for photographs in the room.
The Registrar will then prepare for the exit of the couple and ask their guests to make their way to the staircase for photos.
Wording option two
This ceremony is like option one but includes different wording.
20 minutes before ceremony
Party one, the witness and any ushers must be with the Registrar to complete final details.
10 minutes before ceremony
Party two and the witness with the Registrar to complete final details.
At ceremony time
The Registrar commences by welcoming everyone with some words of introduction and generally sets the scene. They will then ask an individual, nominated people or the room if they give support to the union.
Optional:
At this point, one of your guests may read a non-religious verse. The full text and the name of person who will say the verse must be sent to the Registrar before the wedding day.
The Registrar will say:
Today is a celebration. A celebration of commitment, of love and of friendship.
[Name] and [name] met by chance and fell in love, but they are here today because they have made a choice and that choice is to be with each other, simply because they make each other happy.
All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long, some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part.
For [name] and [name], their love story brings them here today. It’s a time to look back and smile at all the moments that have brought them here today and now it’s the time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come.
Then the Registrar will prompt each of the parties to say the following two legal declarations. There is no need to be nervous as the Registrar will just ask each of you to repeat them slowly, a phrase at a time. I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I [name] may not be joined in matrimony to [name]
and
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I [name] do take you [name] to be my lawful wedded wife / husband.
Optional:
At this point, an extra vow may be included, so we suggest this popular one which the Registrar will ask each of you in turn:
Will you solemnly promise that you will always protect this woman (or man) with your utmost care, that you will honour and cherish her (or him) in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer and that in all things you will be to her (or him) a faithful and loving husband (or wife)?
All you have to reply is “I will”.
or if you want an extra vow of your own, which you (not the Registrar) will say to each other – you must submit the text for our approval at least two weeks before the wedding day, at your civil ceremony final appointment.
Rings
If you are using rings, the Registrar will first say:
We have now come to the exchange of rings, which is the traditional way of sealing the commitment you have both just made. The ring is an unbroken circle, it has no beginning and no end. It symbolises unending and everlasting love and is an outward sign of the lifelong promise you have made to each other.
And then prompt you both to say:
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and affection now and always and of our marriage today."
Today you have pledged your commitment to each other. May you always begin each day with fresh hope in your hearts. May you have happiness by being happy with one another and may you find love in loving one another.
Signing and photos
The Registrar declares you are married. The schedule is signed by both parties and two witnesses. Then there is time for photographs in the room.
The Registrar will then prepare for the exit of the couple and ask their guests to make their way to the staircase for photos.
