Getting married or forming a civil partnership is an exciting time, but it can also be difficult to know where to start when planning your special day.
This simple guide sets out the most important steps you will need to consider. Our excellent team are also here to advise and support you in planning your celebration and can be contacted on 01970 633580 if you have any queries.
Choosing if you would like a marriage or civil partnership will be your first consideration.
Civil partnership
A civil partnership is formed when the couple sign a civil partnership document in the presence of the registrar and two witnesses. There is no requirement to hold a ceremony, but you can choose to do so if you prefer.
Civil partnerships are available to both opposite sex couples and same sex couples.
Marriage ceremony
During a marriage ceremony you will need to say certain vows in the presence of registrars and two witnesses.
Civil marriages are available to both opposite sex couples and same sex couples.
Additional information regarding the difference between a marriage and civil partnership.
Religious or civil marriage ceremony?
If you choose to get married, you will need to consider whether you want a civil or religious ceremony.
Civil ceremony
You can have a civil marriage at an approved venue or our ceremony rooms.
- Registration Officers will need to be booked to attend to conduct and register your marriage ceremony.
Religious ceremony
You can have a religious marriage ceremony in a place of worship, such as a church or chapel which holds a licence for marriage.
- You will need to arrange the attendance of a minister etc to conduct the marriage service (this is usually done via your chosen chapel or religious building).
- Additionally, the presence of a Registrar is usually required to legally register marriages held at chapels, registered buildings and certain churches.
- If you decide to be married in a church belonging to the Church in Wales then you should contact the vicar of that church who can advise you on the process. In general, the presence of a Registrar is not required at marriages conducted in a Church in Wales building.
Please contact us if in any doubt whether or not a Registrar is required to be in attendance at your religious marriage ceremony.
There are many beautiful and meaningful places for marriage and civil partnerships within Ceredigion – it all depends on what suits you and your needs.
You therefore need to choose a location from one of our licensed venues, ceremony rooms, churches or religious buildings.
Browse a list of our licensed venues and read about our ceremony rooms.
Once you have decided upon a venue (licensed venue, church or religious building), liaise with them directly regarding their availability to accommodate your ceremony.
After you have discussed a provisional date with your chosen venue, telephone us on 01970 633580 to book the attendance of our Registration Officers at the ceremony. This should be done as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
This can be done up to 2 years in advance of the ceremony date (if the ceremony will be held at an approved premises or registered building).
A £30 booking/administration fee will be payable at the time of booking. This fee will be deducted from the final ceremony fee payable, but is non-refundable if the ceremony does not go ahead.
The booking will remain as provisional until both parties to the marriage or civil partnership have undertaken the legal requirement of entering their notices.
There may be occasions when we are unable to accommodate your preferred ceremony date and/or time, but will be happy to work with you to find a suitable alternative.
You need to book a venue for your ceremony before entering your notices of marriage or civil partnership as the location must be recorded on the notice document.
Entering notice is the legal preliminary to getting married or forming a civil partnership.
You can give notice up to 12 months in advance of your ceremony, but this must be done by you both at least 29 days prior to your ceremony (or 71 days if you are subject to immigration control).
We would strongly recommend that you aim to complete this vital process 3-6 months ahead of your ceremony to avoid any disappointment and to ensure you have sufficient time to plan your ceremony.
You need to have arranged your ceremony venue prior to your notice appointment as the place of marriage or civil partnership must be recorded on the notice document. Your ceremony can then only take place at this named venue. If you change the venue following your notice appointment, you will need to enter notices and pay the relevant fee again.
Telephone our office on 01970 633580 to book a notice appointment.
We want your ceremony to be as special and personal as possible. If you are holding a ceremony at a licensed venue or Ceredigion Ceremony Room, an information pack will be sent to you after the notice procedure has been completed.
This ceremony pack will contain information regarding arrangements for the day but also options to personalise your ceremony such as choice of vows, personal promises, readings, music and other enhancements. The ‘ceremony planning form’ included will need to be completed so that you can let us know what you would like to incorporate within your ceremony. A ceremony discussion appointment will also be arranged with a registrar to finalise details and to answer any questions you may have.
Guidance contained within the ceremony pack will explain the procedure and arrangements for the day itself (in addition to having been confirmed during the ceremony discussion appointment).
Our registrars will meet with you immediately prior to the ceremony to check final details.
Please note that the ceremony must commence promptly at the time agreed and booked to start.