Royal Borough Registrar Ceremonies Guide - Flipbook - Page 18
privately away from your guests, to ask you to confirm the
legal details and to offer you some last minute reassurance.
We would ask you to be ready in good time, so that we do
not have to compromise the content of your ceremony.
During the ceremony:
We will guide you through the whole ceremony. During a
marriage ceremony, we will ask you to repeat your legal
contracting and declaratory vows after us, so there is no
need to remember anything or feel too nervous. You can
also choose an extra vow for the exchange of rings and/or
write your own personal vows or promises. For a civil partnership,
there are no legally prescribed vows but you can read aloud
the legal statement, or include your own vows which can be
read out or repeated after the registrar. You may also include
personal vows if you choose. We welcome your own choices of
music, poems, readings or other personal elements if you
wish to include them. Likewise if you wish to keep things very
simple, let us know and we will always work with your requests.
Readings/Poems/Songs:
Readings are a wonderful way of personalising your ceremony
and up to 3 can be incorporated into your ceremony if you
choose. It can be very special to choose someone meaningful
to you to present these.
We have a range of our team’s favourite readings to share
with you here, but there are a huge range of readings and
poems available on the internet.
If not one of our suggestions, then please share your readings
with us in advance, so we can confirm they are suitable (as
long as they are not religious, then you can really go to town
choosing anything that suits you and your ceremony), and to
ensure we have a copy with us on the day, just in case.
Music:
Music really adds to the atmosphere and can reflect your
personalities perfectly. From a string quartet or a harp to
your favourite rock tune, as long as it is not overtly religious
in nature, anything goes as far as we are concerned!
Exchanging Rings:
Many couples choose to exchange rings to seal the deal! It
can be nice to include a loved family member, best man,
friend, bridesmaid/page boy or friend to present these during
the ceremony, but you can also have them with you, or on
the table at the front during the ceremony.
Personal vows:
If you wish to write your own vows and read/say them to each
other, you are welcome to do so, and this can be a very special
moment in your ceremony. We can present them to you to read at
the right moment. If you don’t wish to share them with each other
before, then feel free to send them to us separately in advance.
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