On the day
Understandably, you will have questions about your big day like, Who can attend our wedding? What will happen once we arrive on the day? Can we take photos? These are just few questions you may have about your big day!
Who can attend our wedding?
You will need to have two adults with you to be witnesses to your marriage. Both of them must be able to understand the marriage ceremony in English.
If you wish to have bridesmaids and/or pageboys we will seek to make them feel special.
All our marriage rooms are accessible for wheelchair users. Please contact us for advice if there will be more than two wheelchair users attending. Guide dogs are welcome to accompany their owner. Within the marriage rooms a loop system operates for those with hearing difficulties.
Getting to Town Hall
Both of you, together with all your guests, should arrive at the office at least 10 minutes before your appointment. You should come into the building through the entrance on Town Hall Square. Lift access is available on Horsefair Street.
What will happen once we have arrived?
A registration officer will come to the waiting room to invite both of you into the room. The registrar will ask you a series of questions to check the details for the register. The information required is similar to that given at the time of giving notice. In addition, the registrar will ask for the full name of your natural father, adoptive father if you have been legally adopted, or your step-father.
The superintendent registrar will check with you whether or not you will be giving a ring to each other during the ceremony. If you are, you will be asked to put them on the ring-cushion at the front of the room.
Your guests will then be invited to join you in the room, and your witnesses will be asked to sit with you. The wording of the ceremony is available to download at the bottom of the page.
What happens after the ceremony?
After the ceremony, you will both sign the register, along with your witnesses. The superintendent registrar and the registrar will complete the entry by signing it, and you will be presented with your certificate.
Photography
There will then be an opportunity for photographs, and you may also wish to make use of our photographic room, which is available for 15 minutes.
What if one of us does not understand English?
Usually you would ask someone to act as your interpreter. The interpreter can be a friend or relative who is able to read and speak both English and the language in which you communicate with each other. A copy of the marriage ceremony in both languages will be provided. Translations are currently available in more than 25 different languages.
Can you help if we don't have an interpreter?
If there is no-one you can ask to be your interpreter then we may be able to find someone for you. You should tell us at the time of giving notice if you want us to arrange an interpreter for your wedding. If you notify us less than seven days before the wedding day, this may involve re-arranging the date and time for your wedding until an interpreter is available.