The ceremony

The Registrars will guide you through your ceremony so there is no need for worry.
Please arrive on time as the Registrar will need to conduct a pre-ceremony interview which is a requirement by law before the ceremony can take place.

Marriage

Vows are declarative and contractual. They form the legal requirement for marriage.

The ceremony begins with a short introduction by the Superintendent Registrar, who will remind you of the solemn and binding character of marriage. Each of the parties must then repeat the following declarations in the presence of the superintendent registrar, the registrar and the witnesses:

The first vows are the legal declarations which declare that you are free to marry.

Please choose one of these three options:

Option 1 ‘I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (full name) may not be joined in matrimony to (full name)’

Option 2 ‘I declare that I know of no legal reason why I, (full name), may not be joined

in marriage to (full name).’

Option 3 By replying ‘I am’ to the question

‘Are you (full name) free lawfully to marry (full name)?’

The contractual declarations make you Husband/Wife, Husband/Husband or Wife/Wife.

Please choose one of these three options:

Option 1 ‘I call upon these persons here present to witness that I (full name) do take thee (full name) to be my lawful wedded husband/wife.

Option 2 ‘I (full name) take you (full name) to be my wedded wife (or husband)

Option 3 ‘I (full name) take thee (full name) to be my wedded wife (or husband)

Rings may be given and received before the second set of vows, if desired. The registrar can say a few words for you to repeat at this stage of the ceremony.

Please do tell the registrar if you would prefer not to do this.

The Superintendent will declare the couple married and conclude the ceremony.

The formal signing of the schedule will then take place.

Civil Partnership

There is no legal requirement to say any words for a civil partnership. The signing of the document by both parties and the two witnesses, makes it legally binding. However, you may want a ceremony. There are some words you may wish to repeat.

I declare that I know of no legal reason,

Why we may not register as each other’s civil partner.

I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other.

Rings may be given and received, if desired. The registrar can say a few words for you to repeat at this stage of the ceremony.

Please do tell the registrar if you would prefer not to do this.

The Registrar will declare the couple to be entered into legal civil partnership and conclude the ceremony.

The formal signing of the schedule will then take place.

You will not need to learn the vows as you will repeat the words, a few at a time, after the Registrar.

For ceremonies taking place at Feltham Lodge, please indicate your choice of vows on the day of your ceremony.

For outside venues please indicate your choice on the venue questionnaire which will be sent once you have attested your legal notices of marriage or civil partnership.

If you would like to add some personal vows to your ceremony please follow the guidance below:

- They must be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance of the ceremony date.

- The content must be appropriate for the ceremony. It must be ‘seemly and dignified’ and must not contain any religious connotation, in any form.

- If you find it hard to write your own words, the Registrar can add their own extended promises to make the ceremony more special for you, however, these vows will not be sent to you or published.

- Please do not leave any questions or additions until the day, as you may be disappointed. We can be contacted at our email address – registeroffice@hounslow.gov.uk

Download and view our frequently asked questions about wedding ceremonies