Ceremonies at Feltham Lodge

The simple answer is no. Punctuality is extremely important and often underestimated, so please allow plenty of time for your journey and plan accordingly. 

You must arrive on time to attend an interview with the registrar before the ceremony. This is essential to ensure all legal formalities are completed before the ceremony can begin. 

We often have other ceremonies scheduled after yours and must keep to strict timings. We are unable to delay another couple’s ceremony, so if you arrive late, it may not be possible for your ceremony to go ahead. 

Please make sure you allow enough time to get ready and travel to the venue, considering possible traffic delays, and parking so you arrive in good time. 

We also ask that you inform your guests of the importance of arriving promptly. Once the ceremony has begun, late arrivals will not be permitted to enter and will need to wait outside until the ceremony has finished. 

Arrival times by venue:

• Approved Venue: Both parties must arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony time.
• The Garden or Jasmine Room: Please arrive 5 minutes before the time stated on your paperwork, ready for your interview. The ceremony will begin shortly after this has taken place.
• The Statutory Room. Please arrive 15 minutes before your ceremony time.

Before the ceremony, you will each be interviewed separately by the registrar. This is a compulsory part of the process and cannot be rushed or carried out at a later.

During the interview, the registrar will check the details you provided when you gave notice of your marriage or civil partnership. This includes confirming that all information is accurate and that names and other details are spelled correctly. At this point any amendments can be made.

Errors found once the documentation has been completed and signed are formal corrections and may involve considerable time and expense to correct.

This number must include everyone who will be present in the room at the time of the ceremony including the couple, the registration staff, the photographer and any singers or musicians. If you are unsure of how a licensed room capacity affects your ceremony, please discuss this with your venue.

Guest numbers are limited to the number stated by the Register Office or venue. Please note this cannot be exceeded in any circumstances. Extra guests will not be permitted in the ceremony room and will have to wait outside.

Yes — personalising your ceremony is positively encouraged.

If your ceremony is at an Approved Venue or in the Garden Room, you will be given a questionnaire to complete ahead of your ceremony. This allows you to choose the elements that will help create a ceremony that is meaningful and personal to you.

Please ensure you return your completed questionnaire in good time:

• Approved Venue ceremonies: at least 8 weeks before your ceremony
• Garden Room ceremonies: at least 6 weeks before your ceremony

If you would prefer not to see each other beforehand, please let the registrar know in advance. It is important that you and your partner arrive separately so arrangements can be made to keep you apart until the ceremony begins.

If your ceremony is at Feltham Lodge at 10:00am on a Saturday, please note that the office opens at 10:00am. Do not worry if you arrive shortly beforehand—the registrar will open promptly at 10:00am and welcome you.

For ceremonies taking place at an approved venue, the events team will ensure that you are kept separately until it is time for the ceremony.

Yes, he can, or you could choose another family member or friend to escort you down the aisle. It would be helpful if you inform the registrar before the day of your ceremony.

Yes. All readings must be submitted for approval at least 6 weeks before the ceremony date. They must not include any religious connotations. You will also need to inform us who will be reading it. Unfortunately, the registrar cannot read it.

Venue ceremonies - up to 2 non-religious readings.

Feltham Lodge ceremonies – 1 non-religious reading.

Please bring copy/copies of the readings on the day for your reader.

All ceremony rooms at Feltham Lodge are equipped with music systems with cd players which also support Bluetooth, allowing you to connect a smartphone to play your chosen music.

Religious music or hymns are not permitted.

You may select classical or popular songs that reflect your personal style.

All music choices must be submitted for approval before your ceremony date.

If you choose not to provide personal music, we will play a selection of classical or popular pieces during the signing of the schedule.

Please check with approved venue regarding equipment.

Yes, you are welcome to exchange short, non-religious personal vows during your ceremony. Please note, for a marriage ceremony, you must still repeat the legal contractual and declarative vows by law.

For a Civil Partnership, the words can be repeated if couple choose to.

Alternatively, the Registrar may include their additional promises to your ceremony whilst you are exchanging rings.

Personal vows must be submitted for approval before the ceremony date.

We recommend printing them on paper or card and give to the registrar on the day of your ceremony.  They will be handed to you at appropriate time during the ceremony. No more than half an A4 page is recommended.

No, they are traditional but are not legally required.

Two witnesses are required. They can be relatives or friends, but they must be able to speak and understand English.

Photography and video recording are welcome before, during, and after the ceremony. The registrar will guide your photographer or videographer to the most suitable position to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly.

If your ceremony is in the Garden Room at Feltham Lodge, you’re welcome to use the garden afterwards for additional photos.

The full names shown on the ceremony paperwork must be used during the formal parts of the ceremony but if either of you is known by a shortened or alternative name and you would like us to use this in the “informal” parts of the ceremony, please tell us.

Emotions can do funny things. Laughing or crying is common. We will give you time to compose yourself before carrying on.  Don’t worry if you make a mistake. You repeat the words after the registrar. We go slowly and it’s just a few words at a time. 

The name you contract the ceremony in and you will be asked to sign your usual signature. For example, a bride will sign her name prior to her marriage as she is not yet able to use the married name.

We would ask you to please check the recorded details very carefully before signing. We appreciate that in the excitement of the moment it may be difficult to concentrate but any mistake that may have been made can be corrected at this stage. Errors found once the documentation has been completed and signed are formal corrections and may involve considerable time and expense to effect. 

From May to September, Feltham Lodge offers outdoor ceremonies on Saturdays. The oak gazebo provides a charming and picturesque setting, with space for up to 30 guests.

Outdoor ceremonies are weather-dependent, but there’s no obligation to use the garden if conditions aren’t suitable — your ceremony can still take place indoors. To help personalise the experience, we provide a speaker system so you can play your chosen music.

Please note outdoor ceremonies are only permitted at venues that are licensed for civil ceremonies. If you're ceremony is at one of the approved venues, please check with them to confirm whether they can accommodate an outdoor ceremony.

Although we do not allow confetti within the building, there is a large lawn and gardens to the rear of our beautiful building where bio-degradable confetti can be thrown. You can buy confetti at the register office.

If you are marrying at an approved venue you will need to check with them if confetti is permitted.

No food or drink is permitted on the premises.

We recognise that ceremonies are a family event, and you are welcome to bring younger members of the family to the ceremony.  However, we would ask that children are always supervised by a responsible adult, who can, if necessary, take them from the ceremony room should they become distressed or are disruptive.  We regret pushchairs, prams and buggies are not allowed in any of the Ceremony Rooms at Feltham Lodge.  Any guests bringing small children to a ceremony at Feltham Lodge must be prepared to remove their child from the pushchair, pram or buggy.

If your ceremony is taking place at Feltham Lodge, local byelaws do not permit any animals on the premises. However, registered guide and assistance dogs are permitted. Please inform us if a dog will attend your ceremony.

Cancellation of your ceremony must be given in writing. We have a detailed cancellation policy listed on our terms and conditions; a copy was given to you. Depending on when you cancel - how far in advance you cancel before your ceremony date - determines whether you are entitled to a refund.

You can apply to change your name on your passport three months prior to your ceremony date by applying to the passport office and completing a form PD2 form. The person conducting your ceremony must sign the form. The fee is £26.00 for the Superintendent Registrar to sign it. Please ensure that the name on your passport and flights/travel bookings are the same if you are travelling after your ceremony.

A certificate can only be issued after the details have been entered on to the electronic register. This means that you will not be able to obtain a certificate on the day of your ceremony.

Certificates can be ordered online at www.hounslow.gov.uk/registration. They cost £12.50 each.