Please see the order and structure of the marriage ceremony below, which you can use as a starting point to write your own personalised ceremony, with the legal words that must be said in bold:

 

Entrance of the bride/ groom/ couple

Welcome from the registrar to couple and guests

Legal wording: This place in which we are now met, has been duly sanctioned, according to law, for the celebration of marriages.

Wording about the meaning of marriage/ personal details about the couple (OPTIONAL)

Legal wording: If there is any person here present who knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, then they should declare it now.

[1ST READING (OPTIONAL)]

Legal wording: Both partners must use one of the following three declaratory words:

  1. I do solemnly declare, that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (your name) may not be joined in matrimony to (your partner’s full name).
  2. I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (your name) may not be joined in marriage to (your partner’s name).
  3. The Registrar asks: “Are you (your full name) free, lawfully, to marry (your partner’s full name)?” You reply “I am.”

[2ND READING (OPTIONAL)]

Legal wording: Both partners must use one of the following three declaratory words:

  1. I call upon these persons, here present, to witness that I (your full name) do take thee (your partner’s full name) to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.
  2. I (your full name), take you (your partner’s full name) to be my wedded wife/husband.
  3. I (your full name) take thee (your partner’s full name) to be my wedded wife/husband.

[PERSONAL VOWS (OPTIONAL)]

[RINGS (OPTIONAL)]

  • Registrar’s words about the meaning of rings
  • Ring words repeated by both partners as they exchange rings

[3RD READING (OPTIONAL)]

[SIGNING OF THE SCHEDULE]

Registrar’s concluding words and pronouncing the couple to be husband/wife and wife/husband.

[COUPLE DECLARED AS THEY WISH- i.e. John and Jane or Mr and Mr Smith]

Exit of the couple and guests