We want to make your wedding special, so please let us know your wishes.
General
The Superintendent Registrar will conduct the ceremony, while the Registrar completes the entry in the marriage register.
You must have at least two witnesses to your marriage. They may be friends or relatives, but they should be over the age of 16 and be able to understand the ceremony.
After welcoming everyone to the marriage ceremony the Superintendent will begin by explaining that the room being used has been legally approved as a suitable place for the celebration of marriages and by formally asking if there is any objection to the marriage. The couple will then be reminded of the solemn and binding character of the vows they are about to make.
The legal declarations
The bride and groom make two legal declarations, repeating the words after the Superintendent. The first is a statement that they are free to marry. These statements must be spoken in English; an interpreter will be needed if the bride or groom does not speak English so that the meaning of the ceremony is clearly understood. The second is their commitment to marriage.
Exchanging ring(s)
You do not have to exchange rings but most couples choose to include it as a traditional declaration of their commitment to each other.
After the legal declarations and any additions which the couple have chosen, the Superintendent will declare that the bride and groom are husband and wife.
Signing the register
After the ceremony the registrar will write the bride and groom's details in the marriage register. The registrar will also record the names of the bride and groom's natural or adoptive father as well as details of their occupation. The couple will be asked to carefully check the details and to sign the entry. The witnesses will also be asked to sign.
The bride and groom will then be given their marriage certificate.
Basic ceremony
The basic marriage ceremony at Leeds Register Office or at the approved premises takes about 15 minutes.
Choice of ceremonies
We offer a choice of ceremonies and you can include a reading or poetry but these must not have any religious content. Music can be played before and after the ceremony as well as during the signing of the register. You may bring your own CD, although again, there must be no religious connection.