As with a civil wedding in a register office, you have a choice of
which version of the statutory declaration you want to include, but
you may also be able to include songs, music, readings and poetry.
The marriage ceremony will begin with a welcome and introduction
by the Superintendent Registrar. For example:
Good Afternoon. We are gathered here today, not to witness the
beginning of what will be, but rather what already is! We do not create
this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate
with John & Anna and their friends and families the wondrous and
joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives. So
let the ceremony begin.
Happiness, like opportunity, knocks at doors but doesn't break them
down… Thought and effort are required. It's not until you are
engaged in it that you discover that the pursuit of happiness is really
happiness itself. Thus, a happy marriage is based not so much on love
as on the pursuit of love - the unremitting effort to develop your
own love and to deserve your partner's. And as with happiness, so
the pursuit of love becomes love itself.
There is no provision in a civil ceremony for you to actually be
'given away' although it is possible to include it if your individual
Registrar agrees. You will then be asked to repeat the civil marriage
declarations that you have chosen from these three options:
- I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment
why I, John, may not be joined in matrimony to Anna
- I declare that I know legal reason why I, John may not be
joined in marriage to Anna.
- or by replying I am to the question, Are you, John,
free lawfully to marry Anna?
This is followed by your Contracting Words, chosen from the following:
- I call upon these persons here present to witness that I
take thee Anna/John to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.
- I, John take you, Anna, to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.
- I, John, take thee, Anna, to be my wedded wife/husband.
Rings are usually exchanged at this point and you can choose from
some optional vows or even some of your own.
- Anna/ John I give you this ring, as a token of my love, and
a symbol of our marriage.
- Anna/John, I give you this ring, as a token of my love, and
a symbol of our marriage, I vow to be loving, faithful and loyal
to you, in living our married life together.
- Anna/John as I take you to be my wife/husband, I promise
to love you, honour and respect you. I will stand by you and be
true to you always. I will care for you, laugh with you when you
are happy, comfort you when you are sad. Whatever life may bring
I will always love you.
- This ring I give you in token of my devotion and love. And
with my heart I pledge to you all that I am. With this ring I
marry you and join my life to yours. (Repeat if there are
two rings)
Let these rings symbolise the devotion and commitment each holds for
the other. These rings given in love are a testimony to all who bear
witness, that John & Anna are truly joined together as husband
and wife.
You may now like to include some vows of your own and have a reading
or a poem recited by one of your guests or even a song, sung by
a soloist or your guests. These, of course, will have to be agreed
with the Registrar before the day. You will probably have to provide
your own music as well.
Marriage is not only a commitment between lovers; it is also an
agreement between two friends. Allow each other time to be an individual,
respect each other's wishes as well as their dreams. Now that you
have joined yourselves in matrimony, you may strive always to meet
this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear
witness to this ceremony you have just performed and you may now call
yourselves by those old and respected names - Husband & Wife.
You may kiss the bride.
Once the ceremony has ended you will sign the register, along with
a your two witnesses. These are often parents, bridesmaids, the
best man or even your children. While this is taking place it is
customary for some romantic music to be played as background music.
This can be of your choice or left up to the Registrar's discretion.
This concludes your wedding ceremony and you will lead your wedding
party and guests outside, again to a song or music of your choosing.
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