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As we have already said, a civil wedding cannot include any religious
references, which means no hymns, no prayers, no spiritual music
or readings with religious reference or significance. Although you
may be able to personalise your wedding with your own
vows, readings
or music, everything
needs to be checked with and approved by your individual registrar
before the day.
The marriage ceremony begins with a welcome and introduction by
the Superintendent registrar. There is no provision in a civil ceremony
for you to actually be 'given away' but some individual registrars
may allow it to be included at this point. You will then repeat
the civil marriage declarations and you have a choice of three versions:
- "I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful
impediment why I, Jonathan Michael, may not be joined in matrimony
to Jacqueline Ann."
- "I declare that I know legal reason why I, Jonathan
Michael, may not be joined in marriage to Jacqueline Ann."
- Or by replying, "I am", to the question:
'Are you Jonathan Michael free lawfully to marry Jacqueline Ann?'
This is followed by your Contracting Words, chosen from the following:
- "I call upon these persons here present to witness that
I take thee, Jonathan Michael, to be my lawful wedded husband."
- "I, Jonathan Michael, take you, Jacqueline Ann, to be
my lawful wedded wife."
- "I, Jonathan Michael, take thee, Jacqueline Ann, to
be my wedded wife/husband."
Rings are usually exchanged at this point and you can choose from
some optional vows below, or even add some of your
own.
- "Jacqueline Ann/ Jonathan Michael, I give you this ring,
as a token of my love, and a symbol of our marriage."
- "Jacqueline Ann/Jonathan Michael, 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."
- "Jacqueline Ann/ Jonathan Michael 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."
At this point, you may like to include 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,
however, the register office should have a music system you can
use.
Once the ceremony has ended, you and two witnesses sign the register
and you can play a piece of music to entertain your guests. Again,
you can either choose something meaningful to you or the registrar
will play something appropriate.
As you lead your wedding party and guests outside you have a final
choice of song or music played. For some ideas about what to choose,
see our feature on Music
for a Civil Ceremony.
Most register offices allow confetti, rice or rose petals to be thrown at the happy couple once you are outside
the building, but a fun alternative is to use
wedding bubbles instead.
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