Your ceremony in Hertfordshire

Helen Weir Photography

Frequently asked questions I understand that my partner and I must be interviewed by the Registrar prior to the ceremony but we don’t want to see each other until I walk down the aisle. Can we arrange this? We can conduct the interviews separately, both at the venues and at our offices, so one of you should arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony is due to start and the other 15 minutes before. Ask your guests to arrive 30 minutes early in order to be seated in the ceremony room, then no-one else will see you until you make your entrance. Who can walk me in? If you wish to be escorted by a member of your family, a friend or you wish to enter together as a couple, the choice is yours. You may also choose to be accompanied by bridesmaids or flowergirls and groomsmen or page boys. Can I arrive fashionably late? Whilst brides are notoriously depicted on television and in films arriving late, this is definitely not the case in reality. Please ensure you arrive on time so the ceremony can start at the time you have booked, as the Registrars will have other ceremonies to attend. Make sure you allow enough time to get ready and to cope with any traffic delays and ask your guests to do the same. Then you can have the enjoyable and relaxed ceremony that you have planned. I am very nervous about saying the words - what if I can’t remember them? Don’t worry, you don’t need to learn or try to remember everything you say, as you will be asked to repeat everything after the Registrar, just a few words at a time. Even if you were to make a mistake they would just say them again for you. The most you will have to say on your own is “I do”! What if I get a fit of the giggles? Sometimes our emotions can take us by surprise and both laughter and tears are part of the same emotion. Rest assured, the Registrars are very experienced at dealing with both and will help you overcome it by giving you time to compose yourself and carry on. Most couples find themselves so busy concentrating on what the Registrar is telling them to do that they sail through the ceremony without any problems!

Can we write our own vows? You must repeat the legal words to contract your marriage but you are welcome to make your own promises when you exchange rings or gifts. The Registrar will need to approve a copy of these first. As these are your personal promises, it is advisable to have them written on prompt cards rather than repeat them after the Registrar. Can we have readings at our ceremony? We have a wide selection of suitable readings in our ceremony brochures. If you wish to choose a reading from elsewhere or to have one especially written for you, the Registrar will need to approve it first. Remember, you may not have a reading with any religious content. What do we do about music for our ceremony? You can have live or recorded music. If it is on CD, the registrars will play it for you (please make sure it is clearly marked with what you want played). If it is on your own device, one of your guests will need to play the music for you. There is a Bluetooth speaker available for use. You may not have religious music but that leaves you plenty of choice from classical wedding music to popular songs. You will need to check with your approved venue what facilities they will have available to you for your music. How do we sign the schedule document? The Registrar will ask you to check all the details on the marriage schedule and then sign your ‘usual signature’ using the names that the ceremony was conducted in. Who can we have as our witnesses? You may choose relatives or friends as long as they understand English and understand the nature and purpose of the ceremony. You must have two witnesses. May our guests throw confetti? Please check with your chosen venue as to what restrictions they may have about where confetti can be used. At most of our Register offices we are happy for your guests to use biodegradable confetti outside the offices. At Hemel Hempstead Register Office, the Forum only natural flower petals are allowed and at St Albans Register Office, the Gatehouse confetti is not allowed at all.

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