A Step-by-step Guide to Planning Your Legal Civil Ceremony

If you’re considering a non-religious wedding ceremony that’s legally recognized, a civil ceremony might be the perfect choice for you. Whether you're planning a small, intimate celebration or a bigger affair, understanding the legal side of your ceremony is an important part of the planning process.

To help you get started, here’s a step-by-step guide to planning your legal civil ceremony, from making your first enquiries to saying I do, we’ve included everything you need to know in 5 simple steps.

If you’re curious about exploring other options take a read of our recent blog about the role of a Wedding Celebrant, ‘Why Do Couples Choose to Include an Independent Celebrant as Part of Their Wedding Day?’.

1.     Choose a licensed venue

Before you can officially book your ceremony, you’ll need to have a provisional date booked with your chosen venue. If you’re planning a legal civil wedding, it’s important to ensure your venue is licensed by the local authority to host civil marriages.

Here in Cornwall, you’ll be spoilt for choice, there’s a stunning array of licensed venues scattered across the county, from coastal hideaways and countryside estates to elegant manor houses and charming garden settings.

You can explore the full list of approved venues on the My Cornwall Wedding section of the Cornwall Council website: My Cornwall Wedding - Find a wedding venue - Cornwall Council pages or via www.cornwall.gov.uk/weddings then go to Wedding Venues

2. Contact your local registrar

Once your venue is confirmed, the next step is to contact the local register office to book your legal ceremony. For Cornwall, please see the contact details below:

Call: 0300 1234 181

Email: mycornwallwedding@cornwall.gov.uk

Visit: www.cornwall.gov.uk/weddings

Instagram: @mycornwallwedding

Facebook: @mycornwallwedding

  If you're getting married at a licensed venue, you'll be booking the register office’s 'Distinctive Ceremony' package, designed for weddings held at approved venues across Cornwall.

An alternative option if your venue isn’t licensed is to legally marry at the registry office itself, or one of their ceremony rooms, before heading to your chosen reception venue for a celebration with friends and family.

To secure your chosen date, time and venue, at the time of booking, a non-refundable deposit will be taken.  The remaining balance is due 30 days before your ceremony, and you can pay this in instalments. The current fee for ceremonies taking place in 2025/2026 is £742

The registration team are all really knowledgeable, and always happy to guide you through the process, ensuring everything runs smoothly from the moment you get in touch.

You can choose your ceremony start time, but popular times such as 1pm or 2pm fill up quickly, so it’s worth booking early. However, the team will endeavor to make every effort to accommodate your chosen ceremony time. For the smoothest flow to your day, we recommend chatting with your venue or Wedding Coordinator about timing. They’ll help you choose the perfect ceremony time based on your guest numbers, plans for the day, and overall vision. 

3. Give notice of marriage

Now you have confirmed your date, time and venue your next step will be to arrange an appointment to ‘give notice’ of marriage or civil partnership.  ‘When you book your ceremony with us, we will send you information outlining everything you need to do for giving notice of marriage or civil partnership.’ My Cornwall Wedding – Cornwall Registry Service Team.  

Notice can be given up to 12 months before your ceremony date or no less than 29 days before, 29 days is the required notice waiting period.  

Here’s what to know:

·       You must give notice in person at your local registration office (where you live, not where you're getting married)

·       You and your partner must have lived in the registration district for at least 7 days before giving notice

·       You’ll need to provide evidence of your name, age and nationality (e.g. valid passport) as well as proof of your address (e.g. driving license, bank statement or utility bill).

·       A notice of marriage is valid for 12 months

If you’re from outside the UK or have different immigration statuses, there may be additional steps so always check with your local registration service or any specific requirements. It is possible that your notice period may be extended from 29 days to 70 days. If you live outside England or Wales, it is advised to give your local registry office a call for further advice.

4. Make it personal - make it yours

We spoke with Jo, the Registration Service Manager at the Cornwall Registration Service, as she explains how to make your wedding completely personal and unique to you.

‘Your wedding ceremony is so much more than a legal formality, it’s the heart of your celebration and a chance to create something truly personal and unforgettable. Lasting anywhere between 30 – 45 minutes, this is your moment to shine, to share your story, and to celebrate your love in a way that feels just right for you.

With My Cornwall Wedding, to help you shape your perfect ceremony, you’ll receive a helpful information pack brimming with inspirations and guiding you through to your special day. About four weeks before your big day, your dedicated Celebrant Registrar will reach out for a relaxed and friendly chat, eager to understand your ceremony dreams. They’ll listen to your ideas, answer any questions, and work with you to craft a ceremony that feels meaningful, authentic, and uniquely yours.

While a few legal phrases must be included, the rest is yours to personalise. Whether you want to write your own heartfelt vows, invite loved ones to share readings or include a symbolic ritual like ring warming, sand blending, or tying the knot, the possibilities are as unique as your love story.

You’ll also have the freedom to choose the music that sets the tone for your ceremony. From a carefully chosen playlist to the magic of live music, you can select songs for those special moments:

• Entrance 

• Signing the schedule

• Couple’s exit

• Optional – music as guests arrive and take their seats

And when it comes to the official part, you’ll need at least two witnesses to sign the marriage schedule, but you’re welcome to include up to six, sharing this honour with more of your nearest and dearest.

This is your day, your story, your ceremony. Let’s make it everything you’ve dreamed of, and more.’

5. Your ceremony day – calm, confident, and full of joy

Jo continues to explain how the this all works on the wedding day as she explains each key stage of the ceremony.

‘On the day of your wedding, your registrar will arrive around 30 minutes before the ceremony begins, giving plenty of time to make sure everything is just right. Before the guests are seated and the music begins, you’ll have some individual time with the registrars to make sure all your information is up-to-date and confirm the details that will be entered into your legal record. It’s also a chance to walk through the ceremony and ask any last-minute questions, all in a calm and supportive setting.

While every ceremony is different here is a typical flow of how your special moment might unfold. But there’s lots of opportunities for you to make it truly yours - personal and meaningful.

• Entrance music to set the scene

• A warm welcome and introduction

• The legal definition of marriage

• Declaratory and contracting words (your legal vows)

• The exchange of rings

• Any personal vows you wish to share

• The formal announcement of your marriage

• Signing the Marriage Schedule

• A few final words from your registrar

• Your joyful walk back down the aisle

• And of course… confetti time!’

A few final words from Jo and the Registration Service Team: ‘Planning a legal civil ceremony might sound a little formal at first, but in reality, it’s a heartfelt and beautiful way to honour your commitment. It’s the moment your marriage becomes official, quietly powerful, deeply personal, and the perfect beginning to a day full of celebration.’

Credits:

Photo 1: Venue - Lusty Glaze
Photo 2: Venue - The Lost Gardens of Heligan | Photographer - Hannah Timm Photography
Photo 3: Venue - St Michaels Resort | Photographer - Olivia Rossi
Photo 4: Venue - Treseren | Photographer - Sofie Michelle Photography
Photo 5: Venue - Trelowarren | Photographer - Freckle Photography
Photo 6: Venue - Cornish Tipi Weddings | Photographer - Toby Lowe Photography