Civil Ceremony - what happens?!

Our wedding was all in one location too and our civil ceremony went like this...

Bride's entrance

Welcome from registrar

Reading from my cousin

Exchange of vows (we wrote ours but you can use ones found online / provided by the registrar)

Ring exchange (we wrote ours too)

Reading from my brother in law

Signing of the marriage certificate

Exit

It lasted 30 minutes in total. I hope that helps x

Hi,

Civil ceremonies are really quite flexible - there are a range of wordings and you can discuss that with your registrar, and they can be very short, just the legal bits, or you can have readings and songs. There are lots of different vows out there, or you can write your own. Or I believe you can even use a traditional set of vows but add additional word sof your own.

Our registrar sent us the text they preferred to use but we can discuss and change that if we want.

Best thing is to make an appointment to go see a registrar in the area you are getting married and speak to them.

Sorry to hijack, Nik_Nak where did you find your readings from? i want something thats romantic but fun and nothing too slushy!

We've been told our ceremony will last about 30 minutes. We are having three readings and writing our own vows in addition to the more traditional ones. We can choose our own music (no religious music or songs that could be considered religious in anyway) and the same with the readings although our registrar did provide examples and ideas. The speeches are kept for the wedding breakfast. You're ceremony could be shorter if you were not having as many readings etc - some people don't have any at all. It's completely personal preference.

Debs35 - no worries, we wanted readings that weren't too serious / slushy and something that reflected our personalities / humour.

My young cousin read the following (my choice) -

He Never Leaves The Seat Up - Pam Ayres

He never leaves the seat up
Or wet towels upon the floor
The toothpaste has the lid on
And he always shuts the door!

She’s very clean and tidy
Though she may sometimes delude
Leave your things out at your peril
In a second they’ll have moved!

He’s a very active person
As are all his next of kin
Where as she likes lazy days
He’ll still drag her to the gym!

He romances her and dines her
Home cooked dinners and the like
He even knows her favourite food
And spoils her day and night!

She’s thoughtful when he looks at her
A smile upon his face
Will he look that good in 50 years
When his dentures aren’t in place?!

He says he loves her figure
And her mental prowess too
But when gravity takes her over
Will she charm with her IQ?

She says she loves his kindness
And his patience is a must
And of course she thinks he’s handsome
Which in her eyes is a plus!

They’re both not wholly perfect
But who are we to judge
He can be pig headed
Where as she won’t even budge!

All that said and done
They love the time they spent together
And I hope as I’m sure you do
That this fine day will last forever.

He’ll be more than just her husband
He’ll also be her friend
And she’ll be more than just his wife
She’s be his soul mate ‘till the end.

And my brother in law read the following (my OH's choice and it went down a storm) -

1955 Rules For A Good Housewife

1. Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before to have dinner ready on time for your husband's return home from work.

2. Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives.Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair.

3. Be a little gay (happy) and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is too provide it. 4. Clear away the clutter in your home.

5. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.

6. Prepare the children, take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces, comb their hair, if necessary, change their clothes. 7. Greet your husband with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

8. Listen to him. He may have a dozen things to say. Let him talk first---what he has to say is more important than what you have to say.

9. Make the evening his. Never complain if he is late or goes out to eat, even if he's been gone all night.

10. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing, and feminine voice.

11. Don't ask him questions about his actions. Remember, he is the master of the house, and you have no right to question him.

12. And finally, a good wife always knows her place.

How wierd! i was suggesting Pam Eyres to my OH esp as hes a Devonian!! Many thanks!