The ceremony fee should be paid in full at least one month before the date of the ceremony. Payment can be made by cash, credit/debit card or cheques made payable to 'Southampton City Council' with a valid guarantee card.
The fee includes one certified certificate that will be presented to you at your ceremony. Should you wish to have more certificates, these can be ordered at this stage.
Please complete the ‘Notes for Ceremony’ form found in your pack and return it least one week before your ceremony. Please include any music CD's, copies of readings or additional vows.
The following information should help you to decide which choices you would like to make for your ceremony
Attendants
You may wish to have a best man, best lady, ring bearer, bridesmaids or page boys. For a marriage ceremony there is the option for the Bride to be given away by her Father, Step-Father or by another chosen member of her family or friends. Couples having a civil partnership ceremony may also wish to enhance the beginning of their ceremony in a similar way.
You should inform the registrar of your choice on the 'Notes for Ceremony' form.
Guests
Guest numbers will depend on the venue you have chosen. The maximum number for each venue is specified in accordance with fire safety regulations.
Music, Additional Vows and Readings
You may wish to enhance your ceremony with music, additional vows or a reading. These arrangements should be confirmed with the registrar at least one week in advance of your ceremony. Please note the ceremony cannot by law, include any material of a religious nature. Should you wish to provide a musician please check with us to ensure so that any necessary arrangements in the room can be made.
Witnesses
You are required to provide two witnesses to your ceremony. They can be family or friends but must able to understand English.
Marriage Ceremony
On the day of your marriage ceremony the Bride and Groom will need to speak with the registrar in private immediately prior to the ceremony. At this point the information that is to be entered into the marriage register is legally checked. The Bride and Groom can be interviewed together or separately if they are not intending to see each other before the ceremony.
Civil Partnership Ceremony
On the day of your civil partnership ceremony, the couple will need to speak with the Authorised Person in private, immediately prior to the ceremony. At this point the information contained on the schedule is confirmed. The couple can see the Authorised Person together or separately if they don't wish to see each other before the ceremony.
Marriage Ceremony Contracting and Declaratory Words
During the ceremony you will be required to say the words of a declaration affirming that you are free to marry and a contract which states that you are marrying each other . There are three options for each detailed in your pack. You should inform the registrar of your choice on the 'Notes for Ceremony' form.
Civil Partnership Vows
The ceremony will be tailored to suit your requirements, including any additional vows or readings. Included in your pack are some suggestions of vows that you may like to say to each other at the formation of your partnership.
Rings
It is traditional that the Bride and Groom or Civil Partners exchange rings as part of their ceremony. You may decide that only one or both of you is to exchange rings or neither of you - the choice is entirely yours and the ceremony can be adapted accordingly. The ceremony can be tailored to suit your requirements, including any additional vows that you may like to say to each other. These vows can be read to each other or repeated after the Registrar or Authorised Person. Alternatively you may like a reading. Any reading must not contain any religious content and can be read by a guest or the Registrar or Authorised Person.
It is traditional (but not compulsory) for a woman to change her surname to that of her husband's after marriage, and likewise many couples may wish to follow this tradition after a civil partnership. There is no legal process to register your new name after marriage or civil partnership in this Country. However, you will need to inform organisations who you have contact with of your new name and some will require to see a certified copy of your certificate. The pdf list is a guide to the organisations you may need to inform If you are not a British National you will need to check with your own Embassy to see if you will have to register your name with them.
Confetti
Your guests are allowed to throw confetti in the grounds of Bugle Street, but not in the rooms. Confetti is available to purchase from reception.
If your ceremony is taking place at one of our approved venues, please check their restrictions.
Flowers
The ceremony rooms at Bugle Street are decorated with beautiful silk flower arrangements, for which we make no extra charge. The displays in tones of green and cream, have been recently designed and created by a local florist, and will compliment the colours of outfits you choose for your ceremony.
If you are having your ceremony at one of our Approved venues, you should check what is supplied with the venue.
Photographs and Videos
There will be opportunities for photographs and videos to be taken provided that these do not interfere with or interrupt the ceremony. Please check with the staff on duty for photographic and filming restrictions.
Duration of Ceremony
The ceremony will take approximately 30 minutes, including the interview before and photographs in the ceremony room after.
Parking and Travel
If you are having your ceremony at Bugle Street, we are pleased to be able to offer parking facilities for the Bride and Groom and attendants. As spaces are extremely limited we would kindly request that your guests are advised to use one of the alternative car parks in the area, such as Mayflower Park, The Quays or Castle Way. To see more about parking in Southampton, please follow the link.
If your ceremony is at one of our approved venues, you will need to check their parking arrangements.
May we also advise you to consider your travel and parking arrangements into the City especially on Saturdays when traffic can be quite heavy. Events such as the Southampton Boat Show, home matches at St. Mary's Football Stadium and visiting cruise liner traffic can affect traffic considerably. Please be sure to allow for these events when planning you special day.
Southampton City Council
