www.belfastcity.gov.uk/marriages
3
Welcome to Belfast
Your special day
Locations for your civil ceremony
4 Arranging a civil ceremony
5 Civil partnership ceremonies
Ceremonies at approved venues
6
7
8
9
On the day of the ceremony
The wedding ceremony
The civil partnership ceremony
Religious weddings
2
Marriages and civil partnerships
welcome
to Belfast
Thank you for deciding to hold
your ceremony here in the city of
Belfast. We hope you will find this
booklet useful as you go about
making your arrangements.
Queen Victoria granted Belfast ‘city’ status in 1888. It is now a popular short-break destination
and one of Europe’s top visitor destinations.
It is situated on Belfast Lough at the point where two rivers converge. It also straddles the boundaries of counties Antrim and Down.
As a city, Belfast is compact and intimate. Much of
its rich legacy of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian
architecture remains intact and many buildings have
been revitalised with contemporary design.
Evidence of its industrial history can be found
beneath the twin cranes in the Harland and Wolff
shipyard and in the references to the linen trade in street and place names.
Places of interest abound including vibrant shopping centres, the lively Cathedral Quarter,
Queen’s University, historic buildings and many new hotels and restaurants.
Don’t forget to give notice of your marriage or
civil partnership at Belfast City Hall before you
start making any other arrangements
Your special day
Legislation now allows you to get married or form a civil partnership in the Belfast Registration
Office or in one of the approved venues within
the district.
In a city as large as Belfast, there are plenty of options to consider for your celebrations. There is a selection of premises to choose from, many of which provide an excellent backdrop for your photographs.
The Belfast District registration staff will be most happy to assist in making your special day a memorable occasion.
Locations for your civil ceremony
The Registration Office
You can have your civil ceremony in our
Ceremony Room at the Registration Office in
Belfast City Hall. We have a number of registrars
available to perform ceremonies and the office
can accommodate up to six ceremonies each
day. The room is available for viewing by prior
appointment during normal office working hours.
Approved venues
The council also owns several approved venues including Belfast Castle, Malone House, the Waterfront Hall and the Ulster Hall.
Registrars can visit all these venues to perform civil ceremonies.
Other venues in Belfast District have licences to
hold civil ceremonies (current list enclosed on a
separate sheet).
These venues include hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and similar public places such as the Grand Opera House.
3
Marriages and civil partnerships
Civil partnership
ceremonies
Ceremonies at
approved venues
Civil partnership and marriage ceremonies follow
the same process and attract the same fees. Both
partners must complete the civil partnership notice
forms and provide the same legal documents that
are needed for a marriage.
Marriages and civil partnerships can also be
performed at approved venues.
Ceremonies at venues take place at
• 12 noon or 3pm weekdays
• 12 noon and 3pm on Saturdays
When you check availability with an approved
venue, you will be given an AP1 Form. Once
you’ve completed this form, you should check
the availability of a Registrar as soon as possible.
When you have done this, you must follow the
procedure for giving notice. It is the same as the
one we have outlined for a ceremony in the
Registry Office.
Fees for a ceremony at an approved venue are different from those at the Registry Office. See the price list we have enclosed.
You must agree the choice of music in advance
with the Registrar and with the approved venue.
Each couple is responsible for providing the music
they would like to have played at their ceremony.
This must be non-religious and may be played at
the times shown below:
a. as the guests are being seated in the
Ceremony Room
b. as the bride or partner enter the Ceremony Room
c. during the signing of the Schedule
d. exit of couple
5
On the day of the ceremony
Timing
Please note that this is a busy office and we may
have ceremonies every hour. If you fail to keep to
the timetable we may have to postpone or cancel your ceremony.
Access
Pedestrian access is through the main entrance of
the City Hall. There will usually be parking available
in the rear courtyard only. This can accommodate
up to two vehicles from Monday to Friday and up
to four vehicles on a Saturday. A stretch limousine
may count as two vehicles.
You must book your cars in and supply all vehicle
registration numbers to City Hall security at least a week before your ceremony (telephone 9027 0233).
If you would like to arrange to have photographs
on the marble staircase after the ceremony, you
must ask permission in advance from City Hall
security on the above number. The time available
for photographs is l5 minutes.
Formalities
You need two witnesses over the age of 16 years
to sign the schedule. Dress is your choice – bridal
parties may come in casual wear or formal wear. A
bride or partner may carry flowers and you may
also bring fresh flowers for the room. Rings are not
essential but may be given or exchanged. You will
need two people as ushers to show guests to their
seats in the ceremony room as the Registrar will be
busy with the couple. The ceremony room holds a
maximum of 70 people including the couple and
the two witnesses. All guests must be seated.
6
Photographs
It’s important that you make photographers aware
of the timing of the ceremony. One person may
photograph the exchange of rings but no other
photographs can be taken during the ceremony.
There will be opportunity for photos at the end.
One person may video the complete ceremony.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the
premises.
Interpreters
Where an interpreter is required or requested,
the registration service will be pleased to advise
you about how this can be arranged.
Music
We can provide suitable non-religious music which may be played as we have outlined on page
five, or you may bring your choice of music which
must be compiled on one recordable CD.
The following are not permitted:
• religious words or music;
• confetti, rice or candles;
• animals – other than guide dogs.
Marriages and civil partnerships
The wedding ceremony
20 minutes before ceremony
Please note: The groom, his witness and the two ushers must be with the Registrar
to complete final details.
10 minutes before ceremony
Please note: The bride, her witness (and person giving bride away if relevant) must
be with the Registrar to complete final details.
At ceremony time
The bride may be given away or the couple may enter the room together.
The Registrar commences by welcoming everyone, says some words of introduction and generally sets the scene.
Optional:
At this point one guest may read a non-religious verse lasting no more than two
minutes. The full text and the name of person who will say the verse must be
sent to the Registrar before the wedding day.
Then the Registrar will prompt each of the parties to say the following two legal
declarations. There is no need to be nervous as the Registrar will just ask each of
you to repeat them slowly, a phrase at a time.
I do solemnly declare
that I know not
of any lawful impediment
why I [name] may not be joined in
matrimony to [name]
and
I call upon these persons here present
to witness that I [name]
do take you [name]
to be my lawful wedded wife/husband
Optional:
At this point, an extra vow may be included so we suggest this popular one
which the Registrar will ask each of you in turn:
Will you solemnly promise that you will always protect this woman (or man)
with your utmost care, that you will honour and cherish her (or him) in sickness
and in health, for richer or for poorer and that in all things you will be to her (or
him) a faithful and loving husband (or wife)
All you have to reply is “I will”
Or
if you want an extra vow of your own, which you (not the Registrar) will say
to each other - you must submit the text for our approval at least two weeks
before the wedding day.
Rings: If you are using rings - the Registrar will prompt you to say
“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and of our marriage today.”
Signing The Registrar declares you are married, the schedule is signed by the and
bride, groom and two witnesses. Then there is time for photographs photos:while the Registrar prepares a copy of your marriage certificate.
20 minutes after
ceremony time
The Registrar presents a certificate to the bride and groom.
25 minutes after
ceremony time
By this time all the wedding party and guests should be leaving the City Hall.
7
The civil partnership ceremony
20 minutes before
ceremony
The couple, their witnesses and the two ushers must be with the Registrar to complete final details
At ceremony time
Either partner may be given away or the couple may enter the room together.
The Registrar commences by welcoming everyone, says some words of
introduction and generally sets the scene
Optional:
At this point - one guest may read a non-religious verse lasting no more
than two minutes. The full text and the name of person who will say the
verse must be sent to Registrar before the civil partnership day.
If wished, the Registrar will prompt each of the partners to say the following
two declarations. There is no need to be nervous as the Registrar will just ask
each of you to repeat them slowly, a phrase at a time.
I do solemnly declare that I know
not of any lawful impediment
why I [name] may not register a
civil partnership with [name]
and
I understand that on signing
the civil partnership Schedule
I [name] will be forming a civil
partnership with [name]
Optional:
At this point, an extra vow may be included so we suggest this popular
one which the Registrar will ask each of you in turn:Will you solemnly promise that you will always protect this woman (or
man) with your utmost care, that you will honour and cherish her (or
him) in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer and that in all things
you will be to her (or him) a faithful and loving partner?
All you have to reply is “I will”
Or if you want an extra vow of your own, which you (not the Registrar)
will say to each other - you must submit the text for our approval at least
two weeks before the civil partnership day.
Signing and T
he Registrar will then invite the couple to sign the schedule,
photos:
followed by the two witnesses.
Rings:
If you are using rings - the Registrar will prompt you to say “I give
you this ring as a symbol of my love and of our Partnership today.”
The Registrar declares you are now civil partners and there is then time for
photographs while the Registrar prepares a copy of your civil partnership
certificate.
8
20 minutes after
ceremony time
The Registrar presents a certificate to the couple who then lead everyone
out of the Ceremony Room.
25 minutes after
ceremony time
By this time - all the civil partnership party and guests should be leaving the City Hall.
Belfast District Registration Office for Marriages and Civil Partnerships
The Registrar’s Office
City Hall,
Belfast BT1 5GS
Telephone
Direct line:
Website:
10
9032 0202 (ext 6369 and 6373)
9027 0455
www.belfastcity.gov.uk/marriages
www.belfastcity.gov.uk/civilpartnerships
Office hours for enquiries or applications: Monday to
Thursday 9.30am - 4.30pm and Friday 9.30am - 4pm.
The ceremony room is open for viewing on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am to 9.30am only.
Marriages and civil partnerships
Notes
11
12