What to expect on the day of your ceremony
What to expect on the day of your ceremony
Our staff will ensure that you know what will happen on your ceremony day. You may find this information helpful for you and your guests, so you know what to expect on the day.
Read more about:
- ceremony arrival time
- identification
- length of the ceremony
- giving away the bride or groom
- guests attending the premises
- assistance dogs and emotional support animals
- the use of confetti
- readings and music
- photographers
- military wedding attire
- using a translator
- parking at the Register Office
- after your ceremony at York Register Office
Ceremony arrival time
Before the ceremony begins the registrar must check all the details which will be recorded on the civil schedule.
If your ceremony is taking place in our Bootham Suite, please arrive 15 minutes before your ceremony time so we can interview you. If you’re being seen separately, please stagger your arrivals; we would recommend one of you arrives 20 minutes before and the other 10 minutes before.
If your ceremony is taking place at one of our other venues, please arrive 30 minutes before your ceremony time so we can interview you. If you’re being seen separately, please speak to your ceremony coordinator at the venue to confirm how you should stagger your arrivals.
Identification
You do not need to bring ID with you on the day of your ceremony. The registrar will ask you to confirm details that you provided during your notice appointment. However, if you have changed your name since giving notice, please contact us as we’ll need to see proof of the change of name. To contact the register office, please email: registrar@york.gov.uk.
Length of the ceremony
The ceremony will last between 15 and 25 minutes depending on your choices for the ceremony.
Giving away the bride or groom
We have an aisle so that one of the wedding party can be escorted into the Bootham Suite.
If your ceremony is taking place in one of our licensed venues, please speak to the ceremony co-ordinator at the venue.
Guests attending the premises
Everyone is included in your guest numbers except the couple, 1 professional photographer, those working at the venue and babies who are being held.
Additional guests cannot be invited to congregate outside of the building or in our gardens for the duration of the ceremony or afterwards to congratulate you. This is to prevent people gathering and congregating together and to ensure that the entrance to the building is free for people to enter and exit safely.
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals
Assistance Animals attending a ceremony at York Register Office
An assistance animal is a dog that has been trained to support a disabled person with day-to-day activities and enables greater independence and access to services.
Requests to attend a ceremony with an assistance animal will generally be accommodated wherever reasonably practicable.
The owner or handler remains responsible for:
- Maintaining control of the animal at all times.
- Ensuring the animal is well behaved and does not cause disruption.
- Managing the animal's welfare, feeding, toileting and supervision requirements.
- Any damage or injury caused by the animal.
If your ceremony is taking place at another venue and you require guidance or information, please contact your venue representative directly.
Emotional Support Animals attending a ceremony at York Register office
An emotional support animal (ESA) provides comfort or emotional support but is not specifically trained to perform tasks related to a disability.
Requests for emotional support animals will be considered on a case-by-case basis and approval is not automatic. Consideration will be given to:
- The nature and location of the ceremony.
- The size and suitability of the venue.
- Health and safety considerations.
- The potential impact on other attendees.
- Any operational requirements or restrictions.
- Allergies, phobias, and other relevant medical or support needs.
Approval will be subject to specific conditions being applied.
If your ceremony is taking place at another venue and you require guidance or information, please contact your venue representative directly.
The Process to request an assistance animal or support animal to attend a ceremony
Individuals wishing to bring either an assistance animal or emotional support animal to a ceremony must notify York Register Office by emailing ceremonies@york.gov.uk as early as possible and no later than 14 days before the ceremony wherever practicable.
The request should include:
- The type of animal.
- The purpose for which the animal is required.
- Details of the handler attending with the animal.
- Any relevant information that will assist in assessing the request.
Declaration Requirement
To ensure the safety, welfare and comfort of all ceremony attendees, any person seeking approval for an assistance animal or emotional support animal to attend a ceremony will be required to complete and sign an Animal Attendance Declaration Form.
The declaration will confirm that:
- The information provided is accurate.
- The animal is suitably trained, socialised and under control.
- The animal is in good health and fit to attend a public event.
- The animal has up-to-date vaccinations where applicable.
- The owner or handler accepts responsibility for the conduct, welfare and supervision of the animal.
- The owner or handler accepts liability for any loss, damage, injury or disruption caused by the animal.
- The animal may be refused entry or asked to leave if it poses a risk to health, safety, welfare or the dignified conduct of the ceremony.
Failure to complete the declaration may result in permission being withheld.
Refusal of Requests
York Register Office reserves the right to refuse a request where:
- Health and safety requirements cannot be met.
- The presence of the animal would present a significant risk to others.
- The venue is unsuitable for the animal.
- The animal is likely to cause undue disruption to the ceremony.
- Required documentation or declarations have not been provided.
Any decision will be communicated sensitively, and alternative arrangements will be considered where possible.
Animals Arriving Without Prior Approval
Requests for an assistance animal or emotional support animal should be submitted in advance wherever possible. Where a request is made on the day of the ceremony, we will endeavour to assess it, but approval cannot be guaranteed. The start of the ceremony will not be delayed while a request is being considered, and attendance of the animal may be refused if the assessment cannot be completed before the scheduled ceremony time.
Removal During a Ceremony
An animal may be required to leave the venue if:
- It becomes disruptive or aggressive.
- It is not under the effective control of the handler.
- It compromises the safety or wellbeing of attendees.
- It interferes with the conduct or dignity of the ceremony
The use of confetti
You're more than welcome to use biodegradable confetti in our garden. However, if you're getting married at an approved venue you will need to check with your wedding coordinator.
Readings and music
Due to legal constraints, we're not able to allow any religious readings or music during a civil ceremony.
You can select up to 2 readings or poems as part of your ceremony. You must include a copy of each reading when you return your ceremony planner.
You’ll be asked to provide a playlist (when you complete your ceremony planner) regardless of your venue so that we can ensure your music choices are suitable.
If you do not want to select music and your ceremony is at our Bootham Suite you can request that we can play suitable music when you are signing the legal documents.
Speak to your venue about music arrangements if your ceremony is not at our Bootham office.
Photographers
Photo opportunities will be limited to those taken by guests or a photographer from their seats. We're unable to provide photo opportunities with an additional register. If your ceremony is in our Bootham Suite, you can have up to 20 minutes in our gardens to take photos if you wish.
Military wedding attire
You can wear military wedding attire to your civil ceremony, and this may include a military sword which is specific to armed forces.
However, you may need to consult your chain of command and obtain permission beforehand. They can also write a supporting letter which can be emailed to: registrar@york.gov.uk
Any weapons, such as a military sword, must remain sheathed in their scabbard at all times—they should never be drawn—and must be securely kept on your person while at the venue. This ensures both safety and adherence to military protocol.
It is your responsibility to ensure they are securely transported to the venue and not used to threaten.
Using a translator
If you require the use of a translator, they're required to sign the register as a witness to the marriage and must be included in the maximum number of persons who can attend your ceremony.
Parking at the Register Office
We do not have any parking facilities at our office. There are 2 car parks nearby (Marygate and Bootham Row). Please make your guests aware of this.
The traffic can be very busy in York. It can be a challenge to find car parking spaces as there are public events being held in York throughout the year. Please bear this in mind and allow time to arrive and park.
After your ceremony at York Register Office
After the ceremony, you will be invited to join the registrar for the signing of the schedule. You will both be asked to check all your personal details carefully and then sign along with your witnesses and the registrars. Please take a few minutes to check the information to ensure it is correct.
You and your partner will then make your exit out of the ceremony room to your chosen music and begin life together!
The registrar in attendance at your ceremony will take your completed schedule on to the registration office for you and arrange for your marriage to be entered into the national system.
