Marriage ceremonies

These can take place at any Register Office in England and Wales. They can also be held at premises approved by a local authority. You do not need to have the ceremony in the district where you live.

The only restriction is that civil ceremonies cannot be religious in nature. We are unable to include hymns, prayers or other religious rituals or symbols. Although, you can personalise your ceremony with readings, music and your own vows.

Venues in Calderdale

• See: Approved venues for ceremonies.

Please note: You must book Registration Officers from the local register office to perform and register the ceremony. This cannot be done alongside a celebrant, vicar or minister.

Ceremonies at approved venues

You should contact the venue to check available dates. Do this before you contact the local register office.

When your marriage is booked

You will need to arrange to give notice to your local register office, see: Giving Notice.

A religious ceremony can take place in a church, chapel or other building of religious worship. These must have been formally registered for marriage ceremonies. The service is conducted by a minister in accordance with the religious rites and ceremonies of the premises.

Church of England or Church in Wales

To marry in these churches, you or your partner normally need to live within churches' Parish. Although, you can often marry at a church if you are a regular worshipper there.

If the vicar agrees to marry you:

• they will arrange for your 'Banns' to be read;
• and register the marriage.

In general, there is no need to give notice of your marriage at a Register Office. If you do need to do this, the vicar will advise you.

After your marriage ceremony

Your vicar will return your completed marriage document to the local Register Office for your marriage registration to be completed.

Other places of religious worship

The church or religious building must normally be in the registration district where you or your partner live. If it is outside the district, it must be a place of regular worship for either or both of you. The service will be conducted by a Minister, but at times a Registrar is required to register the marriage.

To book marriages at these venues, contact the Church Minister. They will advise you if you also need to arrange for a registrar to be present.

You will need to give notice of your marriage to your local Register Office. They will then issue you with a schedule to give to the person who will conduct the ceremony.

After your marriage ceremony

The completed schedule is returned to the local Register Office for your marriage registration to be completed.