Whilst most couples getting married at Leeds Register Office choose our basic ceremony (option 1 below) we are pleased to offer a selection of ceremonies to suit your needs.
Option 1
Once you and your guests are seated, the Superintendent Registrar will say a few words of welcome, and then begin the ceremony as follows:
"This place in which we are now met has been duly sanctioned, according to law, for the celebration of marriages. You are here today to witness the joining in matrimony of & & and & &
If any person present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, he or she should declare it now.
BRIDE AND GROOM STAND
& .. and & .., before you are joined in matrimony I have to remind you of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make. Marriage according to the law of this country is the union of one man with one woman, voluntarily entered into for life to the exclusion of all others.
Now I am going to ask each of you in turn to declare that you know of no lawful reason why you should not be married to each other.
Will the bridegroom please say the following words after me.
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I & .. may not be joined in matrimony to & .
And now the bride. (repeat above)
Now the moment has come for & .. and & . to contract their marriage before you, their witnesses, family and friends. Will you all please stand?
RINGS MAY BE EXCHANGED BY THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Will the bridegroom please say the following words after me.
I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage and I call upon these persons here present to witness that I & . do take thee & & ... to be my lawful wedded wife. & .
And now the bride. (repeat above)
& . and & . you have both made the declarations prescribed by law and have made a solemn and binding contract in the presence of your witnesses here today.
It gives me great pleasure to declare that you are now husband and wife.
Option 2
Once you and your guests are seated, the Superintendent Registrar will begin the ceremony as follows:
We are here today to celebrate the marriage of & .. and & ..
And on their behalf I would like to welcome you all to & & . I m sure it means a great deal to them that you can be here to share in their happiness on this occasion.
This place in which we are now met has been duly sanctioned, according to law, for the celebration of marriages. You are here to witness the joining in matrimony of & & and & & If any person present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, he or she should declare it now.
BRIDE AND GROOM STAND
& .. and & .., before you are joined in matrimony I have to remind you of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make. Marriage according to the law of this country is the union of one man with one woman, voluntarily entered into for life to the exclusion of all others. The purpose of marriage is that you may always love, care for and support each other through all the joys and sorrows of life. It is a partnership in which two people can pledge their love and commitment to each other; a solemn union providing love, friendship, help and comfort to you both through your life together.
Now I am going to ask each of you in turn to declare that you know of no lawful reason why you should not be married to each other.
Will the bridegroom please say the following words after me.
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I & .. may not be joined in matrimony to & .
And now the bride. (repeat above)
Now the moment has come for & .. and & . to contract their marriage before you, their witnesses, family and friends. Will you all please stand?
RINGS MAY BE EXCHANGED BY THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Will the bridegroom please say the following words after me.
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I & . do take thee & & ... to be my lawful wedded wife. I promise to love and care for you and to be faithful to you always. & & I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage, as a lasting reminder of the vows we are making today, and as a symbol of all that we share, now and always.
And now the bride. (repeat above)
& . and & . you have both made the declarations prescribed by law and have made your promises to one another in the presence of your witnesses here today.
It gives me great pleasure to declare that you are now husband and wife.
Option 3
Once you and your guests are seated, the Superintendent Registrar will begin the ceremony as follows:
We are here today to celebrate the marriage of & .. and & ..
And on their behalf I would like to welcome you all to & & . I m sure it means a great deal to them that you can be here to share in their happiness on this occasion.
This place in which we are now met has been duly sanctioned, according to law, for the celebration of marriages. You are here to witness the joining in matrimony of & & and & & If any person present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, he or she should declare it now.
BRIDE AND GROOM STAND
& .. and & .., before you are joined in matrimony I have to remind you of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make. Marriage according to the law of this country is the union of one man with one woman, voluntarily entered into for life to the exclusion of all others.
The purpose of marriage is that you may always love, care for and support each other through all the joys and sorrows of life; and that love may be fulfilled in a relationship of permanent and continuing commitment. Today & & and & & wish to publicly affirm this commitment and offer each other the security that comes from legally binding vows, sincerely made and faithfully kept.
Now I am going to ask each of you in turn to declare that you know of no lawful reason why you should not be married to each other.
Will the bridegroom please say the following words after me.
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I & .. may not be joined in matrimony to & .
And now the bride. (repeat above)
Now the moment has come for & .. and & . to contract their marriage before you , their witnesses, family and friends. Will you all please stand?
RINGS MAY BE EXCHANGED BY THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Will the bridegroom please say the following words after me.
& . I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage, as a token of my love and affection and as a symbol of our commitment to each other. I call upon these persons here present to witness that I & . do take thee & & ... to be my lawful wedded wife. I promise to love and care for you, honour and respect you and share with you all that I have. May we look forward to our future together with hope and happiness and always remember the feelings we share for each other on this our wedding day.
And now the bride. (repeat above)
& . and & . you have both made the declarations prescribed by law and have made your promises to one another in the presence of your witnesses here today. Let us hope that this day will form a special day in your lives to look upon with much love and happiness.
& & . and & & & . It gives me great pleasure to declare that you are now husband and wife.
Alternative versions of the Declaratory & Contracting words
You may choose to include alternative versions of the traditional Declaratory & Contracting words, which are shown as option 1 below.
A Declaratory words
Option
1 "I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I & & may not be joined in matrimony to & & ."
2 "I declare that I know of no legal reason why I & & may not be joined in marriage to & & & .."
3 by replying "I am" to the question "Are you & & & free lawfully to marry & & ..?"
B Contracting words
Option
1 "I call upon these persons here present to witness that I & .. do take thee & & . To be my lawful wedded husband/wife"
2 "I & & & take you & & to be my wedded husband/wife"
3 "I & & . take thee & .. to be my wedded husband/wife".
You may choose any combination from list A and B. Please be sure to let the Superintendent Registrar know your choices before the day of your wedding.