Marriages & Partnerships
Your guide to getting married or forming a civil partnership in Somerset & North Somerset.
Ceremony Forms & Guidance
We need your planning forms back around 1 month before the big day so we can start personalising your ceremony. We often refer to these forms as “pre ceremony check forms” or “PCCs” for short. You can find the answer to lots of general FAQs on the Ceremony Planning page, but the guidance pages cover everything you need to help you complete your form. They also include the vows you need to choose from – perfect if you want to have a practice in advance! We are introducing ceremony changes on 1st April 2024, so there are different forms depending on whether your booking is before or after that date. We are now using digital Microsoft Forms that should be compatible with most devices. If you experience any issues completing your form please email the team via our contact page. We can supply the form in an alternative format if necessary.
Important: you must already have booked your registrar and ceremony using the Ceremony Booking Request Form on our Contact page – these forms won’t do that.
BASIC 2+2 CEREMONIES
These are the simple ceremonies with no whistles and bells for you and your two witnesses only at one of our Registration offices, normally held on weekdays in a small office. There is separate guidance for 2+2 marriages or a 2+2 civil partnerships as there are different vow options. Read more about the differences on our Civil Marriage Or Civil Partnership page.
Classic Ceremonies
This guidance is for Classic ceremonies or for those who previously booked a Full ceremony and have opted not to upgrade to an Enhanced ceremony. It’s for ceremonies at Approved Venues, Taunton Register Office in the Vivary Room or Tudor Hall, Abbey Manor, Frome Town Hall or Weston-super-Mare Register Office in the Hutton Suite or Old Council Chamber. There is separate guidance for marriages and civil partnerships as there are different vow options. Read more about the differences on the Civil Marriage Or Civil Partnership page.
ENHANCED CEREMONIES
This guidance is for Enhanced ceremonies or for those who previously booked a Full ceremony and have opted to upgrade to an Enhanced ceremony. It’s for ceremonies at Approved Venues, Taunton Register Office in the Vivary Room or Tudor Hall, Abbey Manor, Frome Town Hall or Weston-super-Mare Register Office in the Hutton Suite or Old Council Chamber. There is separate guidance for marriages and partnerships as there are different vow options. Read more about the differences on the Civil Marriage Or Civil Partnership page.
Renewal of vows or celebration CEREMONIES
This guidance is for couples planning a renewal of vows or a celebration ceremony that has no legal element. It’s for ceremonies at Approved Venues, Taunton Register Office in the Vivary Room or Tudor Hall, Abbey Manor, Frome Town Hall or Weston-super-Mare Register Office in the Hutton Suite or Old Council Chamber.
Naming or Welcome Ceremonies
This guidance is for families planning a naming or welcome ceremony for that has no legal element. This includes naming an infant or older child as a christening alternative, or welcoming an adopted child or blended family. It’s for ceremonies at Approved Venues, Taunton Register Office in the Vivary Room or Tudor Hall, Abbey Manor, Frome Town Hall or Weston-super-Mare Register Office in the Hutton Suite or Old Council Chamber.
Ceremony Guide Magazine
You can view our Ceremony Guide online as an e-magazine. It works alongside our website to guide you through planning your big day, and is full of useful information and inspiration, featured venues and great local suppliers. Photographers, florists, makeup artists, bridal wear, event planners and much more – find a selection here and or the full list in our Venue Directory and Supplier Directory.
Look out for paper copies at wedding venues & businesses, wedding fairs and registration offices.
