Giving Notice
You’ll have received your Marriage Notice Application Forms (GRO446) in your welcome pack, one for each of you and already signed by me. These forms need to be completed and submitted to the Registration Office covering the district where your ceremony is taking place (usually the one closest to your venue).
The Registrar must receive your forms no later than 28 days before your wedding. However, I strongly recommend getting them in around 12 weeks beforehand. Leaving it until the deadline can sometimes create unnecessary stress, especially when it comes to collecting your paperwork before the ceremony day.
Every Registration Office has its own preferred way of handling notice applications. Some like you to book an appointment, while others are happy to accept forms by email or post. Don't worry about keeping track of the various rules, I'll keep you right. I'll let you know when it's time to submit everything and guide you through the process.
Your forms should be supported by:
A fee of £44 (£22 each for your notice to marry). If you're submitting by post or email, the Registration Office will usually contact you to take payment over the phone.
Both of your full (long) birth certificates.
Both of your passports.
Some Registration Offices may also take payment for your marriage certificate (£8) at this stage.
If either of you has been married before, you'll also need to provide either:
Your Decree Absolute (divorce papers), or
The death certificate of your previous spouse.
Creating Your Wee Ceremony, Your Way
Say hello to your first wee discovery questionnaire!
This questionnaire is the first step in creating a ceremony that feels truly yours. The questions will take you through the different parts of a wedding ceremony, giving you the chance to think about what matters most, what you’d like to include, and how your story can be brought to life.
What you'll need:
15–20 minutes together (phones down if you can!)
A cuppa, a glass of wine, or whatever helps you relax
A wee bit of curiosity... and maybe a biscuit if you're feeling fancy
A Wee Reminder About Timing
You can send your answers back whenever you're ready, there's no rush! I simply ask that everything is completed at least two weeks before your Big Planning Meeting so I have plenty of time to gather my thoughts and start weaving everything together.
If you're getting married during the busy wedding season (June to August), please aim to have everything with me at least one month before we meet, as things get a wee bit busier at this end!
A Wee Treasure Trove
Stuck for ideas? Have a wee rummage through my favourite words, symbolic elements and ceremony gems.
Feel free to borrow, adapt or use them as the starting point for something completely your own