On the Day

Pre-ceremony interviews 

Both you and your partner must meet with the registrar for a pre-ceremony interview directly before your ceremony. The purpose of this interview is to check the details on your schedule are correct and to confirm your ceremony options. These interviews are brief and will take place in a private space at your ceremony venue.

We understand that you and your partner may not want to see each other before the ceremony, in which case the registrar will see you separately.

Ceremony start time

It is really important that your ceremony begins on time. Please see arrival times below.

Register office ceremonies

If you and your partner are being interviewed separately, the first person will need to arrive 20 minutes before the ceremony start time and the second person 10 minutes before. 

If you are being interviewed together, please arrive 20 minutes before the ceremony. 

Licensed venue ceremonies

If you and your partner are being interviewed separately, the first person will need to arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony start time and the second person 15 minutes before. 

If you are being interviewed together, please arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony. 

Your guests should arrive no later than 15 minutes before your ceremony. 

If the ceremony is late starting (due to no fault of Ceremonies in East Sussex), your registrar reserves the right to amend the ceremony to reduce its duration, defer the ceremony to later that day, or cancel the ceremony, to ensure delays do not have an effect on any other ceremonies later that day.

Witnesses 

It is a legal requirement that you must have two witnesses present at your ceremony. They are there to witnesses you make a legal commitment to one another and will be required to sign the schedule.

Witnesses should be over the age of 16, speak English and understand what they are witnessing. Ceremonies in East Sussex is unable to provide witnesses. 

Photos and videos

We are happy for photos and videos to be taken throughout your ceremony. If you'd rather the photo/video taking was left to the professionals tell your registrar and they'll let your guests know at the start of your ceremony. 

Certificates

Your legal certificates cannot be issued on the day of your ceremony (they need inputting onto the computer). Any certificates purchased will be posted to you within two weeks following your ceremony. 

Commemorative certificates can be taken on the day, or you can have these posted with your legal certificates. 

If you require additional certificates and your ceremony has not yet taken place, please call the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198. If your ceremony has already happened, you can order certificates online here https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/registration/copies 

Insurance

We recommend that you take out insurance to provide cover in circumstances that may result in your ceremony not taking place. 

Confetti

The throwing of confetti is not permitted at any of our register offices. 

If your ceremony is taking place elsewhere, please discuss the use of confetti with your venue. 

Where confetti is permitted, we would encourage the use of biodegradable confetti only.