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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 will take place separately in a private space at your ceremony venue, at the following times: 

Register office ceremonies

  • The first person will be interviewed 20 minutes before the ceremony starts 
  • The second person will be interviewed 10 minutes before 

Licensed venue ceremonies

  • The first person will be interviewed 30 minutes before the ceremony starts 
  • The second person will be interviewed 15 minutes before

Ceremony start time

It is important that your ceremony begins on time, the time booked is the time the ceremony must begin. 

If the ceremony should be late starting, East Sussex Registration reserves the right to amend the content in order to reduce its duration.

Should your the ceremony not be ready to begin by 20 minutes after the scheduled start time, and the delay is not the fault of East Sussex Registration, your ceremony may be shortened, postponed or cancelled. Additional fees may be payable if your ceremony begins more than 20 minutes after the scheduled start time.

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. 

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