Congratulations! You’re engaged.
When it comes to planning your big day, it can all seem quite overwhelming.
Don’t panic! We are here to help make sure it is as straightforward, and as stress free as possible.
Whether you're planning a small intimate affair or a grand event, the information below will help make sure you’ve got everything covered.
If you have any questions head to our FAQs page, complete an enquiry form or call the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198.
Where and When?
The first thing you need to decide is where and when you would like your ceremony to take place.
East Sussex offers you the choice of over 90 licensed venues, including our four Register Offices located in Crowborough, Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes. Castles, hotels, country estates, seaside retreats and more, you'll be sure to find your perfect venue here in East Sussex.
We offer ceremonies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (subject to availability) and take bookings up to 3 years in advance.
If your perfect venue or location isn't licensed for marriages and civil partnerships, take a look at Ceremonies with a Difference and find out how we can help create your perfect day, at your perfect location.
Booking your Registrars
Once you've decided where and when your ceremony will take place, contact the Ceremonies Hub to book your Registrars.
For a civil marriage or civil partnership to be legal, authorised registrars (employed by the local authority)must be in attendance to conduct and register the ceremony.
If your ceremony is taking place at one of our Register Offices, the booking of the Register Office and your Registrars will be done at the same time.
If your ceremony is taking place elsewhere you will need to contact the venue directly to confirm availability, and then contact us to book your Registrars. Fees for the use of a venue are set by them and must be paid directly to them. These are separate to the fees payable for the attendance of Registrars.
We take bookings up to 3 years in advance. Fees are charged at the current year’s price regardless of the date of your ceremony. Fees are payable in full at the time of booking.
All bookings and payments must be made over the phone by debit or credit card (excluding Amex). The card holder must be the person who provides the payment details, these cannot be taken via a third party. Our fees can be found on the Fee Pages of this website.
To check availability and make a booking contact the Ceremonies Hub.
Phone: 0345 60 80 198
Web: Online Contact Form
Email: ceremonieshub@eastsussex.gov.uk
Giving Notice
Giving Notice is a legal requirement that must be completed at least 28* days before your marriage or civil partnership can take place. Notices cannot be given more than 12 months before your ceremony.
*This waiting period may be extended to 70 days if you and/or your partner is a foreign national subject to immigration controls.
Notice is given by appointment at your local Register Office, and will require you to provide certain identification documents to the Registrar.
You must decide where your civil marriage/civil partnership will take place before giving notice. Notices are venue specific and cannot be changed once given. A notice fee is payable when booking these appointments.
If you live in East Sussex (excluding Brighton) notice appointments will be arranged for a suitable date, and booked at the same time as taking your ceremony booking. If you live outside East Sussex you will need to contact your local registration service to arrange these appointments.
For further information see our Giving Notice page.
Let’s get Personal
You've chosen your venue; your Registrars are booked and your notice appointments are arranged.
Now's the time to get personal. We want your day to be as special and memorable as possible and encourage you to personalise your ceremony to include those all-important additions.
Once you've given notice we will send you an email containing a link to the online ceremony pack and options form. Ceremony packs contain all the information you will need to know, including, what happens on the day, times of arrival, ways you can personalise your ceremony plus much more.
Personal additions must be approved by the Ceremonies Hub prior to your ceremony. We ask you to include these details when you complete your ceremony options form (included in the ceremony pack). Options forms should be submitted for approval around one month before your ceremony. Take a look at the ways you can personalise your ceremony.
Ceremony Extras
Don't forget your extras! A variety of keepsake products are available for you to purchase. Order yours now.
| Arranging a ceremony will require you to share some personal information with us. Refer to our Privacy Notice for details about how and why we use your data. |