Marriages

Your Wedding Day

Image of Married CoupleOur Staff will endeavour to ensure that your marriage ceremony is the occasion that you wish it to be in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Music is available at all of our marriage venues. It is also possible to have your own choice of music played. However, please note that religious music is not permitted at a civil ceremony. Should you wish to discuss your choice of music, the registrar will be happy to assist.

Fresh flowers are provided in each of our Marriage Rooms with additional flowers available to order for a small fee.

Any additional arrangements paid for, may be taken with you after the ceremony.

The Ceremony

The ceremony usually lasts 15-20 minutes with the exchanging of vows and you may also wish to exchange rings. The Registrar will be happy to discuss the possibility of introducing other aspects to personalise your ceremony, such as altering wording or including special music, poetry or readings. Please see Sample Ceremony (64KB - pdf)

A booklet with music, readings and poetry suitable for your civil marriage is available for purchase at all our registration offices.

Photographs

Photography is not permitted during the actual Ceremony; however, there will be plenty of opportunity following the Marriage to take photographs.

Video Recording

The Marriage ceremony creates a solemn and binding contract between two parties, and it is therefore essential that attention should not be detracted in any way from the meaning and dignity of the ceremony.

  1. Video recording will only be allowed at the discretion of the Registrar.
  2. One video camera may be used during the marriage ceremony.
  3. The provision of all equipment is the responsibility of the operator.
  4. Power for the equipment must be self-contained, and the Registrar will not provide any power source for the operation of any video equipment and the camera must have no trailing wires.
  5. The normal lighting in the Registration Office may be used and no additional lighting can be introduced.
  6. The operator will not leave the camera unattended and must undertake to remain stationary throughout the marriage ceremony. The instructions of the Registrar must be complied with at all times.
  7. South Ayrshire Council will not accept responsibility for any damage or loss to any equipment or accessories or any damage caused to the video recording.