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Ceremony planning checklist

You can use this checklist to help you plan your ceremony.

Book your venue

Sutton Register Office

Sutton Register Office located along the West Walk of Sutton Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA.

You can book your ceremony in one of our designated rooms.

Maximum capacity is:

  • The Oaks at Sutton Register Office, which can accommodate up to 50 guests

  • The Lavender Room at Sutton Register Office, which can hold up to 10 guests

  • The Drawing Room at the Honeywood Museum

Please don’t invite more guests than the capacity of the room you book.

Other venues in Sutton

Other licensed venues are available in Sutton. You’ll need to book the venue and registrars separately. Contact us on 020 8770 6790 for more information or read about registrar fees for attending a licensed venue.

Give notice

Once you’ve provisionally booked your venue, you will need to give notice. It is a legal requirement that you must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony, in person.

Marriage packs

Your marriage pack will be sent to you after you have given notice. It will include:

  • information about the framework
  • formal procedures
  • declaratory words
  • contractual words

You will also receive a Customising Your Ceremony form. You will need to fill this in with details of any enhancements and send it back to us.

On the day

Time

You must arrive at least 15 minutes before your ceremony. It is a legal requirement that you are both interviewed to confirm your details for the marriage register.

Your guests also need to arrive in plenty of time.

If you are delayed for any reason we may not have time for your chosen enhancements or may even need to postpone your ceremony to another day.

Interpreter

You must provide an interpreter for your ceremony if you needed one to complete your notice. The interpreter will be required to act as a witness.

Special requirements

If you or your witnesses have any special requirements, you must inform the office before your ceremony.

Music

We will play light classical music whilst your guests are seated. You can provide your own music for:

  • the entrance of the Bride
  • the signing of the Register
  • when the Bride and Groom are leaving