The marriage schedule

When the Registrar is satisfied that there is no legal impediment to the marriage, a marriage schedule will be prepared from the information on the marriage notice form. No marriage can proceed without the marriage schedule.

Religious ceremony

The marriage schedule will be issued to either party by the Registrar.

The schedule cannot be issued more than fourteen days before the marriage and the Registrar will advise you when the marriage schedule can be collected.

The schedule cannot be collected on your behalf by a relative or friend, the Registrar will issue it only to the prospective bride or bridegroom who will have to sign for it.

The marriage schedule must be produced before the marriage ceremony to the person performing the marriage.

Immediately after the ceremony, the schedule must be signed by both parties, by the person performing the marriage and by the two witnesses. The bride should sign in her maiden name.

The marriage schedule should be returned to the Registrar within three days from the date of marriage. It may be returned in person or by post.

Civil ceremony

The Registrar will ensure that the marriage schedule is available at the marriage ceremony for signature. The Registrar will register the marriage after the ceremony.

A fee for the civil marriage and, if applicable, for the attendance of an authorised Registrar at an approved place, is payable to the Registrar at the time of notice.

The marriage ceremony may only be conducted by a Registrar or Deputy Registrar who has been authorised by the Registrar General for that purpose.

While nothing of a religious nature may be included in the ceremony, music, poetry, exchange of rings and flower arrangements may be included and should be discussed with the Registrar.

It is important that the marriage ceremony should commence on time as more than one marriage may be planned on that day.

The groom, best man (and ushers, if required) should arrive at the venue for the marriage no less than 20 minutes before the time of the ceremony. The bride and bridesmaids should arrive no less than ten minutes before the ceremony.

The Registrar will welcome everyone prior to the entrance of the bride and will give instructions regarding any video recording or photography during the ceremony. The marriage ceremony will last approximately 10 to 15 minutes.