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How to Book a Registrar for Your Wedding Explained

Booking a registrar is an essential step in planning your UK wedding, ensuring your ceremony is legally binding. Here's a simple guide to help you book a registrar

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A couple and their wedding registrar during an outdoor wedding ceremony in a woodland

When planning your wedding, one of the most important tasks is booking a registrar. A registrar will officiate at your civil wedding ceremony, and is the key (in England and Wales) to ensuring everything is legally binding. 

Whether you’re planning a wedding at a register office or in a licensed wedding venue, we’ll explain everything you need to know about booking a registrar.

Remember: if you’re having a religious wedding, such as a Catholic or Church of England ceremony, your wedding will be legally binding but you don’t need a registrar. 

In Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, celebrant-led weddings are legally binding, but if you’re marrying in the UK you will need a registrar, a priest, vicar or other similar religious figure at your legally binding wedding ceremony.

What Does a Registrar Do?

A wedding registrar’s role is to conduct your wedding ceremony. They will need to ensure your ceremony meets the requirements to be legally recognised. They will also officially register your marriage with the local council.

If you’re getting married at a registry office, you will meet them there and do all the necessary paperwork, but if you’re having a civil wedding at a wedding venue, the registrar will travel there and conduct a pre-wedding interview with you at your venue.

How to Book a Registrar for Your Wedding

A registrar walking to a wedding venue alongside a wedding planner

It’s pretty straightforward to book a registrar for your wedding. You should book a registrar that is local to your venue - not necessarily where you live.

Remember: you must give notice at the register office where you live, but book a registrar in the area that you’re getting married, if they’re different.

Step One: Contact the Register Office

Get in touch with the registry office that is local to your venue. Either send an enquiry online, or give them a call. 

It’s important to do this as soon as you know your wedding date, to ensure a registrar is available for your wedding day.

Step Two: Check Times

It’s great news if a registrar is available on your wedding day, but make sure you determine the time too. You don’t want to be tied to an 11am wedding if you only have access to your venue from 10am!

Step Three: Give Notice of Marriage

You’ll need to give notice of marriage before you get married - often called ‘giving notice’, this should be done at the registry office where you live.

If you live separately, you should each give notice in your respective areas. 

This must be done at least 29 days before your ceremony, but you can have up to a year to do it in. Your register office will advise you on the best time to come in and give notice. 

You must get married within 12 months of giving notice, or it will expire!

Remember: if you’re having a religious wedding ceremony, you have your banns read at your chosen church instead.

Step Four: Pay Any Fees

It’s not free to book a registrar! Make sure you settle any outstanding fees to ensure there are no hitches on your wedding day.

Step Five: Confirm Your Wedding Details

It’s always worth checking in ahead of your wedding to make sure all your details are confirmed. The registrar you meet when you give notice may not be the one who conducts your ceremony, so have your ceremony wishes (such as personalised vows etc.) in writing!

How Much Does it Cost to Book a Registrar?

Couple signing the wedding register together

The cost of booking a wedding registrar can vary, depending on whether the registrar is travelling to your wedding venue, or if you’re getting married at the register office. 

If you’re marrying at a religious building and there won’t be an authorised person present to conduct the ceremony, you’ll need to book a registrar and according to Gov.UK, this will cost £104. 

For a civil ceremony, Gov.UK says it’s £56 for a register office. 

If your registrar needs to travel to a licensed venue, this may cost more as travel costs might be factored in. It’s best to discuss this cost directly with your register office.  

How Much is a Marriage Licence in the UK?

The cost of a marriage licence really varies across the UK - factors such as your circumstances and your location can influence the cost. 

Marriage certificates are £12.50 each, and marriage licences tend to be £42 per person.

Costs can vary if you’re not a UK national, you’ve already been married outside of the UK, or if you’re late or have to make changes to your appointment with the registry office. 

Getting Married in a Registry Office

Getting married in a registry office is a popular choice - more than 1 in 10 UK weddings took place at a register office according to our 2025 National Wedding Survey.

It’s an affordable option, and is a simple and straightforward way to get married. Most registry offices allow you to bring guests, but check at your venue of choice in case there’s a limit or a charge per guest. 

Top Tips for Booking Your Registrar

  • Book early: Registrars can get booked up quickly, especially during peak wedding season.
  • Consider travel costs: If you’re having your ceremony at a venue that isn’t local, make sure to ask about any travel fees.
  • Confirm details: Always double-check the date, time, and location of your ceremony before your wedding day to avoid any last-minute issues.

It can feel confusing when it comes to booking a registrar, as it’s usually a new experience for most couples! However, by following these simple steps it should be much more straightforward.

Once you’ve booked your registrar, start thinking about your wedding readings!

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