Dorset Wedding Registrars

So, Why Have We Included Registrars as a Wedding Supplier?

Well, that’s because they are.

When most couples think about wedding suppliers, they probably think of their photographer, florist, DJ, cake maker or venue. But if you’re planning a civil wedding, your registrars are one of the most important suppliers you’ll book for your day.

Just like many of your other wedding suppliers, registrars need to be booked for your chosen date and time, they play an essential role on the day itself, and they’re an important part of your overall wedding planning.

But their role goes much further than simply taking care of the legal side of getting married.

Two Wedding Registration Services in Dorset

Something that can be a little confusing when planning a wedding in Dorset is that there are actually two separate council registration services covering the county.

Dorset Registration Service, operated by Dorset Council, covers the Dorset Council area, with registration offices including Dorchester, Blandford, Bridport, Gillingham, Wareham, Weymouth and Wimborne.

BCP Registration Service is separate and covers Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with its own registrars, ceremony booking service and register offices.

Which registration service you need for your wedding will therefore depend on where your ceremony is taking place. For example, a wedding at a licensed venue within Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole would normally require the BCP Registration Service, while a wedding at a licensed venue within the Dorset Council area would be handled by Dorset Registration Service. Both services work with licensed wedding venues and provide registrars for civil marriages and civil partnerships.

This is also why you’ll find both Dorset Registration Service and BCP Registration Service on Bridesparks. Together they help couples planning civil ceremonies across the wider Dorset area, and we want to make it as easy as possible to find the right registration team for your wedding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dorset Wedding Registrars

Do I need to book a registrar separately from my Dorset wedding venue?

For most licensed venues, yes. Dorset Council advises couples to provisionally book their venue and then arrange their registration team separately.

How far in advance should I book my Dorset wedding registrar?

It makes sense to check registrar availability as soon as you have provisionally agreed your wedding date and time with your venue. Your venue and registration team both need to be available for your chosen ceremony.

Can we write our own wedding vows?

There is required legal wording for a marriage, but Dorset Registration Service allows couples to include personal promises as part of their ceremony.

Can we have readings and music during our civil ceremony?

Yes. Readings and music can form part of a civil ceremony, although the ceremony itself must remain non religious. GOV.UK

Can family members be involved in our ceremony?

Yes. Dorset Registration Service specifically lists involving family members as one of the ways couples can personalise their ceremony. Dorset Council

Do I give notice to Dorset Council if I’m getting married in Dorset?

Not necessarily. Where you give notice generally depends upon where you live. Dorset Council specifically notes that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are outside the Dorset Council area. Dorset Council

What’s the difference between a registrar and a celebrant?

For Dorset Council civil marriages and civil partnerships, Dorset Registration Service says its ceremonies are conducted by a Celebrant and Registrar supplied by Dorset Council. Independent celebrants are a different service and generally cannot themselves complete the legal marriage registration requirements. Dorset Council

Start Planning Your Dorset Wedding Ceremony

Your ceremony is the moment your wedding becomes official, so your registrars deserve a place alongside all the other people helping to make your wedding day happen.

Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or saying “I do” at one of Dorset’s beautiful licensed wedding venues, Dorset Registration Service can guide you through the legal requirements while helping you create a ceremony that’s personal to you.