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Dorset Registration Service

Your Ceremony, Your Story, Your Dorset Wedding

Your wedding ceremony is one of the biggest moments of your entire day. It is the moment you stand together, make your promises and officially begin the next chapter of your lives.

And that’s where Dorset Registration Service comes in.

Far more than simply taking care of the legal formalities, Dorset’s experienced registration team works with couples to create ceremonies that feel personal, meaningful and right for them.

Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony with just a handful of guests or saying “I do” at one of Dorset’s incredible castles, country houses, barns, hotels or outdoor ceremony spaces, the team will be there to guide you through the process and help bring your ceremony together.

Making Your Ceremony Personal

A civil ceremony certainly doesn’t have to feel generic.

Once your registrars are booked, Dorset Registration Service provides a ceremony planner to help you start putting together the ceremony you want.

You can choose your own readings and music, write personal promises, involve family members and even explore the possibility of a themed ceremony.

Every couple is different and that’s exactly how a wedding ceremony should feel.

The legal elements will of course be taken care of, but around them you have the opportunity to add the personal touches that make the ceremony yours.

couple signing marriage register with rings visible during legal wedding ceremony England

A Team Behind Your Ceremony

Something many couples don’t realise is that a Dorset civil marriage or civil partnership at an approved venue is supported by a two person registration team, a Celebrant and a Registrar.

Both are provided by Dorset Council Registration Service and each has an important role in making sure everything runs smoothly.

The team normally arrives around 30 minutes before the ceremony, working alongside your wedding venue and the people around you to make sure everything is ready for one of the most important parts of your day.

Incredible Dorset Wedding Venues

One of the best things about getting married in Dorset is the incredible choice of places in which to hold your ceremony.

Dorset Council currently lists more than 100 wedding venues and ceremony locations across its area, ranging from beautiful country houses and rustic barns to castles, gardens, hotels, historic buildings and unique outdoor ceremony spaces.

So whether your idea of the perfect ceremony is grand and traditional, relaxed and rustic, intimate and personal or somewhere completely different, there is an amazing variety of locations to explore.

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Dorset Wedding Registrars at Kingston Country Courtyard

More Than Just the Legal Bit

It is easy to think of registrars as simply the people who turn up and make your marriage legal.

But they’re actually one of the few wedding suppliers who are right there with you for the very moment you’re getting married.

They hear your promises.

They meet your families.

They calm the nerves.

They guide you through the ceremony.

And they help create the moment that the rest of your wedding day is built around.

That’s exactly why Dorset Registration Service has a place alongside the photographers, florists, musicians, venues and other wedding professionals you’ll discover through Bridesparks.

How to Book Your Dorset Wedding Registrars

If you’re getting married at a licensed wedding venue, booking your venue doesn’t automatically book your registrars.

The easiest way to approach it is to provisionally arrange your preferred date and ceremony time with your wedding venue and then contact Dorset Registration Service to make sure the registration team is available.

Once both are available, you can get everything confirmed and start looking forward to the exciting part, planning your ceremony.

If you’re marrying at the Dorset Register Office or one of Dorset Council’s own ceremony rooms, the registrars are arranged as part of that booking.

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couple signing marriage schedule with registrar during legal wedding ceremony England

Planning a Wedding in Dorset?

From choosing your ceremony location and booking your registrars to giving notice and planning the ceremony itself, Dorset Registration Service can guide you through everything you need to make your marriage or civil partnership official.

So once you’ve found that perfect Dorset wedding venue, don’t forget one of the most important bookings of them all.

Your registrars.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dorset Wedding Registrars

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

If you’re getting married at most licensed wedding venues in the Dorset Council area, yes. You should provisionally agree your date and ceremony time with your venue and then contact Dorset Registration Service to make sure their registration team is available. Once both are available, you can confirm your bookings.

How do I book a wedding registrar in Dorset?

Once you have provisionally chosen your licensed wedding venue, contact Dorset Registration Service to check availability and book the registration team for your chosen date and time. If you’re marrying at Dorset Register Office or one of Dorset Council’s ceremony rooms, the registrars are included as part of that ceremony booking.

Can we personalise our civil wedding ceremony?

Absolutely. Dorset Registration Service provides couples with a ceremony planner and offers options including choosing your own readings and music, writing personal promises, involving family members and even creating a themed ceremony.

Will there be one or two registrars at our wedding?

For civil marriages and civil partnerships at approved venues, the ceremony is conducted by a Celebrant and a Registrar, both provided by Dorset Council. The registration team will normally arrive around 30 minutes before your ceremony.

Can Dorset Registrars conduct an outdoor wedding ceremony?

Yes, provided your chosen venue has an appropriately approved outdoor ceremony area. Dorset has a fantastic selection of wedding venues offering beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces where civil ceremonies can take place.

Which wedding venues are covered by Dorset Registration Service?

Dorset Registration Service covers approved venues within the Dorset Council area. These include venues such as Kingston Country Courtyard, Deans Court, St Giles House, Durlston Castle, English Oak Vineyard and many more across Dorset.

Do Dorset Registrars cover Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?

No. Although Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are within the wider county of Dorset, they are not within the Dorset Council registration area. Weddings taking place within the BCP Council area are handled by the separate BCP Registration Service.

What is giving notice and when do we need to do it?

Giving notice is the legal declaration of your intention to marry or form a civil partnership. You must give notice in person at a register office, normally at least 29 days before your ceremony. Where you give notice will usually depend on where you live rather than where your wedding is taking place.

Can we have our own readings and music?

Yes. You can choose readings and music as part of personalising your civil ceremony. Your ceremony planner will help you prepare the details and make sure your choices are suitable for a civil ceremony.

Can our family and friends be involved in the ceremony?

Yes. There are opportunities to involve family members and friends, including through readings and other personal elements of your ceremony. Speak to the registration team about what you’d like to include.

How much does a Dorset wedding registrar cost?

The cost depends on where you’re getting married, the day and time of your wedding and the type of ceremony you choose. Dorset Registration Service publishes its current fees, so it’s worth checking the latest prices when you’re planning your wedding.

How far in advance should we book our Dorset wedding registrars?

It’s a good idea to check registrar availability as soon as you’ve provisionally agreed your wedding date and ceremony time with your venue. Popular dates can be particularly busy, so your registrars should be one of the important bookings you make early in your wedding planning.

Your Bridesparks Journey

When you book a participating supplier, you can be introduced into Bridesparks and begin building your wedding team within the collective. Each supplier offers their own added value, which becomes available once you have secured three or more Bridesparks suppliers.