Ceremonies
We are delighted that you are planning to hold your ceremony in Northamptonshire.
Everyone’s ceremony is special and we will help to make your day a very happy occasion for you, your family and friends.
In Northamptonshire we have over 80
approved venues providing charming and memorable settings for all our ceremonies. Many approved venues will also arrange your reception. This website also contains details of the facilities at our
registration offices for your special day.
All non-religious marriage ceremonies in the county are conducted by either West Northamptonshire or North Northamptonshire Registration Service ceremony teams. Our staff are dedicated to making your day in Northamptonshire memorable.
What is the difference between a marriage and a civil partnership?
Marriage
Marriage, according to the law of this country, is the union of two people of the same or opposite sex voluntarily entered into for life to the exclusion of all others.
This is made by a verbal contract between two people and is currently recorded in a marriage register. The contract is made by the couple saying declaratory and contracting words.
A ceremony is required. You cannot currently convert a marriage to a civil partnership.
Civil partnership
A civil partnership is a written contract formed by declaration between two people giving the partners similar legal rights as married couples. The declaration can be said out loud or read by the partners before signing. No ceremony is required although one can be held after the declaration has been made.
From 31 December 2019 same and opposite sex partners can form a civil partnership. Same sex partners can currently convert a civil partnership to a marriage.
We recommend you seek independent advice if you are not sure whether a marriage or a civil partnership best suits your wishes. There is a more information on the GOV.UK website describing the difference between a marriage and a civil partnership.
You can choose to have a Civil partnership Registration that takes place in the registrar’s office with two adult witnesses or choose to have a ceremony in one of our venues.