​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 Northamptonshire County Council’s Registration Service ceremony team. Our staff are dedicated to making your day in Northamptonshire memorable.

Civil partnerships

Changes to legislation come into force on 2 December 2019 allowing civil partnerships for opposite sex couples.  This means that a notice of civil partnership can be taken on or after 2 December 2019 allowing the first civil partnership to be formed from 31 December 2019.

In reality there is currently minimal difference, including the legal consequences that result from either a marriage or civil partnership

  • A marriage is formed when specific words are spoken, refers to the parties as husband / wife (and any combination thereof) and is recorded in a marriage register. You cannot convert a marriage to a civil partnership. A marriage entry / certificate does not include mother's details in the record (law change is planned to facilitate this).
  • A civil partnership (only available to same sex couples) is formed when the schedule is signed, and refers to the parties as civil partners. You can convert a civil partnership to a marriage. A civil partnership record / certificate does include mother's details in the record.

In 2016 lawyers (Slater Gordon) put it clearly by explaining that "Fundamentally there are no major differences between civil partnerships and marriage but there are some differences including:

  • Civil partners cannot call themselves 'married' for legal purposes.
  • Civil partnership certificates include the names of both parents of the parties. Marriage certificates include the names of only the fathers of the parties.
  • Adultery cannot be used as a reason to dissolve the Civil Partnership. In a marriage, if one party is unfaithful this is grounds for divorce. This isn't the case in civil partnership dissolution. Adultery isn't recognised in same-sex partners."

There is more information about marriages and civil partnerships on the Citizens Advice website.

​We offer two different options to suit your requirements and budget:

  • A marriage registration A marriage registration

    ​A registration is a basic legal marriage. This is suitable for you where budget could be a major consideration or if you would like a more intimate ceremony just for yourselves and two adult witnesses but no additional guests.

    The registration is delivered with the same high degree of solemnity and dignity as with all of our services and is focused on the legal requirements of a marriage.

    The marriage registration takes place in a small registration room, where computers and files are in situ. Guests will be limited to two witnesses only.

    Registrations are only available on weekdays and last up to 30 minutes.

    Make a wedding enquiry
  • A marriage ceremony A marriage ceremony

    ​A ceremony is designed for you when the celebratory requirements outweigh all other considerations. A ceremony is ideal if you want a more bespoke and glamorous celebration for yourselves, family members and your guests.

    The ceremony includes:

    • An extensive choice of registration office ceremony rooms or any of the approved venues across the county
    • Personalised ceremony content
    • Ceremony planning facility
    • Choices of readings and additional promises
    • Music, either from our standard collection or from your own playlist of meaningful and memorable music
    • Rings handed to the registrar during the ceremony by the ring bearer
    • Your event will last up to 60 minutes

    There is a wide choice of ceremony availability for marriages covering weekdays, weekends, locations and times.

    Make a wedding enquiry

​Following the introduction of the Marriages (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, we have summarised reference to marriage and/or civil partnerships to marriages alone. There are significant differences between marriage and civil partnership in law.