The formalities, both before and during the marriage ceremony are straightforward. There are a number of points that you will need to know, especially those relating to legal requirements.
Marriage schedule
When the 28-day waiting period following your notice has expired we will print and issue your Marriage Schedule at Torbay Register Office. This is the legal document needed in order for you to marry which you will sign after the ceremony.
Witnesses
You will need to ask two people who may be friends or relatives if they will witness your marriage. They should be over the age of sixteen and be able to understand the Ceremony. There is no need for them to be worried about this. All they must do is sign the Marriage Schedule. Please ensure that you have booked and paid for the correct number of guests prior to the day.
Arrival Guidance for Ceremonies at Cockington Court
Please arrive in good time for your appointment.
- If you are arriving together, please aim to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled time.
- If you are arriving separately and do not wish to see each other before the ceremony, the first person should arrive 20 minutes before, and the second person 10 minutes before.
Punctuality is essential. If you arrive late:
- Your ceremony will be delayed, and
- The Superintendent Registrar may need to reschedule your ceremony to a later time or date.
This could inconvenience you and your guests and may affect other arrangements you’ve made for the day.
Accessing the Ceremony Room
All guests must enter Cockington Court via the Rose Garden at the rear of the building. The ceremony room is accessed by crossing the wooden bridge, where you’ll find a bell on the wall — please ring this to alert the Registrar.
Please note: the lanes approaching Cockington Court are very narrow and unsuitable for stretch limousines or similar vehicles.
Before the Ceremony
Once your party has arrived:
- The Registrar will meet with you in private to check the details on the Schedule.
- Your guests will be shown through to the ceremony room to await your arrival.
- You will be asked to provide the full names and occupations of your natural, adopted, or step-parents, if they have at any time been married to your parent. This information is recorded in the Schedule and on your Certificate.
Photographs and videos
Your guests are very welcome to bring cameras to record the occasion.
If you wish to video your ceremony, please let the Superintendent Registrar know before we start. We can then direct the person filming to the most suitable position.
Music
There is a Bluetooth speaker which can be used with a smart device if you wish. We recommend downloading rather than streaming. You will need to ask one of your guests to press play and stop at the appropriate time. Please note no music with religious content may be played.
The Ceremony
There is no need to be nervous or worried about the Ceremony. It is quite simple. Don't forget, the Superintendent Registrar is there to help and guide you through all you say and do.
Once your guests are seated the Superintendent Registrar will say a few words of welcome. We will then ask you, as part of the Ceremony, to repeat the legal vows. This is done a few words at a time after the Superintendent Registrar.
If you would like to include any personalised vows or readings, please email us your request.
Groom/Partner 1 first
You will then be asked in turn to repeat the following.
"I do solemnly declare that I know not
of any lawful impediment why I
(say your full name)
may not be joined in matrimony to
(say your partner's full name)
Then the Bride/Partner 2 will do the same
Then you both repeat the contracting words :
"I call upon these persons here present
to witness that I (say full name)
do take thee
(repeat your partners full name)
to be my lawful wedded wife/husband/partner."
Rings may be exchanged.
Registering your marriage
After you have made your Marriage Contract, the Registrar will ask you to sign the Schedule. You sign in the name by which you were known before the Ceremony.
It is very important that you check the content and spelling on the Schedule. By signing the Schedule, you are confirming that all the information is correct. If you later notice an error that requires correcting, you will have to pay a fee of £90.
We will add the details on the schedule to the electronic register. Your certificate can then be issued. We may ask you to wait for the registration to be completed and the certificate issued. If this is not possible, we will post your certificate to you as soon as possible.
Flowers
The room is always decorated with silk flowers so you don’t have to supply your own.
Confetti
Please no confetti in the Rose Garden under any circumstances.
The Gardens
The office has attractive gardens which make an ideal backdrop for your wedding photographs. Please show consideration for other visitors by not blocking access to paths, gates or doors.
Car parks
Cockington Court has a pay-and-display car park at the rear of the building for you and your guests to use. You can access this via a driveway behind The Drum Inn. If you drive as though you are coming into the pub you will see the drive to the right of the building. Please follow the brown signs for Cockington Court Craft Centre. Please note the car park is cash only.
