A civil marriage could range in size from the bride and groom and 2 witnesses in a Register Office to a themed wedding in an Approved Premise with 750 guests!
If you're marriage will be conducted by Registration Staff from the Cambridge Office then you might like to print off and complete one of these checklists for Approved Premise Ceremonies (PDF, 34Kb) or Register Office Ceremonies (PDF, 34Kb). These can then be taken / posted when discussing your ceremony.
Before the ceremony begins you will have to provide information to the Registrar regarding yourselves. You will also both be asked to state the full name and surname of your natural or legally adoptive father, his occupation and whether he is retired or deceased.
You do not have to exchange ring(s) as part of the ceremony if you prefer not to.
In terms of personalising the ceremony you will have an appointment at some stage where you can discuss with the Superintendent Registrar items such as music, vows and readings.
Once you have been married you will both be asked to check the Marriage Register entry is correct. Please check very carefully as you will be put to some trouble to correct an error found later. You will both then be asked to sign, in your usual signature, the Register.
The bride should sign in the name in which she entered the room! Your two witnesses will then be asked to sign the Register, followed by the two Registration Officers. You will then be presented with your marriage certificate before being invited to lead your guests out of the ceremony room.
For marriages at Venues in particular we are often asked for guidance on an order of ceremony. Here is just one basic example of the format that could take, although details should always be discussed with the Registration Officers in the District where your marriage is taking place. It is difficult to be 100% certain which Registration Officers will be attending any one particular marriage as, due to staff changes through holidays and sickness, this may even alter on the morning of the marriage itself!