In North Yorkshire, we have many and varied venues available. We recognise that there is far more than just one marriage ceremony; each is individual and special in its own way.

We offer two kinds of ceremonies for marriage; a simple ceremony (for a statutory fee) and an enhanced ceremony.

Simple ceremony

The simple marriage ceremony meets all the necessary legal requirements. This type of ceremony has no enhancements such as music or readings and is for a limited number of six guests (including your two witnesses). We offer this ceremony in all our registration offices during opening hours, Monday to Friday up to 11.30am. Please see the registration service fees page for the fee for a simple ceremony, which includes one certificate.

Enhanced ceremony

Alternatively, for such an important event, you might prefer to have a more personalised ceremony. You may enhance your ceremony with readings and music, to make the service a unique and special occasion. This enhanced ceremony is available at any time in our offices, though charges vary according to the day of the week and the size of the room used. Please see the registration service fees page for the fees for an enhanced ceremony.

Please note that the enhanced ceremony is always offered for ceremonies at approved venues.

The marriage ceremony

Please note that a civil marriage ceremony must be entirely non-religious in character and therefore may not, by law, contain any religious readings or music.

Two witnesses to the marriage will be required to sign the marriage register. They can be friends or relatives of either sex, aged 16 years or older, who must be able to understand the ceremony.

For more information please view our  Ceremony bookings terms and conditions [48kb] [pdf]

Urgent circumstances

The registration service is able to make special arrangements at very short notice for a marriage ceremony under special licence, where one person in the relationship is very seriously ill and not expected to recover.

There is a legal process to be followed in such cases, so please contact your local registration office for further advice and information.

Online mapping

You can find a range of information about the services we provide by using our online mapping.