Rutland Ceremony Guide

Rutland Ceremonyguide

A Rutland Wedding or Partnership

Welcome to Rutland Registration Service; may we congratulate you on your forthcoming ceremony!

Rutland is the smallest county in England, much loved by residents and enjoyed by discerning tourists for its charming historic towns, beautiful countryside and wide range of sporting facilities. Rutland’s motto is “Multum in parvo” - much in little - and we certainly offer much in the way of ceremony facilities.

The Registration Service at Catmose Cottage comprises the entire ground floor of an 18th century townhouse and offers a traditional and tastefully appointed drawing room for ceremonies, seating up to 55 guests. Our walled garden provides a private space for photographs and its summerhouse is also licensed for ceremonies.

Add to this the personal service afforded by the fact that we are such a small Registration Service and the combination offers the perfect ambience to make every single ceremony special.

A simple, welcoming room, seating up to 8 guests, is available as the “Register Office” for weddings and civil partnerships at the nationally prescribed statutory fee.

Other Ceremonies

Rutland Registration Service also offers Naming Ceremonies and Re-affirmation of Vows, and we would be delighted to discuss your requirements either in person or by telephone.

About Civil Ceremonies in Approved Premises

Since April 1995 local councils have been able to approve other buildings for civil ceremonies. These buildings are called “Approved Premises”, and are primarily hotels, historic buildings or other establishments often where the reception can also take place.

You can choose to have your civil ceremony in any Approved Premises in any district in England or Wales. You are not limited to the district (or districts) in which you live.

There are separate fees for the hire of the Approved Premises (set by the venue) and the attendance of the Registrars (set by the council).

A list of the venues approved in Rutland is enclosed, and it is staff from Rutland Registration Service who will conduct, register and advise on procedures within the county.

Whether you wish to have a small discreet ceremony or a more elaborate affair, we will endeavour to accommodate your individual wishes.

Arranging your Approved Premises Ceremony

Step 1 – Decide which Approved Premises you wish your ceremony to take place in and outline the provisional date/s & time/s you would like your wedding.

Step 2 – Contact Approved Premises to check their availability on that date and time.

Step 3 – Contact the Superintendent Registrar on 01572 758370 to check their availability on that date & time.

Step 4 – Confirm preferred date & time with Rutland Registration Services & Ceremony Venue.

Rutland Registration Service is happy to conduct ceremonies on any day of the week, including Sundays and Bank Holidays, and we will take bookings as far in advance as you wish.

Once the date and time has been agreed with us, we will invite you to complete our booking form at which point we require a non-refundable booking fee (deducted from the final balance). On receipt of these we will then send you an initial outline of the ceremony and some information about the legal preliminaries – the “notice of marriage” or “notice of partnership”.

From this point, or at any time prior to your ceremony, we are delighted to discuss the form and content either by telephone or at the office. This could include making suitable additions of your choice, perhaps poetry, prose or your own vows, to enhance and personalise the ceremony. Please note that any chosen readings or music must be non-religious.

The Legal Preliminaries to Marriage and Partnership

The following procedure applies to civil marriages and civil partnerships in Approved Premises or in any registered religious buildings other than the Church of England.

Having chosen where you wish to be married and arranged the venue and attendance of the registration staff there is a legal procedure which must be followed. This procedure is called “Giving Notice” of your intention to marry/form a civil partnership and is subject to a statutory fee. Notice can be given once you are within a year of the marriage/partnership but must be given at least 28 clear days prior to the ceremony.

Both of you must “Give Notice” in person, to the Superintendent Registrar of the district (or districts) in which you live. The minimum period of residence prior to giving notice is seven clear days.

After 28 clear days following Notice, the Superintendent Registrar’s Certificate of Authority for Marriage can be issued for each of the parties and the ceremony can take place.

Please note: If one or both parties to the marriage or partnership is subject to immigration control, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can explain the procedures relating to these circumstances.

Documents you may need to produce

When giving notice you will need to produce proof of your identity, age and nationality. Passports are ideal but if you do not have a current valid passport the Superintendent Registrar at the office where you are giving notice will advise you.

You will also need to provide proof of residency.

If you have been married or civilly partnered before, you will need to show a decree absolute of divorce/ dissolution showing the court’s original stamp.

If your husband, wife or civil partner died, the Superintendent Registrar at your office will need to see a certified copy of their death certificate.

If you have changed your name by Deed Poll, the appropriate document will need to be seen.

If either of you is under 18, we will need proof that your parent(s) or guardians consent to the marriage.

On the day of your ceremony

Two registration staff are present at your ceremony. The Superintendent Registrar (or deputy) conducts the ceremony. The Registrar of Births and Deaths (or deputy) registers the event in the marriage or civil partnership register.

Immediately before the appointed time of the ceremony, the Registrar has a legal requirement to see you both, privately and separately, to check the particulars which are to be entered into the register.

The ceremony proceeds as discussed and planned with you beforehand, incorporating the legal declarations & vows, repeated a few words at a time after the Superintendent Registrar.

After the ceremony is complete, you check and sign the register/schedule. Then your two witnesses and the registration staff sign and you are handed the certificate (a partnership certificate is sent on later in the post).

Both photography and the use of video equipment are permitted during the ceremony providing they are not obtrusive, except during the signing of the Marriage Register. We are happy to discuss beforehand any special arrangements you may have regarding photography/film.

We look forward to being part of your special day, and whilst respecting the solemnity and legal significance of the occasion, achieving an atmosphere of celebration.

Church Weddings

If you wish to be married in the Church of England you should speak to the vicar who will explain the residential requirements. If he, or she, is able to marry you, they will arrange for Banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your ceremony or for a common licence to be issued. There is generally no need to involve the Superintendent Registrar.

If you are getting married in any other church or religious building you will both need to give a notice of marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of the district where you reside. Some churches require the attendance of a Registrar at the wedding whereas others have their own Registrar (an authorised person). If you need a Registrar from this office to attend your wedding you should book this with us as far in advance as possible.

Contact details

For all marriage and partnership arrangements telephone:

Superintendent Registrar 01572 758370

registrars@rutland.gov.uk

Opening hours

Monday 9.00 – 12.00

Tuesday 1.30 – 4.30

Wednesday 9.00 – 12.00 and 1.00 – 4.00

Friday 1.30 – 4.30

Saturday by appointment

The Register Office

Rutland County Council, Catmose Cottage

Oakham, Rutland LE15 6HP

Beautiful Ceremony Music

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KITCHEN | DELI | COFFEE

Lambert’s opened at the beginning of March 2016 in the former premises of the “Hole in the Wall” Pub. Since 2016 Lambert’s has gone from strength to strength and is now a food destination for locals and Tourist alike. As Lambert’s is positioned down one of the many historical quirky lanes which makes Stamford unique, Lambert’s is a Hidden Gem. Lambert’s is available for private hire in the evenings. We cater for any event, from small dinner parties for 12 people, to parties for up to 60 Guest’s.

Photo credit: Mark Tattersall