Marriages and Civil Partnerships
Ceremony options
Welcome to Pembrokeshire Ceremonies where you can find all the information you need to book and plan your day.
Whether you are getting married, forming a civil partnership or celebrating a previously held event, we will help you make your ceremony a day to remember. We have a range of options for you to choose from and our dedicated ceremony team will be on hand to help you realise your dream, whether it is a small intimate affair or a grand celebration.
We want to dispel the myth that ceremonies delivered by registrars are impersonal and formal. We are fortunate to have a wonderful team of ceremony registrars who are passionate about delivering a personalised ceremony for each and every couple, demonstrated by the amazing feedback from our many happy couples – check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for some of the wonderful comments we’ve received.
If you are looking for a ceremony which is personal, flexible and designed just for you, and also makes sure all the legal requirements are met, we are the only team in Pembrokeshire who can provide you with this full service.
On this page:
Do I need an independent celebrant?
What type of ceremony can I have?
What ceremony packages do you offer?
How will I plan and personalise my ceremony?
Do I need an independent celebrant?
No. Couples often choose celebrants because they believe they can provide a more flexible, personalised ceremony. Our team can provide personalised and bespoke legal marriages and civil partnerships and offer celebrant led ceremonies identical to those provided by independent celebrants. One of the advantages of booking with us is your celebrant can also conduct your legal ceremony. You will also have the full support of our team throughout. If you would like to speak to one of our team to discuss your requirements, please get in touch on 01437 775826.
Where can I hold my ceremony?
Legal marriages and civil partnership ceremonies can only take place in our office in Pembrokeshire Archives, Haverfordwest or at one of our approved premises in Pembrokeshire but our celebrant ceremonies can take place at any venue or location you choose in Pembrokeshire and beyond.
More information about where you can hold your ceremony as well as contact details for all the venues approved for marriages and civil partnerships in Pembrokeshire can be found on where to hold your ceremony (opens in a new tab)
What type of ceremony can I have?
Civil or religious marriage: a legal union of two people requiring the exchange of vows in front of at least two witnesses.
Civil partnership: a legal union of two people in front of at least two witnesses where vows do not need to be exchanged.
Civil marriages and civil partnership can range from a simple registration where the minimum legal requirements are met to a highly personalised and bespoke ceremony
Celebrant led ceremony: a non-legal celebration. This type of ceremony can be combined with a legal ceremony either immediately following the non-legal part of the celebration or on another day (if taking place at an unlicensed venue).
What ceremony packages do you offer?
All our ceremonies are designed to meet your individual preferences, whether you want a simple ‘fuss free’ registration or a fully bespoke event. We have a range of packages to suit all tastes and budgets.
A simple registration in a registration office in front of two witnesses (Tuesdays only).
A simple ceremony in our ceremony room with up to eight guests (Wednesday – Friday).
An enhanced ceremony in our ceremony room with up to 30 guests (Wednesday – Friday) and up to 60 guests (Saturday).
An enhanced or bespoke ceremony at a licenced venue (any day).
A split ceremony at a licenced venue, combining a celebrant led celebration followed by a legal marriage or civil partnership registration (any day).
A dual ceremony a celebrant led celebration at a location of your choice (any day) plus a simple legal ceremony in our ceremony room (Wednesday - Saturday).
A celebratory ceremony such as a naming ceremony, renewal of vows or commitment ceremony.
For more information about our different ceremony options or to talk to one of our team.
Email: ceremonies@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01437 775826
How will I plan and personalise my ceremony?
Once you have booked your ceremony you will get access to your personal ceremony portal. The portal will guide you through the process of planning and personalising your ceremony.
You will be able to:
- View your ceremony booking details
- Update your personal details
- Book your notices if you currently live in Pembrokeshire
- Choose your ceremony script
- Let us know any extra details so we can make sure your ceremony runs smoothly.
- Pay your ceremony fees.
If you have booked:
- a ceremony at an approved premises,
- our enhanced ceremony room
- a celebrant led ceremony
Your ceremony registrar will meet with you (either in person or by telephone or video link) to go through your ceremony choices and all the details needed to ensure your ceremony runs smoothly and meets your requirements.
How do I pay for my ceremony?
Payments can be made through your ceremony portal or by telephoning us on 01437 775826. View the full list of current fees (opens in a new tab).
Save the date When you make any booking in advance you will need to pay a non-refundable ‘save the date’ fee. This fee will hold your booking for a 14 day cooling-off period at the end of which time you must pay the statutory fee or deposit.
Statutory fees for simple and religious ceremony registrations are determined by the General Register Office and will need to be paid in full within 14 days of booking.
There will be no further statutory fee payments required unless the General Register Office implement a fee increase before the ceremony takes place. You will not need to pay any fee increase if the ceremony is taking place less than 3 months after the date of the increase.
Deposit For all other ceremonies, you will need to pay a ceremony deposit within 14 days of booking.
Final balance Fees are set in September for the following year giving you a minimum of 6 months’ notice of your final payment. Once your final balance has been added to the portal you can pay it at any time, but it should be paid a minimum of 12 weeks before your ceremony.
Please note: The final amount you need to pay will be based on the date of your ceremony. Please see our current fees (opens in a new tab).
If you require any of the following additional services, these will be added to your ceremony package after discussion with your ceremony registrar. Fees for these additional services will need to paid within seven days.
Rehearsal If you would like to have a rehearsal you can let us know through the ceremony portal. Your ceremony registrar will contact you around a month before your ceremony to book a convenient day and time for your rehearsal.
You can also request a rehearsal at your ceremony planning meeting. Fees for rehearsals vary depending on where it will be taking place and the day/time.
Split ceremony fee If you are having a legal ceremony at an approved premise but would like to include religious or pagan elements (e.g. handfasting), there is an additional fee as we would need to provide a celebrant led ceremony as well as the legal ceremony.
Bespoke script fee All our ceremonies are very personal but if you want a completely bespoke ceremony with lots of additional elements there is a small additional fee.
If you would like to speak to one of our team before making a booking or at any time during the lead up to your ceremony, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Contact us
Email: ceremonies@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01437 775826
Pembrokeshire Registration Service
Pembrokeshire Register Office
Pembrokeshire Archives
Prendergast
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 2PE
Opening hours - Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm