About us

Service wording
Service music
The Registrars

Departure & arrival
The guests
The ceremony
The pre dinner drinks
The dinner & dance

After dinner speech
After dinner speech

Invitations

limousine
Venue
Photography
Entertainment

Mini bus hire
Grooms tailoring
Rings & ear studs

Place Cards

Wording of the Ceremony

Initially we were given so many different options for how it could be worded, it was a bit bewildering. We ended up choosing the following and many guests said how they thought the ceremony and atmosphere was superior to that in many standard weddings!

All thanks go to the Registrar in Kings Lynn for offering such a selection.

Celebrant: We welcome you here today on this very special occasion of deep significance for Clifford and Peter. Today they will affirm their love and declare their commitment to each other

The place in which we are now met has been duly sanctioned according to the law for the registration of civil partnerships. You are here to witness the formation of a civil partnership between Clifford and Peter and to show your support for the love, trust and understanding that they have for each other.

Clifford and Peter have chosen to commit themselves to each other by agreeing to sign a legally binding contract, which unites them as partners for life.

Vows taken by both of us: I promise to share my life openly with you, I will cherish and care for you, honour and encourage you. I will respect you as an individual and be true to you through good times and bad. To these things I give you my word.

Reading by the Celebrant:

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.

And when it subsides, you have to make a decision.

You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together,

That it is inconceivable that you should ever part.

Because that is what love is.

Love is not breathless, it is not excitement.

It is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.

It is not the desire to possess each other every second minute of the day.

It is not lying awake at night imagining passionate kisses and embraces.

No, don't blush. I am telling you some truths.

That is just being in love, which any fool can do.

Love is what is left over when being in love has burned away.

That is what I want for you;

That your roots will grow towards each other underground,

And when all the pretty blossom have fallen from your branches,

You find that you are one tree and not two.

From Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres, published by Secker and Warburg.

The giving of the rings

Celebrant: We have now come to the part of the ceremony where Clifford and Peter have chosen to exchange rings;

Peter to Clifford: I promise to give you my love and friendship; to always put you first before anything else; to be there for you when you need me most; to laugh and cry with you and to share my deepest thoughts with you; to trust and respect you and be faithful always. I promise to support you through good times and bad. You are my partner for life and I will not take our love for granted. These promises I make to you for the rest of my life.

Clifford to Peter: This ring I give you as a token of my love and affection and of the vows that we have made. I promise to care for you with love and friendship; to support and comfort you through good times and through troubled times. I promise to care for you with love and patience, to respect and cherish you and to be faithful always. These promises I make to you for the rest of my life.

Celebrant: We hope these rings will be a constant reminder to you both of the promises you have made to each other today.

We now come to the signing of the schedule which will unite Clifford and Peter together in law.

Each of us: I declare that I know of no legal reason why we may not register as each others civil partner. I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other.

Presentation of the Certificate: Celebrant:

Clifford and Peter have openly and sincerely declared their affection for each other, they have affirmed their belief in the precious truth that love is the foundation of life; Between couples, Between families, Between friends. They have promised before you all, to cherish their love for each other for as long as they both live. Hence, we are witnesses not only to the legal act, But also to a deeper truth.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sure you would like to join me in offering my congratulations to Clifford and Peter and it is my pleasure to present you with your certificate.