Since Nottinghamshire County Council confirmed that wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships in registration offices or Council approved premises could recommence from Saturday 4 July following the updated Government guidelines 28 have taken place.

The Nottinghamshire County Council Registration team is reminding couples of the new guidelines due to coronavirus which mean that their ceremony will perhaps be slightly different to what was originally planned.

There are five registration offices in Nottinghamshire where couples can now tie the knot and each location has its own maximum occupancy to allow for social distancing.  Whilst the Government guidelines allow up to 30 guests this is all based on the size of the ceremony room.

Nottinghamshire’s registration offices are based in West Bridgford, Arnold, Mansfield, Newark and Worksop and the numbers of guests varies from a total of six-people for West Bridgford and Arnold.  19-people at Mansfield, 10-people at Newark and four-people in Worksop.  In addition to these numbers there will be two registrars allowed at each office to perform the ceremony.

Ceremonies will look very different with everyone having to social distance and the ceremonies being very short with only the legal requirements taking place to ensure the partnership is legally binding.  The ceremony itself will have no readings, promises nor choice of music.  Ring exchange is allowed but the rings will need to be kept by the couple.

Councillor John Handley, Vice Chairman for the Communities and Place committee at the County Council said: “Our team of registrars are working hard to ensure our booked ceremonies can take place.  We have had almost half of the pre booked weddings cancelled or moved as some couples decide to wait for their big day when it can take place as they first planned.

“Not all our licensed premises are opening straight away, and it is the duty of the venue to ensure that the legal requirement of social distancing is adhered to.  Our team of registrars will be working with couples to ensure that the new guidelines are made clear so that everyone understands what can happen during this period. I’d like to please ask those with weddings planned, bear with us in these difficult circumstances.”

For further information on how to book a wedding or to seek any clarification if you have a wedding booked with a County Council Registrar please call the 0300 500 8080 or visit our weddings frequently asked questions.

For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships