Plan your marriage or civil partnership
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Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies
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Use our guide to plan your ceremony – from choosing a venue right through to what happens on the day itself. We explain the steps you need to follow and when they need to happen.

![registrar signing register with couple](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/wp-content/uploads/sites/158/2023/07/couple-signing-regsitary-01.png)

A step-by-step guide to planning a marriage or civil partnership
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You can get married or form a civil partnership if you are 18 or over, free to marry or form a civil partnership (single, divorced or widowed) and not closely related. If you or your partner are from outside the UK or Ireland, you might need to [apply for a visa to get married in the UK](https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships/from-outside-the-uk-or-ireland).

### 01Think about the ceremony

![wedding welcome sign](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/wp-content/uploads/sites/158/2023/07/welcome-sign-01-270x270.png)

One of the first things you’ll want to do is [decide whether to have a civil ceremony or a religious ceremony](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/marriages-and-civil-partnerships/ceremonies/) – although if you’re forming a civil partnership you cannot have a religious ceremony.

### 02Choose a venue

![Deer Park](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/wp-content/uploads/sites/158/2013/10/Deer-Park-scaled-1-270x270.jpg)

There are over [200 venues across Devon licensed to hold civil ceremonies](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/venues/), including hotels, converted barns, stately homes and our own [registration offices](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/venues/register-offices/).

We’re sure you will be able to find something to suit your tastes or match your budget!

### 03Book a registrar

![registrar](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/wp-content/uploads/sites/158/2023/07/registrars-01-270x270.png)

Once you have chosen where and when you would like your ceremony to take place you will need to contact us to [book a registrar](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/marriages-and-civil-partnerships/book-a-registrar/) to conduct your ceremony.

### 04Give your notice

![man signing document](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/wp-content/uploads/sites/158/2023/07/man-with-pen-signs-document-01-270x270.png)

Giving notice of your intention to get married or form a civil partnership is a legal requirement and you must both do this before your ceremony can take place.

We recommend that you [book an appointment](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/marriages-and-civil-partnerships/give-notice/) three months before your ceremony – but you must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony is due to take place.

### 05Personalise your ceremony

![personalise your ceremony](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/wp-content/uploads/sites/158/2023/07/Personalise-your-ceremony-01-270x270.png)

You’ve booked your venue and the registrar – now’s the time to add the finer details to your ceremony.

Unless your ceremony is taking place in a register office, you’ll be asked to complete a ceremony preference form to tell us more about your chosen readings, music or personal vows you would like included in your ceremony.

### 06On the big day

![ceremony wedding sign](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/wp-content/uploads/sites/158/2023/07/ceromony-wedding-sign-01-270x270.jpg)

When your big day arrives, our registrar will be there to help and guide you through all you are required to do and say.

We’ve provided some [useful information to help you think about, and prepare for, some of the most important parts of your day](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/marriages-and-civil-partnerships/on-the-day/).

Further information
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### [Ceremony terms and conditions](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/terms-and-conditions/)

Booking, payment and cancellation information.

### [Ceremony fees](https://www.devon.gov.uk/registration-service/marriages-and-civil-partnerships/ceremony-fees/)

Take a look at the costs associated with booking a ceremony.

### [Convert a same-sex civil partnership](https://www.gov.uk/convert-civil-partnership)

Find out how same-sex couples can convert a civil partnership into a marriage.