Civil partnerships

The legal process of forming a civil partnership does not include any requirement for a ceremony. However for those who wish to mark the occasion and share it with family and friends we offer the choice to add a ceremony to the partnership registration.

The ceremony will be personally built and special to you under our banner of 'your ceremony your choice.' Our staff will be able to guide you through the possibilities and offer our Victoria and Alexandra ceremony rooms and The Grand Chamber here at the lovely art-deco Wandsworth Town Hall for the occasion.

There is also a wide variety of venues across the borough legally approved for partnership formations. You can of course arrange to continue your celebrations with a party at these venues, though we regret that such facilities are not available for the Register Office and Grand Chamber ceremonies at the Town Hall.

What is a commitment ceremony?

A commitment ceremony is a very special way for couples to celebrate their commitment to each other. It is an opportunity to affirm your commitment to each other and to sharing your lives - being the most important person in the other's life.

Ceremonies can be private affairs when the couple choose to make vows to each other in the presence of a celebrant or you may wish to include your family and friends in a public declaration of your intention to share your lives. Your own personally designed ceremony presented by our experienced celebrants will make the occasion really a day to remember.

Things you should know about our commitment ceremonies

• A ceremony can be held whenever you wish to mark a right of passage in your relationship into a lifelong commitment to each other.
• The ceremony will last about 20 minutes - a little longer or a little less depending on your choices.
• To design your unique and personal occasion we will arrange an appointment for you to meet a celebrant. We will then build around the particular choices you make to make a ceremony for your special occasion.
• We offer ceremonies on most days at most times. For ceremonies at our venues you should talk to the managers about suitable times and dates then ring the Register Office to confirm the availability of a celebrant.
• Ceremonies at the Town Hall are available when the building is open.
• You will receive a special certificate commemorating the ceremony. There is a choice of certificate styles and you may purchase extra certificates for a small fee - they make a lovely momento of the day.
• The ceremony has no legal status and the commemorative certificate cannot be used for identity purposes.
• Fees range from £75 to £150 depending on date and place.

Your ceremony guide

Led by one of our experienced celebrants and built around the choices you make we hope we will be part of a memorable day celebrating your commitment to each other.

At the heart of the ceremony will be your wish to make vows or promises to each other. You will commit to a common vision of the future - a future of being together through life.

There is also that special choice that you have made to make your new vows to each other with your circle of friends and family - those with whom you are choosing to celebrate one of life's special moments and those you turn to in times of need. It may be your choice to acknowledge your thanks to them, or special members of your family, or your children or parents for all the support they provide for you as a couple.

We will always encourage you to make some choices and get others (and yourselves) involved in part of the ceremony. We have a collection of readings as well as vows and you can have music and take photographs and video.

You may choose to have rings included in the ceremony - the rings can be presented by a friend or child - who ever you want to include. You may prefer to give some other token of the vows you make.

Whatever choices you make we feel sure that it will enhance your enjoyment of the day.