Congratulations and thank you for choosing Cheylesmore Manor House/Coventry Registration District for your special day!
We will do everything we can to make your day run smoothly from your first enquiry to the throwing of confetti. We aim to make everything as perfect and stress free as possible.
Arranging a ceremony can seem daunting even if your plans are in full swing. Here are some useful reminders to help with preparations for the big day.
Enhanced Ceremonies
If you are holding your ceremony in the Queen Isabella Room, Black Prince Room, or at one of our Approved Venues, a consultation with our Ceremony Coordinator is included as part of your package.
During this appointment, we will help tailor your ceremony to reflect your individual wishes and discuss a range of enhancement options available to make your day even more special.
Our experienced Ceremony Coordinator will provide a personal, supportive service, answering any questions you may have and guiding you through the planning process. With every detail taken care of, you can relax and look forward to enjoying your special day.
You can book an appointment with the Ceremony Co-ordinator here
Please be aware that these appointments are very popular and book up quickly, so please don't leave it too late to arrange yours.
Fees and Payments
You can access your Personal Ceremony Portal at any time to view any outstanding balance and make payments whenever it suits you. We offer flexible payment options, allowing you to spread the cost of your ceremony over time and manage your budget in a way that works best for you.
Please note: All ceremony fees must be paid in full no later than three months before your ceremony date. We recommend making regular payments through the portal to ensure your balance is cleared on time.
Do arrive on time
Allow plenty of time to arrive, we advise 15 minutes before your ceremony (or 30 minutes for partner 1 and 15 minutes for partner 2 if your ceremony is in the Black Prince Room or an Approved Venue).
If you arrive late, your marriage/civil partnership may have to be postponed whereas if guests arrive late, the ceremony can start without them.
Don’t get a parking ticket
Only two vehicles will be allowed to park on our premises. Guests will need to make their own arrangements.
There is a pay and display car park adjacent to the register office. If you are holding your ceremony at an approved premise please confirm the parking arrangements with the venue.
Guest Numbers
To ensure the comfort and safety of everyone attending your ceremony, it is important that you do not invite more guests than the maximum capacity of your chosen venue. These limits are set by fire regulations and must be strictly adhered to. Unfortunately, Registration Service and venue staff cannot permit additional guests to attend once the maximum capacity has been reached.
The maximum guest numbers for each ceremony room are:
- Black Prince Room – 50 guests
- Queen Isabella Room – 18 guests
- Library Room – 8 guests
- Approved Venue – Please confirm the maximum capacity directly with your chosen venue
We recommend finalising your guest list as early as possible to avoid any disappointment on the day.
Signing the Schedule
Once the ceremony is complete you will be asked to carefully check that the details on the schedule are correct and confirm and sign the information.
Your witnesses and Registrars in attendance will also sign the schedule. It is important that all details are thoroughly checked as a fee for a correction is payable after the ceremony.
Health & Safety
Cheylesmore Manor House is a medieval building and the oldest building in England that can perform legal ceremonies.
There are many original features such as uneven floors and steps to the first-floor ceremony rooms. There is a lift available for any of your party who are unable to manage stairs.
Please let us know in advance if you need to use of the lift and our usher will escort them before and after the ceremony. Also please flag any other reasonable adjustments needed and we will do our best to ensure we support in any way possible.
Cancellation and Reschedule Policy
We understand that, despite everyone's best efforts to plan your special day, unexpected circumstances can sometimes arise. There may be occasions when you need to cancel or reschedule your ceremony, and we will always do our best to help where possible.
We hope you won't need to use this information, but we recommend that you familiarise yourself with our cancellation and rescheduling policy so that you are aware of the options available should your plans change.
Please refer to the details here for information on any applicable fees, timescales, and conditions relating to cancellations and changes to ceremony bookings.
Legal Words for Marriage and Civil Partnership Ceremonies
To be legally married in England and Wales, you must say the required declaratory and contracting words during your ceremony. These words will be spoken by repeating them after the Registrar.
Please choose Option A, B or C below.
For a Civil Partnership, you must read or say aloud the legal declaration printed on your Civil Partnership Schedule.
Option A
Declaratory Words
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I ... may not be joined in matrimony to ...
Contracting Words
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I ... do take thee ... to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.
Option B
Declaratory Words
I declare that I know of no legal reason why I ... may not be joined in marriage to ...
Contracting Words
I ... take thee ... to be my wedded wife/husband.
Option C
Declaratory Words
By replying:
"I am"
to the question:
"Are you ... free lawfully to marry ...?"
Contracting Words
I ... take you ... to be my wedded wife/husband.
Civil Partnership Legal Declaration
I declare that I know of no legal reason why we may not register as each other’s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other.
Choosing Your Legal Words
If you have chosen a Manor Experience Ceremony in the Library Room, you will need to select one of the above options and inform the Registrar of your choice before your ceremony begins on the day.
If you are marrying in the Black Prince Room, Queen Isabella Room, or at an Approved Venue, you can provide your chosen option by completing your ceremony options questionnaire before the day or by discussing it with your Ceremony Coordinator during your pre-ceremony appointment.
Small children
If you have young bridesmaids make sure they know who they will be sitting with for the ceremony. Guests' children may not understand the importance of a ceremony and can become bored; encourage guests to bring along a small toy for amusement.
Taking photographs
During your ceremony one photographer and one videographer will be permitted.
The registrars and the photographer/videographer are each trying to provide the best possible service for you and by working together in a harmonious and supportive way we can achieve a perfect ceremony and photographic record of the event.
Guests and family members are required not to take photographs during the ceremony.
Confetti
Confetti is a familiar part of the ceremony, but please help us to keep Cheylesmore Manor tidy and attractive by asking your guests to wait until you are outside the building before throwing confetti.
Our confetti packs are made up of Larkspur / delphinium petals which make the most amazing biodegradable throwing wedding confetti. Each tiny petals creates a beautiful effect when captured in photos. Our larkspur /delphinium petals are naturally dried and dye free
There is less cleaning with biodegradable wedding confetti as it blows away in the wind within minutes of it being thrown. Paper confetti would more than likely involve someone sweeping it away. Furthermore, the biodegradable petals are less harmful to wildlife than paper confetti is.
Not only are there these environmental benefits of the biodegradable wedding confetti petals, but, confetti petals do create a better confetti moment than paper confetti. The petals look better in pictures when thrown.
Naturally we would like to do our utmost to protect the environment if you would like to purchase some confetti for your ceremony (if not included in your package) you can do this by visiting your portal or alternatively your guests will be asked before your ceremony if they would like to purchase a sachet for a cost of £2.00 each.
Live Streaming, 28-Day Download and Keepsake Copy
We are pleased to offer a state-of-the-art live streaming service in our Black Prince Room, enabling family and friends from around the world to share in your special day, even if they are unable to attend in person.
Whether loved ones live overseas, have mobility difficulties, or are unable to travel due to ill health, they can still experience your ceremony as it happens. From Australia to local care homes, everyone can be part of your celebration.
As part of this service, your ceremony recording will be available to download and view for 28 days after the ceremony.
For a lasting memento, you can also purchase a professionally edited keepsake copy of your ceremony. Presented in an elegant keepsake box, it provides a treasured record of your special day that you can enjoy for years to come.
This service can be added to your booking at any time through your Personal Ceremony Portal.
Floral arrangements
In our ceremony rooms you are more than welcome to provide your own flowers or floral arrangements, especially if you want them to fit into a particular colour scheme. Please speak with the ceremony co-ordinator at your appointment (if bespoke) for further details.
Themed celebrations
If you have chosen a theme for your wedding, civil partnership, renewal of vows, etc. please talk to the ceremony co-ordinator and we will do our utmost to fit in with your wishes. Our registrars may be willing to enter into the spirit of your celebration. However, please discuss your requirements well in advance.
Lighting and candles
We are often asked for subdued lighting or candlelight at ceremonies. Unfortunately, we are unable to have candlelight within Cheylesmore Manor House. Approved premises will have their own arrangements and should be contacted directly for details.
During all ceremonies registrars will need to have a clear, well lit area whilst conducting and completing the details in the register.