Types of ceremonies

Our ceremonies can be a marriage or civil partnership but must not include anything religious.

We offer five levels of ceremonies:

• Diamond
• Ruby
• Emerald
• Sapphire
• You Plus Two (no personalisation options)

Personalisation is optional and can include the following:

• your own choice of music
• poems and readings
• exchanging personal promises to each other
• exchange of rings

You will receive your ceremony plan six months prior to your ceremony day. If you book your ceremony within six months, your plan will be sent to you as soon as possible.

Diamond ceremonies

Our diamond ceremonies occur at licensed venues across Lincolnshire. Ceremonies are available throughout the day, seven days a week.

At licenced venues the booking includes the registrar attendance only. Additional fees will apply for the hire of the venue. 

It is possible to have the legal ceremony outdoors at a licensed venue. You must confirm that your venue is offering outdoor ceremonies and that the registration service has approved the outdoor location.

We also offer diamond ceremonies at The Usher Gallery in Lincoln on set dates throughout the year. The Usher Gallery can accommodate 80 guests and provides a stunning venue for couples to tie the knot.

At the Usher Gallery the booking includes the registrar and the hire of the venue.

Ruby ceremonies

Our Ruby ceremonies take place in ceremony rooms on select days at our registration offices in:

• Boston (Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Gainsborough (Thursday to Saturday)
• Grantham (Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Lincoln (Wednesday to Saturday)
• Louth (Thursday to Saturday)
• Sleaford (Fridays and Saturdays only)
• Spalding (Thursday to Saturday)
• Stamford (Thursday to Saturday)

Ruby Ceremony bookings include the registrar and the hire of the venue.

To find out more information about our ceremony rooms and their capacity.

Emerald ceremonies

Our Emerald ceremonies take place in ceremony rooms on select days at our registration offices in:

• Long Sutton
• Horncastle
• Skegness

These ceremonies accommodate 25 guests and are available from Thursday to Saturday.

Emerald ceremony bookings include the registrar and the hire of the venue.

Sapphire ceremonies

From 2024 our sapphire ceremonies offer a lower cost off-peak option for couples with up to 10 guests.

These ceremonies only occur one Tuesday morning a month at Registration Offices across Lincolnshire.

Sapphire ceremony bookings include the registrar and the hire of the venue.

These ceremonies can be booked 12 months in advance.

‘You plus two’ ceremony

With just the minimum legal requirements (two witnesses only), these ceremonies are only available at our registration offices in:

• Lincoln
• Boston
• Grantham

These ceremonies occur in an office rather than a ceremony room and cannot be personalised. The ceremony involves just yourselves and two witnesses. No other guests are permitted to attend.

You plus two’ ceremonies are only available on specific Mondays each month. Appointments for this type of ceremony are very limited and generally only available six months away.

Further information

• Find a venue or registry office
• Book a marriage or civil partnership
• Marriage in a church or other religious building

Ceremony fees

The ceremony fee is based on the date your ceremony will take place, not the date of booking.

The revised fees will come into effect each year from 1 April.

Ceremonies in approved venues

Fees for registrars to attend an approved venue. Venues will have their own additional fees.

The Usher Art Gallery

All fees include room hire and the registrars conducting the ceremony.

Ruby ceremonies

All fees include room hire and the registrars conducting the ceremony.

Emerald ceremonies

All fees include room hire and the registrars conducting the ceremony.

Saphire ceremonies

All fees include room hire and the registrars conducting the ceremony.

You Plus Two Ceremony

This ceremony currently costs £46, which includes the registrars. Fees for statutory ceremonies are set by the government and changes can take place at any time.

If the fee changes between the time of booking and the date of your ceremony, we reserve the right to pass on any fee increases.

Marriage certificates

Marriage certificates cost £11 each.