Renewal of vows ceremonies are for couples who are already married or in a civil partnership and want to renew their marriage vows or civil partnership commitment.
Couples often have a ceremony to celebrate a special anniversary or to celebrate a renewed commitment to each other after a period of difficulty.
If you were married or you registered your civil partnership abroad, it could also give you an opportunity to have a ceremony with family and friends who were unable to travel.
The ceremony and any associated documents presented have no legal status; it's simply an opportunity for a couple to celebrate their marriage or civil partnership with family and friends.
You can have a renewal of vows ceremony at a registration office or a licensed venue.
Couples who want to have a religious ceremony should contact their local church or religious community.
You don't have to live in the area where you'd like to hold the ceremony.
Arrange a ceremony
For a ceremony at Bristol Register Office, you should first contact the Register Office to check availability.
For a ceremony at one of our approved venues you should also make a provisional booking with the venue.
We ask for a non refundable booking fee of £50 when booking your ceremony and we'll also need to see your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.
You can ask two people to sign the commemorative certificate as witnesses if you wish.
Book the registrar
Contact the Register Office on 0117 9222 800 to check the availability of dates.
You can pre book your celebrant up to two years in advance.
What happens at the ceremony
The ceremony is usually about 20 to 30 minutes and can include:
- Introduction and welcome
- Readings
- The opportunity to mention any children of the marriage or grandchildren
- Renewal of vows and promises
- Rededication of rings
- Signing the souvenir certificate and photo opportunity
We'll appoint a celebrant to conduct your ceremony, but they won't be acting in any official capacity, even if they also work as a registrar.
At your ceremony you'll be given a commemorative certificate, which you'll sign along with your witnesses.
Unlike a marriage certificate, which is a legal document, you can't use renewal of vows ceremony certificates cannot as proof of identification.
Renewal of vows ceremony fees
The fees at any venue cover:
- all administration before and on the day of your ceremony
- the attendance of the celebrant on ceremony day
- a commemorative certificate
A ceremony held at Bristol registration office, The Old Council House costs:
1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
The Mayoral Room
- Monday to Friday: £335
- Saturday: £367.50
The Lantern Room
- Monday to Friday: £900
- Saturday: £990
- Sunday: £1,140
- Bank Holiday: £1,152
The Grand Council Chamber
- Monday to Friday: £1,075
- Saturday: £1,165
- Sunday: £1,346
- Bank Holiday: £1,358
Approved premises
- Monday to Saturday: £668
- Sunday: £689
- Bank Holiday: £775
1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
The Mayoral Room
- Monday to Friday: £340.50
- Saturday: £373.50
- Sundays and bank holidays: not available
The Lantern Room
- Monday to Friday: £916.50
- Saturday: £1,008.50
- Sunday: £1,161.50
- Bank Holiday: £1,173.50
The Grand Council Chamber
- Monday to Friday: £1,095.50
- Saturday: £1,186.50
- Sunday: £1,371.50
- Bank Holiday: £1,383.50
Approved premises
- Monday to Saturday: £681.50
- Sunday: £702.50
- Bank Holiday: £790.50