Your Commitment Ceremony

Here at Morden Park House we would like you and your guests to feel welcome and most importantly relaxed. This guide will give you some advice and will allow you to customise your ceremony to make it personal to you.

At the end of this guide, there is a customising form that you will need to complete and return to us at least one week before your ceremony.

If you would like to meet the Registrar who will be conducting your ceremony, please telephone the office to arrange an appointment. Staffing is usually completed 4-6 weeks prior to the date of your ceremony. You are welcome to discuss any enhancements to your ceremony during your appointment with the Registrar or by e-mail/letter.

Telephone: 0208 274 5777

E-mail: register.office@merton.gov.uk

Important Information for your Ceremony

Room Capacity

Sheridan Room maximum 30 guests (all seated)Lord Nelson Room maximum 40 guests (all seated)

Ewart Room maximum 100 guests (all seated)

If more guests attend your ceremony than the room capacity, they will be asked to wait outside until the end of the ceremony.

Fees

Fees must be paid three months before your ceremony day. Payment may be made by credit/debit card, by telephone or in person.

Perfect Timing

On your big day it is important to get the timings right to avoid delay and the possibility of disappointment.

We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your ceremony is due to start, to have one final chat with the registrar about your ceremony. This gives us the opportunity to check if there are any changes required for your ceremony.

The ceremony will last around 30 minutes, depending on the number of readings and personal promises you wish to include in it.

For couples who have ordered buses, it is usually best to instruct them to arrive no later than 45 minutes after the start of the ceremony. This allows you time to take photographs before you leave.

Please note: Registrars are very busy and will normally be attending several ceremonies in one day. Remember to make allowances for traffic delays, parking and any photographs and inform your guests of this. If you are late, we may not be able to proceed with the ceremony as it could impact on another couple’s big day.

Parking

Parking is available in the ‘Pay and Display’ car park in the vicinity of Morden Park House. (Free after 1pm on Saturday and all day Sunday).

The couples’ car only is invited to park outside the main entrance of the House. Please use the intercom at the barrier to gain entry.

There is limited parking at the side of the House for disabled guests. Please use the intercom at the barrier to gain entry.

Special Requirements

If there are any special requirements for either yourselves or your guests, please discuss these with the office before your ceremony to enable us to accommodate these needs if we are able to.

Outline of your ceremon y Entrance

Introduction and welcome

Reading 1 (Optional)

Statement of free will

Promise of commitment

Ring / gift exchange (Optional)

Reading 2 (Optional)

ENDING

Signing of certificate

Presentation

Exit

Your Ceremony Choices

Entrance

One partner may enter separately, escorted by the person of their choice, or you may enter together.

Music and Readings

Music and readings can be included in your ceremony, provided they are not of a religious nature. Music is normally played while the guests assemble, for the entrance of the couple, during the signing of the certificate and when the couple exit.

Please provide us with a copy of your reading(s) and music (if on a CD) before your ceremony to ensure that they are appropriate. If you have any doubts over this please contact us and we can advise you further. You can chose to have a poem, an extract from a book or you can write something personal to you if you wish to. Please provide the name(s) of the person / people who will be doing the reading(s).

At Morden Park House we have a CD player. We also have the ability to plug any audio device with a headphone socket into the speakers. One of your guests will then need to be in charge of playing the music at the appropriate times.

Live music can be performed using non-electrical instruments.

We can provide music, but have a limited selection of CDs.

Statement of Free Will and Promises

During the ceremony you will make two declarations before your witnesses, guests and the registrar. You will declare your freedom to commit to one another, and then make lifelong promises to each other. There is a choice of five promises you can make to one another, these are listed below. You can also make your own promises to each other, to give your ceremony a personal touch. These words do not need to be memorised as you will repeat them, a few words at a time, after the registrar. If you wanted to make your own promises please attach them to the end of the customising form. You can also use both our promises and your own if you wish to.

Promises

1) I promise to love you, care for you, comfort and support you. I will take your hand and stand by you whatever life brings.

2) I promise to commit my life to you, share happiness and laughter with you, support your dreams and goals and continue to be your friend for the rest of our lives.

3) I promise to respect you, be kind to you, cherish and protect you. I will let my love continue to grow for you as we grow old together.

4) I promise to encourage you to be the best you can be. I will work with you to achieve your goals. I will be tolerant and trusting towards you and I will love you for today and all of our tomorrows.

5) I promise to give you all that I am, share all that I have and to remain true to you for the rest of our lives.

Exchanging Rings / Gifts

It can be nice to give and receive a ring or a gift during the ceremony, however there is no obligation to do this. You may wish one of your guests to present your rings/gifts to you, alternatively, we have a ring cushion for you to use or you may like to provide your own.

During the exchange of rings/gifts there is also the option to say a few words to each other. Our standard words are listed below, but again you can customise your own if you wish to. Please send them to us along with the customising form.

Ring Exchange

1) I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment towards you. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you that you are surrounded by my ever lasting love.

2) Please accept this ring/gift to seal the promises I have made to you. Let it be a constant reminder of how much I love you each and every day.

3) I give you this ring/gift as a symbol of my love and friendship towards you. Wear it with pride for now and always.

4) This ring is a token of my love and devotion to you. It is an outward symbol that our two lives are joined as one.

Signing of the Certificate

The registrar will ask you to sign the certificate at the end of the ceremony. This is a memento from your special day.

Your Witnesses

You can bring two witnesses to your ceremony. Your witnesses can be anyone you choose. It is your responsibility to provide witnesses for your ceremony, as we are unable to provide them for you. They do not need to bring identification.

Photographs and Videography

We are happy for one of your guests OR your photographer to take discreet photographs during the ceremony. You may video the ceremony provided the video camera is battery operated.

You and your partner may have some photographs on the stairs while your guests make their way outside for group photographs.

Confetti

Confetti may be thrown outside the building. Confetti can be purchased from Reception on the day of the ceremony. We also offer a pre-order service so you can collect confetti for your guests on the day. Please use the order form with the pre-ceremony organiser. We will contact you to take payment over the phone using a credit or debit card beforehand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we have more than two witnesses?

A: Yes you can, you can choose to have more if you wish.

Q: What happens if more guests attend than anticipated?A: For safety reasons, every room has a maximum number of people who can be accommodated. If your number of guests exceeds this, unfortunately some of them will have to remain outside. If your guest list increases we can change your booking to a larger room, if one is available. Any difference in cost will be payable at the time of making the change.

Q: How long does the ceremony last?A: The average ceremony takes between 20-30 minutes, depending on how many readings and other enhancements are included.

Q: What time should we instruct our onward transport to pick us up?A: Your transport should arrive to collect you approximately 30 - 40 minutes after the ceremony start time. Ideally your transport should be waiting for you as you all emerge from Morden Park House, ready to whisk you away to your celebrations.

Q: Can Morden Park House accept deliveries of flowers or champagne on our behalf?A: Unfortunately we do not have the facility to safely store any goods delivered in conjunction with your ceremony.

Pre-Ceremony Organiser

Ceremony Details

Date & time of ceremony

Venue of the ceremony

Number of guest

Names

Full name of Partner One:

Full name of Partner Two:

Informal names:(eg. Elizabeth = Beth)

Partner One: Partner Two:

Full name of first witness

Full name of second witness

Entrance

(Please indicate as appropriate)

With your partner after guests Partner 1 with party after guests

Does one of you wish to be “given away”. If yes please complete the section below.

Yes No Members of the entrance party please list:

Name of the person giving the person away

Relationship to person

Ceremony

Promises (please include personal promises)

Person1, Promise No:

And / Or own promise

Person 2,

Promise No:

And / Or own promise

Ring / Gift Exchange (Please include exchange vows)

Partner 1 to Partner 2 Ring / Gift – Exchange No:

And / or personal exchange vows.

Partner 2 to partner 1 Ring / Gift – Exchange No:

And / or personal exchange vows.

Music

(Please indicate as appropriate, remember that the music must not be religious, if in doubt please contact us)

Method: CD* Ipod Live Music MP3 Player/Phone

While the guest assemble

Entrance of partner/s

Signing Exit Music

Readings

(Please indicate as appropriate, remember that the readings must not be religious, if in doubt please contact us)

1st Reading Read by

2nd Reading Read by

End of the Ceremony

Will the ceremony conclude with a kiss?

Yes No

* We are unable to guarantee that self-burnt CD will work in all our CD players.

If you wish to pre-order items from us please complete the form below. To avoid disappointment please place your orders at least one week before the ceremony.NB: Merton Registration Service reserve the right to substitute equivalent products.

Confetti & Other Items Order Form

Name of couple

Date and time of ceremony

Item Price Quantity

Silver and White Throwing Confetti

£1.50 per box

Pink and White Throwing Confetti

£1.50 per box

'Frills&Spills' Pink Wedding Confetti

£1.50 per box

Confetti Shooter 20cm £2.50 each

Confetti Shooter 80cm £5.00 each

Wedding Bubbles £1.00 each

DIRECTIONS TO MORDEN PARK HOUSE

Take Northern line to Morden. Cross over the road and either catch a bus (No 80,93 or 154) to South Thames College or turn right and walk along the A24 for approximately 20 minutes to South Thames College. Take right turn immediately before the college buildings. Morden Park House is located at the end of this lane in the park.

By Rail (Thameslink)

Use Morden South Station, approximately 40 minutes from Blackfriars. South Thames College is almost opposite the station. See above.

By Road

From M25 (Junction 9) take the A24 signposted to Epsom and travel north in the direction of Morden. Approximately 8 miles further on you will pass a sign 'Welcome to Merton ' followed by a stretch of parkland on the left. Traffic lights are at the top of the hill with a lay-by on the left. South Thames College buildings are on the left beyond the lay-by. At the set of traffic lights immediately past these buildings turn left. Signs to the Register Office and Morden Swimming Pool are visible at this junction. Proceed to the end of the lane. Morden Park House will be visible and a pay and display car park is on the right.

From Central London travel through Wandsworth or Wimbledon until the A24 is reached. Follow the directions to M25 and Dorking. Ignore signs to Morden Hall Park as this is a completely different building. Follow A24, pass under the railway bridge and turn right immediately prior to South Thames College.

A member of the team will be pleased to assist if you cannot locate us. Please telephone 0208 274 5777.