The Brent Magazine issue 87 February 2009

All in a day's work

Wedding wonder
Every week Brent Register Office conducts marriages and civil partnerships. Registration officer Anna Leo explains how she and her colleagues help make sure it all goes smoothly.

Every day a marriage or civil partnership takes place at Brent Register Office and Registration Officer Anna Leo has helped many couples through their big moment. She never tires of the task in to coordinate or officiate ceremonies at Brent Town Hall.

"At Brent there is a great variety of weddings.You get to meet all sorts of people from many nationalities and backgrounds. For example, there are some who have a lot of flowers, others wear incredible hats, or wonderful clothes," she said.

Her work begins quite a while before the big day. "There is an important legal side to marriages and civil partnerships," she explains. "Each couple is interviewed up to a maximum of a year prior to the ceremony when they give notice of intention to marry.

They need to bring along passports and proof of address to ensure they are legally free to marry each other. Just before the ceremony I make sure that the right paperwork has been completed - that the legal authorities have been issued and that there are no significant discrepancies between the information given at the time of notice and the day of marriage.They could have moved address, had a birthday, changed their job or even married someone else in that period of time."

Then the ceremony starts. "Some couples do not want to see each other until the ceremony starts, so we can arrange for the bride to wait somewhere on her own," she said. "Some like the bride to enter separately while the guests and groom are already in the Marriage Room, or in the summer in the Marriage Garden."

Each ceremony is tailored to the couple's tastes. "Many have classical music, or Indian music, or bring their own. I once had an older couple who wore Mod gear from the 1960s and walked into the Marriage Room with rock music playing," she said.

Two register staff are at each ceremony - a Registrar of Marriages who interviews the couple, completes the register and prepares the certificates, and a Superintendent or deputy who officiates on the day.

"I start by saying 'we are here to witness the marriage'.Then I have to ask if 'anyone knows of any lawful reason that they should not be married'.Whenever I say those words there is a silence, and sometimes a giggle or comment.

"I ask them both to stand and they take the vows. I say the words slowly because people are nervous and I want them to feel comfortable and at ease. Quite often people will write their own vows, a poem is read, or someone plays a musical instrument. Then the rings are exchanged.

"I declare them to be man and wife and congratulate them.Then they and two witnesses sign the register.

"It is a privilege to be part of somebody's wedding day. Your name is on the certificate for ever."

For more information contact Brent Register Office email reg@brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 1010.

One couple's story
Ayla and Nick, who married in January at Brent Register Office, said: "It was very special for us because Ayla's birth was registered in Brent and she lived next to the town hall. So it seemed fitting to marry there. The ceremony was wonderful, and the room looked lovely.

We both cried as I walked down the aisle.

We personalised the wedding with readings and music. The Registrar made us feel relaxed and special. He seemed genuine in everything he said, and our family and friends loved the ceremony. We would recommend to anyone that they consider marriage at Brent Register Office."