On the day of the wedding, a traditional English bride will wear a white bridal dress and her groom will wear a suit, typically complete with top hat and tails. The bride is traditionally given a decorative horseshoe, to be worn on her wrist or sewn to the hem of her dress.

The service includes making marriage vows (traditionally religious) by the bride and the groom, exchanging rings, signing the wedding register, (at a side room attended by the bride, the groom, two witnesses and an official)