Registrar and Ceremony Booking: Then vs. Now

A New Era For Registrar and Ceremony Booking Systems
In the early 2000s, legacy suppliers started digitising the registration booking process. But progress stalled. Systems remained static, unable to keep up with the changing needs of councils and residents.
For years, outdated booking systems held registration services back. Councils were stuck with rigid, one-size-fits-all software that lacked the modern tools needed to adapt.
Instead of making processes easier, these systems created inefficiencies. Staff had to work around clunky, outdated tools, increasing workloads rather than reducing them.
Progress slowed, and services suffered.
That’s changed.
We’ve partnered with some of the UK’s most forward-thinking registration services to redefine how the sector operates.
Legacy Constraints
Traditional systems weren’t built for today’s registration services.
Rigid, pre-set workflows make it difficult to adapt. Limited automation and disconnected systems create a clunky, outdated experience. Instead of supporting services, these systems force councils to work around them.
We took a different approach. Rather than retrofitting old technology, we built a system that works for modern registration teams—one that adapts, automates, and simplifies every step of the process.
The Smarter Way to Manage Registration Services
Rules-Based Automation
Our AI-powered scheduling engine transforms how registration teams work.
Here’s how:
- Automated Workflows – The system calculates appointment lengths and optimises slot allocations based on customer data.
- Built in compliance – Configurable business rules ensure statutory KPIs are met without manual intervention.
- Easy Booking – Custom service rules and decision trees guide users to the correct appointments, hiding complexity behind the scenes.
- Simple Self-Service – Guidance messaging and pathway limiters make booking easy for both customers and staff, minimising human error.
- Flexible Overrides – Staff can adjust pathway limiters when needed, allowing for greater flexibility in certain cases.
Our system does the heavy lifting, freeing up your team to focus on delivering a better service.
Integrated Revenue Tools
Drive growth with e-commerce, dynamic pricing, and data-driven optimisation. Let customers book and pay for additional services upfront, making the process smoother while increasing revenue.
Tools You Actually Need
Tailor the system to fit your service model—not the other way around. Every council operates differently, and your technology should adapt to your needs, not force you into rigid processes.
Seamless Customer Experience
A modern, user-friendly platform built on private-sector best practices, making it easy to book, manage, and pay for registrar services and ceremonies.
Workforce Management
Making the most of staff time is key to running an efficient registration service. Our system automates rostering, ensuring the right staff are assigned to the right appointments.
- Smart Staff Allocation – The system assigns bookings based on staff roles, skills, rotas, and locations, ensuring best-fit.
- Integrated Scheduling – Fully integrated scheduling makes it easier to coordinate ceremonies, appointments, and registrar availability.
- Real-Time Visibility – Track availability, training schedules, and non-appointment times to boost staff efficiency.
- Automated Planning – Reduce manual scheduling with a system that dynamically adjusts to service demand.
Better rostering means fewer gaps, less admin, and a more efficient service.
Smarter Communication
Timely, automated updates reduce cancellations, cut no-shows, and improve the customer experience. Our system keeps both customers and staff informed at every stage.
- Automated Notifications – Send SMS and email updates for confirmations, reminders, amendments, service updates, additional information, and payment links.
- Internal Alerts – Keep staff in sync with automated MS Teams notifications and email updates, improving coordination and response times.
With modern communication tools, councils can streamline operations, reduce admin, and ensure a smoother experience for everyone.
Deliver powerful insights
Get real-time insights that drive better decisions. Live reporting and analytics track performance, identify trends, and help you adapt services based on feedback.
We’re Not Just Talking About Change—We’re Delivering It
Later this year, two of London’s leading registration services will launch a fully digital, end-to-end platform designed to set a new industry standard.
These councils are investing in a solution that sustains and grows revenue while improving the customer experience. The platform combines seamless booking, e-commerce, business intelligence, event diary management, and registrar case and task management in one integrated system.
Customers will be able to book, check availability, manage payments, connect with staff, and purchase ceremony add-ons with ease. A sleek, private-sector-inspired design ensures a smooth and intuitive experience.
For management, the system automates operations, reduces staff workload, and provides real-time insights to shape services, optimise demand, and boost revenue. Dynamic pricing models and advanced reporting give councils the tools to refine their offerings and increase financial sustainability.
This project isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a complete shift in how the registration services operate.
We’re proud to be leading this change and look forward to sharing how this platform transforms the sector.
A community-led webinar on this project is in the works—watch this space.
Built for All Registration Services—‘Big’ or ‘Small’
Innovation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every council has different goals. Some focus on growing revenue. Others need to streamline statutory processes.
That’s why we built a modular platform that works for you. It delivers instant efficiencies and scales with your needs. Don’t need a ceremony planning portal? No problem. Don’t need workforce management tools? That’s fine too. Every feature is customisable, so you get exactly what works for your service—nothing more, nothing less.
More Than 'Just' Bookings
We’ll leave the final word to Janine Last, Head of Statutory and Regulated Services at Essex County Council, who summed it up perfectly:
“This platform is so much more than a booking system. It’s allowed us to completely transform our service.”
That’s exactly what we set out to achieve.
With smart automation, flexibility, and a customer-first approach, councils can finally move beyond legacy constraints.
To see the system in action, click here.