I've put together a round-up of the legalities and processes behind the Wedding Ceremony. Here, I've summarised some of the available options and shared some simple steps to book your Civil Wedding Ceremony. And for those seeking an alternative option to the traditional Civil Ceremony, read on to find out a little more about Celebrant-Led Ceremonies.
Different types of Ceremonies
So, to begin with, how do you get married in the UK and what types of ceremonies are involved?
Simply speaking, there are 2 different ways that you can be legally married in the UK: through a religious Ceremony or through a Civil Ceremony.
A religious ceremony can take place at any registered, religious venue- an authorised person, such as a religious minister must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage document. If a qualified, religious figure is not able to sign the register, the help of a registrar would be required.
A civil ceremony can take place at either a registry office or at any venue approved by the local council. A registrar would generally (though not always!) carry out the ceremony, but at the very least must be present, together with two witnesses to sign the marriage register.
That being said, there are other types of ceremonies that you can choose to have for your Wedding, though they may not be legally binding. A Wedding Ceremony can also be led by a Celebrant... but more on that later!
Where can you get married?
For a legal, civil ceremony, you must have your Wedding at an approved venue. With over 130 approved venues in Essex alone; I’m sure you can find somewhere that fits your personality and suits your style.
There are no longer limitations on exactly where the ceremony needs to take place, providing it takes place within the grounds of an approved venue (it used to be required that the ceremony took place under an approved structure, or in a building). So, once you choose your venue, you can let you imagination run free and create your dream ceremony.
For religious ceremonies, unfortunately the outside rules don’t yet apply… though it is expected to follow suit soon.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to hold a non-legal ceremony, you won’t need to choose a registered venue, meaning there is unlimited potential for your Wedding Ceremony! For Celebrant-Led Weddings, you can choose where ever or when ever you want to get married. Just bear in mind that a Civil Ceremony will still be required to make your Marriage legally binding.
If you need and help identifying and choosing your dream Wedding Venue, check out my services to find out a little more about how I can help.
5 steps to arranging your Civil Ceremony
A Civil Ceremony can be as simple or as extravagant as you want it to be… but ultimately only requires 5 easy steps. Here is my guide to arranging your Civil Ceremony!
Step 1: Choose your venue. Provisionally book your date & time & know where you would like to have your ceremony (indoors or outdoors). Remember, your venue needs to be licenced for Civil Ceremonies (if it’s not a Registry Office) & if you choose to have an outdoor ceremony, have a back-up plan for bad weather! It’s worth noting that the Registrar will have the ultimate decision whether to hold the ceremony indoors, if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Step 2: Book the registrar. Two registrars will need to attend your Wedding, one to perform the ceremony & one to register the marriage. Book your registrar through the registry office closest to your venue (you’ll also need to pay a deposit to the registrar, when you do this).
Step 3: Give notice. You will each need to attend an appointment with a registrar in the district that you live- this is where your notice of marriage will be displayed, and isn’t necessarily the district in which you will hold your Wedding. This needs to be done at least 29 days before your Wedding & the ceremony must take place within a year.
Step 4: Finalise your plans. You will complete a ceremony plan, which you'll return to the registrar in advance of the Wedding. This gives you the opportunity to tailor your ceremony & make it more personal to you, by choosing which version of the Wedding vows you wish to use, any readings to be read & music that you wish to play. You’ll also need two witnesses, who will sign the register with you. You’ll also need to pay the balance at this time.
Step 5: Enjoy your Wedding! The registrar will arrive around 30 minutes before the ceremony & speak to each of you (usually individually) to confirm the details on the register. They will also be there to guide you, prompt you & encourage you through your ceremony, so you can relax & enjoy the moment!
With thanks to essex.gov.uk for your hard work & support in helping our Essex Civil Ceremonies run smoothly!
But if you’re looking for a little more freedom and personalisation in your marriage ceremony, there are some great options available to you… read on to find out more!
Making your Ceremony personal to you
You can personalise your Civil Wedding Ceremony in so many ways, for example through your venue, your décor, ceremony readings and music. Involve your closest family and friends in your Wedding Ceremony to make it an extra special occasion. Just remember to check with your venue on décor, as there may be some restrictions and you’ll need to run all readings and music choices past your registrar in advance.
If you choose to have a Celebrant-led ceremony, then the world truly is your oyster! You can choose which themes, ceremonies, readings or music that you want, to really make your ceremony one of a kind. Speak to your Celebrant if you’re stuck for ideas… they'll help you to create a ceremony that's perfect for you. But if you require expert help developing your ideas and creating your dream, personalised Wedding, contact me to discover a range of Wedding Planning support.
Celebrant-Led Ceremonies
Using the services of a Wedding Celebrant, is a wonderful way to have a truly unique and personalised Celebration for your Wedding Day.
In case you’re wondering who a Celebrant is… they are someone who performs and officiates ceremonies such as Weddings, vow renewals and baby naming ceremonies etc.
The beauty of a Celebrant-Led Wedding, is that you really can let your dreams run wild! If you dream of getting married beneath the stars, on a beach, under the canopy of a beautiful forest or even in your family home, a Celebrant-Led Wedding is ideal for you. They aren’t limited to licenced venues or times and don’t need to follow the rules of a registrar, which means they can officiate a much more bespoke ceremony, tailored exactly to you.
A Celebrant can incorporate religious elements into your Wedding if you choose- if you and your partner are from different religious or cultural backgrounds, you could incorporate elements of both. Alternatively, a Celebrant-Led Ceremony can be completely non-religious. The focus is for a heartfelt ceremony with the love of the couple taking centre stage.
You will also have the chance to choose your Celebrant, so take the opportunity to really get to know them, and for them to understand you, your values and your Wedding vision. This will mean that you can have absolute creative freedom over your Wedding ceremony and your ceremony will be written, just for you.
Currently, a Celebrant-Led Wedding is not legally binding, so you will still need to register your marriage with a registrar through the usual channels at a registry office either before or after your Wedding.
There are many wonderful Celebrants here in Essex, so why not talk to any one of them to find out a bit more about a Celebrant-Led ceremony. Ceremonies by Ruth, is one of our area’s greatest treasures and a wonderful Celebrant to lead your Wedding ceremony! To find out more about how Ruth can support your Wedding Celebrations, visit her website. And if you need help sourcing the perfect Celebrant or planning your big day, contact me for help and support.
If you’re looking to plan your own, unique Wedding in Essex and the surrounding areas, you too can experience the perfect Wedding Day with the help, support & guidance of a professional Wedding Planner.
I can help you to unravel your ideas, develop you dreams & bring your Wedding vision to life. Connecting you with the very best and most trusted, local Wedding Professionals to craft your day; I can help you to create a more sustainable Wedding, without compromising on the style, elegance & luxury of your event.
With luxury & dedicated Wedding Planning support, you can enjoy a fun, relaxing & stress-free Wedding Planning Journey. You can also rest assured that every detail will be taken care of and your journey from start to finish will be in the safest hands.
No matter where you are in your Wedding Planning journey, I can offer support and guidance to help you achieve your perfect Day. To learn more about the Wedding Planning services available to you, follow the links below or contact me to discover how I can help.
