Often at least a year in the planning, a wedding is traditionally the happiest day in the lives of
those tying the knot.
Some weddings are planned to the smallest detail with military precision, while others are much more relaxed. When it comes to the actual ceremony, there is flexibility, but do be aware that there are also legalities that have to be complied with.
You can find all of the relevant information on the government website:
https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships
And the Citizens Advice Bureau site is also very informative:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/living-together-marriage-and-civil-
partnership/getting-married/
It is important that you understand the basics before contacting the person you would like to
conduct the ceremony for you.
A wedding ceremony is only legally binding if it is conducted by an “approved / authorised
person” – an ordained minister or an official Registrar. The official marriage documents must be signed by this “approved / authorised person”.
Whether you are planning a religious wedding or a civil ceremony, you need to give notice, at the church or Register Office of your choice: the notice period and format may change according to your location, so do check carefully.
A religious wedding can be held in any registered religious building, and a civil ceremony
can be held at a Register Office or any venue that has been approved and licensed by the local council such as a stately home or a hotel.
You must have a minimum of two witnesses at the ceremony and, if it is a religious
ceremony, you need to exchange vows. You do not need to exchange vows if you are having
a civil partnership, but you can if you so choose.
A civil ceremony cannot include any religious content, such as hymns or readings from any
holy book (Bible, Torah etc), but if you wish you can arrange a religious blessing of the
marriage after a civil ceremony.
A ceremony conducted by a Celebrant is not legally binding.
Couples will often have a basic civil ceremony at their local Register Office to legalise their
marriage a few days before the celebrant-led ceremony with their friends and family.
As an ordained minister, I am an “approved / authorised person” and I can therefore conduct wedding ceremonies in any religious building with the permission of the resident minister.
As a celebrant, I can lead a celebration of your coming together in marriage in a ceremony
that will reflect your characters, in any venue of your choosing, as it is not legally binding.
The traditional religious wedding has a set format, but as long as the legal bits are covered,
there is flexibility to create a ceremony that will truly be the happiest day for bride and
groom.
I can guide you through the process to ensure that all the legal boxes are ticked, while
suggesting elements to make the basic traditional ceremony meaningful and unique to you.
And if it is a wedding celebration that you are looking for – your special day is a totally blank
canvas, and can be coloured as you wish!
The ceremony could be on a beach or in woodland; on a boat or in your back garden, and the service can include stories, speeches and music to fit the mood of the day.
You can contact me here to discuss your plans in more detail.
Notes Wedding Enquiries
Please contact me by email in the first instance.
The date should already have been confirmed with the venue, whether this is a church or a
Register Office for the legal marriage ceremony, and for the informal venue for a wedding
celebration if relevant.
I will check my availability, and we will arrange a meeting at your home or at the venue: a
meeting by Zoom or Teams is also possible.
I shall send you some basic information ahead of our meeting.
When we meet, I shall ask you for a lot of information about both bride and groom.
Working together I can then formulate a draft service to incorporate all of the relevant elements.
I shall be in contact with the venue (if relevant) throughout so that things go smoothly on the
day.