Location, Location, Location<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a wedding ceremony must occur inside a building<\/a> or \u201ccemented fixture\u201d. Getting married on the lawn outside or under a tree is not a legal possibility. The situation is different in Scotland, where weddings can take place anywhere \u201csafe and dignified\u201d, including outdoor locations, provided the venue has been approved and licensed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou could have a religious ceremony in a registered religious building. Do double check that your ideal church, mosque or temple holds a wedding license \u2013 if not, you will have to host a civil ceremony first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/josh-applegate-141465-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou can get married legally during a civil ceremony at any local authority ceremony room or registry office in the UK. Many local authorities provide ceremony rooms in pretty locations, some with access to a garden where photographs can be taken afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although getting married in a registry office can seem highly unromantic, it is a cheap option as you don\u2019t need to hire another venue and pay for the registrar to travel. Moreover, you can always get the legal bit out of the way and then have a blessing at your ideal location. This way, you don\u2019t need to worry about if your venue has a license \u2013 or if it’s outdoors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe person marrying the couple must be registered by the Registrar General. That is, they must be a superintendent registrar. Otherwise if someone else conducts the ceremony then the registrar must be available to sign the register<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/thomas-william-648868-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere are certain people that must be present to sign the marriage register. These include both partners, two witnesses (who must be over the age of 16), the person who is registering the marriage and – if different – the person who conducted the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weddings\ncan take place by proxy, for example if one of the couple is in hospital or\nserving in the military, but it is important to note that this isn\u2019t legally\nbinding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Timeline<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWith so much else to plan and think about, it could be easy to let a detail like notice of marriage slip by. However without this a wedding ceremony would be marked as void.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/ben-rosett-10614-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt least 29 days before your wedding, you must go to your local register office to declare where and when you are to be married. If you live in a different area from your future spouse, they will have to go their local register office. This can be on a different day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is important that you have lived in a registration district for seven days before giving notice. You will need to produce documents to prove your name, address, date of birth, previous marriages, and nationality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The office will then have\nthe 29 days to find if anyone objects to the marriage. After this, the notice\nof marriage certificate is granted. You then have twelve months to use it and\ntie the knot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wording<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou can add so much to\nyour vows to make them personal. However, there are two sets of phrases that\nmust be included in order to make a wedding ceremony legally binding. You can\nchoose to have them traditional, modern, or simplified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Declaration<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The declaration makes\nsure that there is no reason against your marriage. It\u2019s the \u201cspeak now or\nforever hold your peace\u201d kind of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/jeremy-perkins-271696-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI do solemnly declare\nthat I know not of any lawful impediment why I (\u2026) may not be joined in\nmatrimony to (\u2026).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI declare that I know of no legal reason why I (\u2026) may not be joined in marriage to (\u2026).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Replying \u201cI am\u201d to \u201cAre you (\u2026) free, lawfully, to marry (\u2026)? \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contracting words<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
As with any legal\ncontract, there is a promise to be made. Each partner repeats these words to\nthe other, often with the registrar prompting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/caroline-veronez-131137-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n“I call upon these persons, here present, to witness that I (\u2026) do take thee (\u2026) to be my lawful wedded wife\/husband.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I (\u2026), take you (\u2026) to be my wedded wife\/husband.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or, “I (\u2026) take thee (\u2026) to be my wedded wife\/husband.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Personal touches<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Although you must say the words above, you can say more and add a personal touch<\/a> to your wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt is not a legal requirement to exchange rings, although of course many couples do. You may also choose to read a pre-prepared script of vows \u2013 but you must run the content by your registrar first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/jenny-russell-789398-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nImportantly in a civil\nceremony, there can be no mentions to God. You may however have music or\nreadings with religious connotations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The well-known \u201cfor\nricher, for poorer, in sickness and in health\u201d is not necessary in a civil\nceremony, but it is necessary in Anglican vows\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anglican,\nQuaker and Jewish<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything\nabove applies to civil wedding ceremonies, and to most religious weddings.\nHowever, there are three exceptions to most of those rules in England. These\nare Anglican, Quaker and Jewish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anglican<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nSo long as there is a connection to a church, couples can now marry in a Church of England<\/a> church even if hadn\u2019t been regular attendees. These special qualifying connections include parents or grandparents marrying in the church, one of the couple living in the parish for six months or more (even in the past), or one partner being baptised or confirmed there.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis\nmeans that a lot of the restrictions for civil ceremonies and weddings don\u2019t\nexist. For example, the couple do not have to apply for a notice of marriage certificate\nfrom a registry office, but they have to have their banns read for three\nSundays \u2013 in the parishes of each of the couple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/the-hk-photo-company-610205-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe wording is different, too. There must be a declaration, but this references God. Vows include the sentiment of \u201cto have and to hold\u201d although the couple and their priest can change the exact wording. The exchange of rings is also necessary, are there are various lines that can be said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, same sex couples are not permitted to marry in an Anglican ceremony. However, they can wed in a civil ceremony with the usual restrictions. They can also marry in a religious ceremony if the religion allows it and the building’s registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Quaker<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nIf one or both partners are members of the Society of Friends, or are associated with the Society by attending meetings, then you can have a Quaker wedding<\/a> and a lot of the legal stuff above does not apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could have a religious ceremony in a registered religious building. Do double check that your ideal church, mosque or temple holds a wedding license \u2013 if not, you will have to host a civil ceremony first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get married legally during a civil ceremony at any local authority ceremony room or registry office in the UK. Many local authorities provide ceremony rooms in pretty locations, some with access to a garden where photographs can be taken afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although getting married in a registry office can seem highly unromantic, it is a cheap option as you don\u2019t need to hire another venue and pay for the registrar to travel. Moreover, you can always get the legal bit out of the way and then have a blessing at your ideal location. This way, you don\u2019t need to worry about if your venue has a license \u2013 or if it’s outdoors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The person marrying the couple must be registered by the Registrar General. That is, they must be a superintendent registrar. Otherwise if someone else conducts the ceremony then the registrar must be available to sign the register<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are certain people that must be present to sign the marriage register. These include both partners, two witnesses (who must be over the age of 16), the person who is registering the marriage and – if different – the person who conducted the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weddings\ncan take place by proxy, for example if one of the couple is in hospital or\nserving in the military, but it is important to note that this isn\u2019t legally\nbinding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With so much else to plan and think about, it could be easy to let a detail like notice of marriage slip by. However without this a wedding ceremony would be marked as void.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At least 29 days before your wedding, you must go to your local register office to declare where and when you are to be married. If you live in a different area from your future spouse, they will have to go their local register office. This can be on a different day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important that you have lived in a registration district for seven days before giving notice. You will need to produce documents to prove your name, address, date of birth, previous marriages, and nationality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The office will then have\nthe 29 days to find if anyone objects to the marriage. After this, the notice\nof marriage certificate is granted. You then have twelve months to use it and\ntie the knot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can add so much to\nyour vows to make them personal. However, there are two sets of phrases that\nmust be included in order to make a wedding ceremony legally binding. You can\nchoose to have them traditional, modern, or simplified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The declaration makes\nsure that there is no reason against your marriage. It\u2019s the \u201cspeak now or\nforever hold your peace\u201d kind of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do solemnly declare\nthat I know not of any lawful impediment why I (\u2026) may not be joined in\nmatrimony to (\u2026).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI declare that I know of no legal reason why I (\u2026) may not be joined in marriage to (\u2026).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Replying \u201cI am\u201d to \u201cAre you (\u2026) free, lawfully, to marry (\u2026)? \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with any legal\ncontract, there is a promise to be made. Each partner repeats these words to\nthe other, often with the registrar prompting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I call upon these persons, here present, to witness that I (\u2026) do take thee (\u2026) to be my lawful wedded wife\/husband.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I (\u2026), take you (\u2026) to be my wedded wife\/husband.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or, “I (\u2026) take thee (\u2026) to be my wedded wife\/husband.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although you must say the words above, you can say more and add a personal touch<\/a> to your wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is not a legal requirement to exchange rings, although of course many couples do. You may also choose to read a pre-prepared script of vows \u2013 but you must run the content by your registrar first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Importantly in a civil\nceremony, there can be no mentions to God. You may however have music or\nreadings with religious connotations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The well-known \u201cfor\nricher, for poorer, in sickness and in health\u201d is not necessary in a civil\nceremony, but it is necessary in Anglican vows\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything\nabove applies to civil wedding ceremonies, and to most religious weddings.\nHowever, there are three exceptions to most of those rules in England. These\nare Anglican, Quaker and Jewish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So long as there is a connection to a church, couples can now marry in a Church of England<\/a> church even if hadn\u2019t been regular attendees. These special qualifying connections include parents or grandparents marrying in the church, one of the couple living in the parish for six months or more (even in the past), or one partner being baptised or confirmed there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This\nmeans that a lot of the restrictions for civil ceremonies and weddings don\u2019t\nexist. For example, the couple do not have to apply for a notice of marriage certificate\nfrom a registry office, but they have to have their banns read for three\nSundays \u2013 in the parishes of each of the couple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wording is different, too. There must be a declaration, but this references God. Vows include the sentiment of \u201cto have and to hold\u201d although the couple and their priest can change the exact wording. The exchange of rings is also necessary, are there are various lines that can be said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Importantly, same sex couples are not permitted to marry in an Anglican ceremony. However, they can wed in a civil ceremony with the usual restrictions. They can also marry in a religious ceremony if the religion allows it and the building’s registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If one or both partners are members of the Society of Friends, or are associated with the Society by attending meetings, then you can have a Quaker wedding<\/a> and a lot of the legal stuff above does not apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPeople<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTimeline<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWording<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Declaration<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nContracting words<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPersonal touches<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnglican,\nQuaker and Jewish<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Anglican<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuaker<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/joanna-nix-371834-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/bride-bride-and-groom-ceremony-2253838.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/linda-rose-1072547-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/images.theweddingsecret.co.uk\/magazine\/planning\/legal-wedding-ceremony\/benita-elizabeth-vivin-592652-unsplash.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n