Civil Wedding Ceremony

Despite the fact that a civil wedding ceremony can often be more flexible than religious ones in terms of location, music and readings there are still rules that can't be broken.

Premises

A venue must be open to the public so you cannot have a licence for a private residence. It must also be 'suitable solemn' so a nightclub is out. It must be indoors so a wedding cannot take place in the open air, although some venues with covered terraces or permanently fixed pergolas are licensed for ceremonies.

Dates

You can only officially set the date of a civil ceremony one year in advance. Registrars can make a provisional booking before this date.

Legal requirements

You must be over 16 years of age (under 18's need parental consent)

you must be free to marry and cannot be related

If you have been married before you must take proof that the marrage has ended.

You must have two witnesses.

Documents

When you visit the regestrar to 'give hotice' of your marriage you will need to take your birth certificate or passport. If you are under 18 you will need written consent from your parent or guardian. If you have been married before you will need to show either a Decree Absolute or the death certificate of your former spouse.

The Ceremony

Once the bride has joined the groom th registrar will start the ceremony. He or she will usually make a few opeining remarks to welcome the guests before starting the legal part of the ceremony. The registrar will egin stating that you are in a place santioned for marriage and will ask if anyone wishes to declaan objection.

The registrar will then remind you both of the binding character of the ceremony of marriage before asking you to make your declarations to eachother.

For more information on ceremonies Click civil wedding ceremony