Create your perfect Wedding.

In 1994 The laws in the United Kingdom changed, allowing other licensed venues other than registry offices to be used for civil marriage ceremonies. You don’t have to complete the legal aspects of your wedding before a Celebrant led ceremony, but many couples choose to, the day or week before, sometimes on another meaningful date to them. There are certain formalities required by law for your marriage to be legally recognised, learn more about this in Step 3 below.

The first step is to identify your dream location and book your venue. Remember your venue need not be a licenced wedding venue if you are conducting the legal aspect separately at the Register Office (see Steps 3 & 4 below). The main thing is to choose a venue which suits you and the type of wedding you want.

Once you have booked your venue the next step is to research and book your Celebrant. Celebrant availability is the first consideration and, once you have confirmed this and identified a possible Celebrant, a consultation is the next step to confirm they are the right fit for your wedding.

Having chosen your Celebrant, you can then begin building a good relationship with them ahead of your big day and have some input into the content and flow of the ceremony.

You both need to attend the Register Office in the district in which you have had your usual residence for the preceding seven days to inform them of your intention to marry. This is called “giving notice” which means declaring that you are free to marry and requires you to provide certain documents. This notice must be given up to one year before the day of your wedding. 28 clear days must pass before the Registrar’s certificates can be issued and you are able to marry.

This is the legal service at the Register Office where you will exchange legal statements in the presence of two witnesses chosen by you. The Declaratory Words you each say are:

“I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I (your name) may not be joined in matrimony to (partners name)”

And the Contracting words are:

“I call up these persons here present to witness that I (your name) do take thee (partners name) to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)”

These 41 words above – (Plus your names) – are the only legal requirements for marriage.