Ask
Sadie - The Ceremony
approved civil venue
Q. I've found the perfect venue for our wedding. How do we go about getting it licensed for wedding ceremonies if it's not already been approved?
A. The procedure to get licences is relatively easy, but it involves repeated visits by officials to ensure that the venue can be safely registered, and even then there's no guarantee.
You'll need to get in touch with the local authority where the venue is situated. They will arrange for the Superintendent Registrar and the Head of Department to visit the site and make an assessment. It's possible that Health and Safety and/or the Fire Department might want to visit as well before a decision is made. There is a (substantial!) fee to be registered, depending on how large the venue is, whether it meets all standards, etc.
Civil marriage ceremonies are performed by the superintendent registrar of the district you intent to marry in. Click here for more information on civil marriage ceremonies.
For more information, call the Marriages Section of the Registrar General for England and Wales on 01704 569 824.
can we marry in our garden?
Q. We'd like to have a civil marriage ceremony in my parent's backyard, but have heard that this isn't possible. Where ARE we allowed to be married by civil ceremony?
A. There are two types of legal marriage ceremonies in the UK - religious and civil. A religious ceremony must take place in a church, but civil ceremonies are a bit more flexible.
The Marriages Act (1994) has permitted civil marriages to take place outside the register office. Other venues can now be licensed to allow civil ceremonies to be performed there. There are now thousands of registered venues throughout the UK where civil marriages can be performed. There are, however, restrictions on "approved premises", as they are officially called. Licenses will NOT be granted to:
1. Private residences or buildings.
2. Open spaces like parks or fields.
3. Mobile premises like boats or planes.
4. Premises where there is a licensed bar in the ceremony room.
5. Premises which have any religious connection, past or present. No religious content whatsoever is allowed during the ceremony (hymns, bible readings, etc.).
It is not possible to get married by civil ceremony outdoors anywhere in the UK, contrary to what we see in the newspapers and on television. For a list of all the approved premises in the UK, call the Office For National Statistics on 0151 471 4458.
blessing ceremony
Q. We are having a civil ceremony, but would like to have a wedding blessing later on. Can you explain what's involved?
A. A blessing is a relatively simple procedure, and often is performed as the marriage ceremony without the legal bits (the published banns and the signing of the register). As each church differs slightly, you'll need to speak with your vicar about arranging things, and finding out whether or not you can insert some personal touches into the blessing ceremony. Simply contact him and tell him what you'd like to do. He'll point you in the right direction!
upbeat civil ceremony songs
Q. We're having a civil ceremony and would like some upbeat music to spice up our ceremony. Any ideas?
A. Choosing music is such a personal thing. You can never seem to think of an appropriate song, but when you hear it, you just know it's THE ONE! Here are some of our faves:
1. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours, Stevie Wonder
2. Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, Andy Williams
3. You and Me Always, The Wannadies
4. Lovely Day, Bill Withers
5. Theme from "Happy Days" - these days are ours...
6. We Are In Love by Harry Connick Jr
7 . Fiesta by The Pogues
8. Get Down Tonight by KC & The Sunshine Band
9. Dance To The Music by Sly & The Family Stone
10. You're The One That I Want, from "Grease"
giving the bride away
Q. My father died a few years ago and I have no male relatives. Can I ask a female relative or friend to give me away or must it be a male friend?
A. Although the bride is traditionally escorted down the aisle by her father, there are no specific ettiquette rules that say this must be the case. I think it's a great idea to have a female relative give you away. Many cultures see the bride escorted down the aisle by both parents or close family members in leiu of their parents. If your wedding is not particulary traditional, you could get away with a friend giving you away. There is also no rule against coming down the aisle on your own. After all, it is your decision to enter into this union. In any event, discuss it with your superintendent registrar or vicar before you ask anyone to do the honours.
approved civil venue
Q. I've found the perfect venue for our wedding. How do we go about getting it licensed for wedding ceremonies if it's not already been approved?
A. The procedure to get licences is relatively easy, but it involves repeated visits by officials to ensure that the venue can be safely registered, and even then there's no guarantee.
You'll need to get in touch with the local authority where the venue is situated. They will arrange for the Superintendent Registrar and the Head of Department to visit the site and make an assessment. It's possible that Health and Safety and/or the Fire Department might want to visit as well before a decision is made. There is a (substantial!) fee to be registered, depending on how large the venue is, whether it meets all standards, etc.
Civil marriage ceremonies are performed by the superintendent registrar of the district you intent to marry in. Click here for more information on civil marriage ceremonies.
For more information, call the Marriages Section of the Registrar General for England and Wales on 01704 569 824.
can we marry in our garden?
Q. We'd like to have a civil marriage ceremony in my parent's backyard, but have heard that this isn't possible. Where ARE we allowed to be married by civil ceremony?
A. There are two types of legal marriage ceremonies in the UK - religious and civil. A religious ceremony must take place in a church, but civil ceremonies are a bit more flexible.
The Marriages Act (1994) has permitted civil marriages to take place outside the register office. Other venues can now be licensed to allow civil ceremonies to be performed there. There are now thousands of registered venues throughout the UK where civil marriages can be performed. There are, however, restrictions on "approved premises", as they are officially called. Licenses will NOT be granted to:
1. Private residences or buildings.
2. Open spaces like parks or fields.
3. Mobile premises like boats or planes.
4. Premises where there is a licensed bar in the ceremony room.
5. Premises which have any religious connection, past or present. No religious content whatsoever is allowed during the ceremony (hymns, bible readings, etc.).
It is not possible to get married by civil ceremony outdoors anywhere in the UK, contrary to what we see in the newspapers and on television. For a list of all the approved premises in the UK, call the Office For National Statistics on 0151 471 4458.
blessing ceremony
Q. We are having a civil ceremony, but would like to have a wedding blessing later on. Can you explain what's involved?
A. A blessing is a relatively simple procedure, and often is performed as the marriage ceremony without the legal bits (the published banns and the signing of the register). As each church differs slightly, you'll need to speak with your vicar about arranging things, and finding out whether or not you can insert some personal touches into the blessing ceremony. Simply contact him and tell him what you'd like to do. He'll point you in the right direction!
upbeat civil ceremony songs
Q. We're having a civil ceremony and would like some upbeat music to spice up our ceremony. Any ideas?
A. Choosing music is such a personal thing. You can never seem to think of an appropriate song, but when you hear it, you just know it's THE ONE! Here are some of our faves:
1. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours, Stevie Wonder
2. Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, Andy Williams
3. You and Me Always, The Wannadies
4. Lovely Day, Bill Withers
5. Theme from "Happy Days" - these days are ours...
6. We Are In Love by Harry Connick Jr
7 . Fiesta by The Pogues
8. Get Down Tonight by KC & The Sunshine Band
9. Dance To The Music by Sly & The Family Stone
10. You're The One That I Want, from "Grease"
giving the bride away
Q. My father died a few years ago and I have no male relatives. Can I ask a female relative or friend to give me away or must it be a male friend?
A. Although the bride is traditionally escorted down the aisle by her father, there are no specific ettiquette rules that say this must be the case. I think it's a great idea to have a female relative give you away. Many cultures see the bride escorted down the aisle by both parents or close family members in leiu of their parents. If your wedding is not particulary traditional, you could get away with a friend giving you away. There is also no rule against coming down the aisle on your own. After all, it is your decision to enter into this union. In any event, discuss it with your superintendent registrar or vicar before you ask anyone to do the honours.
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