Civil Ceremonies
Civil ceremonies are not at all religious and it is not necessary for one or both of the partners to be from the venue’s district. The service can be held at any register office or approved venue in England, Wales or Scotland. When preparing for the service the couple must contact the superintendent registrar where the wedding is taking place. Ceremonies are usually performed on week days between 8am and 6pm, but most register offices are open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm. At least two other people over the age of 18 {16 in Scotland} must be present to act as witnesses and sign the marriage register.
Register office
A register office ceremony is usually quite short {about
20 minutes} and will follow a traditional format, mixed
with music and readings which are agreed in advance
with the registrar. It is up to the couple whether the
groom and best man will be waiting for the bride at the
front of the venue or whether the couple will arrive and
process to the front together. The registrar announces
the couple’s intention to marry and asks if anyone
knows of an impediment they wish to declare.
All civil marriages must incorporate a statutory declaration and contracting statements, recited by both bride and groom. These statements can be in various forms, but the couple should discuss with the registrar their choice of words if they prefer not to use traditional statements. It is also an option for the couple to write their own vows, but this remains at the discretion of the registrar. Once the declaration is over, the bride, groom, registrar and witnesses sign the register and the registrar then declares that the couple is married. The couple is then led out of the venue by the registrar and music is played.
Approved venue
This is a venue that has been licensed for civil marriage
ceremonies. It is normally a stately home or hotel and
the legal requirements are exactly the same as for a register
office. The hours are often a lot more flexible than a
register office, but the marriage should still take place
within the legal times. Notice is given at the couple’s
local registries but, apart from organising for the local
registrar to attend the ceremony, there is no requirement
to give formal notice to the superintendent registrar of
the registration district. Once this is all completed, the
venue can be booked.
Often the ceremony in an approved venue is more relaxed than at a register office and, so long as the registrar agrees, non-religious music and readings can be used as well as the couple being allowed to write their own vows. These vows must go along with the statutory declaratory and contracting words that are legally required to be said by the bride and groom.
Humanist ceremony
This is a non-denominational celebration of a couple’s
love which often takes place in a garden or marquee and
is completely dictated by the couple who may write
every word of the ceremony. The ceremony, however, is
not legally binding so a separate ceremony in a register
office will have to take place as well.
Like a church wedding, a civil ceremony should also have an order of service or order of the day which can be given to guests at the beginning to guide them through the proceedings. There are, however, no religious references allowed in a civil ceremony so hymns are not permitted. Therefore, any other types of music are allowed in the service, but check to make sure there are no religious references in them. Music is normally played as the guest arrive and are seated, during the signing of the register and as the couple leave. The superintendent registrar must agree all music before the ceremony.
If the couple wishes, a service of prayer and dedication may follow a civil ceremony in order to add a religious element to the marriage. This does not have to be on the same day as the ceremony, but it usually is. This is a perfect solution to any problems that have been incurred when trying to book a church such as divorce and most ministers will agree to a service of blessing. There are no legal requirements or set fees for this service and it will be fairly brief with the minister addressing the couple and saying prayers in order to bless the marriage.
Civil partnerships
The registration of these relationships became legal in
December 2005. They are not ‘marriages’ in the legal sense
of the word, but they are a legal recognition of gay and
lesbian relationships which enables couples to have the
same legal rights as a heterosexual married couple.
These rights include pension rights, house ownership,
inheritance issues and making next-of-kin decisions
in hospital.
A civil partnership ceremony can be held in a register office or any other licensed venue in the UK. There is no specific ceremony, but the partners sign a document before a registrar and two witnesses, and music, readings and vows can be included. Again, the registrar must approve all choices and nothing must be of a religious nature.
