Which Type of Wedding Ceremony
When deciding on a type of wedding ceremony, most couples make the choice between a religious ceremony on the one hand, and a civil ceremony in a register office or other licenced venue on the other. Of course this choice is driven by a number of factors including your individual religious beliefs or the availability of venues in your area, however many couples are surprised to find out that there are other options.
Non Legal Wedding Ceremonies
No I don’t mean breaking the law! Many couples choose to have a small register office ceremony either before or after the big day, and then have their main ceremony delivered by a civil celebrant in their venue of choice surrounded by all of their family and friends.
10 Reasons to Consider a Non Legal Wedding Ceremony
- You can choose your own celebrant to conduct the ceremony and meet them beforehand to plan things. In contrast, a regular civil ceremony is usually conducted by somebody you’ve never met who has only arrived around 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.
- You can write your own vows and promises with complete freedom.
- You can speak as little or as much as you want during the ceremony and even say your vows together.
- There are no restrictions around when you can take photographs or video during the ceremony.
- You can choose any readings or music you like. Normal civil ceremonies do not permit anything that is religious in nature.
- Couples who have a small register office wedding either before or after their main non legal ceremony often feel more relaxed knowing that the legalities have already been taken care of (or soon will be).
- Your ceremony can include something different such as a unity candle or handfasting.
- You can have your wedding anywhere indoors or outdoors – you only need the landowner’s permission.
- A legal wedding must have an open doors policy (in case someone wished to object) and a notice outside the venue giving details of the wedding. Non legal ceremonies have no such rules.
- You don’t have to use your full names and can simply use first names or even nicknames if you prefer.
Locket Ceremonies can plan and deliver a wedding ceremony to your exact wishes. Just contact us to arrange a free initial consultation.
My daughter was hoing to get married in October this year but due to the virus this is still possible but with reduced numbers. As she and her partner have grandparents who may not be here for a rearranged wedding, she was hoping to have a non-legal ceremony for a few friends and family to bring everyone together and rearrange a proper wedding next year. Would this be possible and could she have the ceremony at her home surrounded by family/friends. We live on the wirral and would be grateful for any help/information.
Many thanks for your enquiry and I’m sorry your daughter’s wedding plans are being affected by COVID-19. You would be able to have a non-legal ceremony at home providing numbers are restricted in accordance with the government’s current advice. The government’s advice seems to be constantly changing in relation to weddings and social gatherings so it’s worth keeping a regular check on their website at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships#guidance-for-venue-managers
It’s also important to be aware that the guidance can vary by area and some parts of the country are being put back under lockdown, so it’s also important to check with your local authority.
Providing numbers of guests are limited, then non-legal weddings can still take place either at your home, in your garden or at a venue. The wedding itself can be as formal or relaxed as you wish and can contain modern/spiritual or more traditional vows. At Locket Ceremonies, we usually write and conduct the full wedding ceremony for you, but couples can also write their own vows or promises to each other if they so wish. The story of how the couple met and fell in love can also be weaved through the ceremony – making the ceremony totally personal and unique. Like a wedding, a non-legal wedding can contain poems/readings/prayers which can be read by the celebrant conducting the ceremony or by a family member or friend. If a spiritual wedding appeals then a Unity Candle can be lit or a hand fasting can be incorporated into the ceremony. Please feel free to contact me via the contact form at Locket Ceremonies if you require any further information.