Do you know your ceremony options?
We work hard to ensure that couples understand their options when it comes to this special part of their big day. Did you know there are EIGHT options for your ceremony?
1. Church ceremony
Have your wedding ceremony led by a religious leader.
2. Registrar – SIGNING ONLY at your local office for £50 (takes 8 mins and requires 2 witnesses)
This is a simple signing-only option and encompasses the two legal aspects of the marriage. It is often referred to as a "Statutory signing" or a "2+2" which means you two, plus two witnesses. It takes place in an office at the registration service (you can choose where you do this), and does not have to include your vows and ring exchange, as these are NOT legal aspects of the marriage.
3. Registrar – CEREMONY AT THEIR OFFICES for around £400 (includes the two legal aspects as above, plus a templated ceremony – 15 mins)
The registrars will offer you this first, over and above the statutory signing option (above), but if you just want to do the simple signing, this option costs more money and requires a larger room so you will need to make it clear what you want to do. If you want to have a ceremony there, then of course, this is the option for you.
4. Registrar – AT YOUR VENUE they charge upwards of £800 usually, and this is as above, 15 mins, and is a templated ceremony with your choice of traditional, semi-traditional, or non-traditional wording.
This is currently the most popular option, as many venues will only guide you down this route. Be sure to know your options and book what YOU want for your big day.
5. Celebrant & Registrar – HYBRID ceremony (they open the ceremony and carry out their two legal parts, then leave, and we take over). You pay for two officiant,s which makes it more expensive, and it can feel disjointed, BUT it is possible.
This is great for couples who WANT to do both aspects on the same day, and if this is important to you, then allocating the correct portion of your budget here is key. Many couples prefer to invest in the ceremony that they want, rather than spending last minute on buying unnecessary items, so do think about your priorities and your budget, and allocate accordingly.
6. Celebrant Ceremony – this works alongside options 2 AND 3 (the legal signing at the registration service, and/or the ceremony at their offices too) and as the two legal parts are then completed, you can then have your personal wedding ceremony anywhere, at any time, and completely free of restrictions.
Many of our couples get wed at home, in beautiful gardens, by rivers or lakes, in woodlands, on a beach, in treehouses, hot air balloons, in barns and on farms, and in luxury or landmark buildings. The choice is YOURS.
The ceremony is then written for you and is a bespoke celebration of your marriage. It can have vows, rings, your first kiss, etc, as these are all ceremonial and NOT legal aspects. It is a very special, memorable ceremony and completely unique to you.
7. Commitment Ceremony - this is often required if the couple prefers not to do the legal aspects, and just wants to celebrate their commitment (and possibly intentions to marry in the future).
We have had couples where divorce papers have not been finalised in time, and the legal aspects have therefore not been completed, so as to avoid losing their venue and all that has been booked. We create a ceremony that reflects this stage of their relationship and their clear intentions to marry.
8. Civil Partnership - this is a legal relationship between two people that gives them similar rights and responsibilities to marriage and is carried out by a registrar.
We have created ceremonies to celebrate this, which allow family and friends to celebrate with the couple in the same way a wedding day might then occur.
If you have any questions about any of the options, please do reach out. Two of my team have been registrars, and so we understand how this side works, as well as the celebrant and civil options.
