Options for your Wedding Ceremony (UK)

There are three main options for getting married in the UK, each with its own set of requirements, traditions, and charm. Whether you picture a simple register office wedding, a bespoke celebration at a licensed venue, or a grand church ceremony, there’s a marriage option to suit every couple’s preferences and circumstances. We have outlined each in turn below.

Church Weddings

For many, getting married in a church holds deep religious and cultural significance. If you or your partner have a strong connection to a particular faith, a church wedding can provide a meaningful setting for your vows. You will often find that you need to have a connection to the church (such as living or growing up in the parish), and you may need to be a member of the congregation, or have been christened or baptized. If you are holding a church wedding, you will also need another venue to hold your reception. Consider the travel time from church to venue, and maybe even provide transport for your guests. Church weddings can cost anything from £500 and churches will set their own prices, so it’s worth speaking to the vicar or priest to confirm.

Register Office Wedding

Register office weddings are typically the most straightforward and cost-effective way of getting married, with the most basic of ceremonies (you plus two witnesses) costing as little as £50 and requiring just 28 days’ notice. However, register offices also have lots of different options for larger ceremonies in some lovely spaces, and can conduct both civil ceremonies (marriage) and civil partnerships. Like a church wedding, it is likely that you will need to find another venue to host your reception, so some couples choose to marry at a register office the same day that they celebrate, while others may marry days or even weeks before the celebrations, and you may (or may-not) hold a celebrant-led ceremony at the venue where you hold your reception.

Licenced Venue

Register offices can also conduct civil ceremonies and civil partnerships at licenced venues such as The Ridgeway Barns, allowing you to marry in a setting that reflects your personality and style ~ whether it’s a lavish celebration or a more intimate gathering. The process is similar to that of a register office wedding, but the register office will arrange for a registrar and celebrant to attend the venue to officiate your ceremony (typically costing £600 – £800). Although there are some restrictions on what can be said, read and played in such ceremonies (essentially, nothing religious), there is a huge amount that you can do to personalise your ceremony, from the readings and music played, to the vows you exchange.

Celebrant-led Ceremonies

Celebrant-led ceremonies are not legally binding but are a great option if you’ve already exchanged your vows and still want a degree of formality to your reception. They give you the freedom to celebrate however you like, from hand-fasting and sand-mixing ceremonies to the weird and wonderful ~ the only restriction is your imagination! Remember, you will still need a legal ceremony for your vows to be officially recognised.

Whatever option you choose, the most important thing is that your wedding reflects your personal style and values. Each option offers a different experience, from the simplicity of a register office, to the unique ambiance of a licensed venue, to the spiritual connection of a church. And no matter where you get married, remember that your day is about celebrating your love and commitment to one another.

Special thanks to @jackstockerphoto, @storyboxfilmsuk and @davidscammelphotography for these lovely images.