Whatever your arrangements, whatever your choice, justplanetevents ensure that your wedding is carried out both in accordance with the law and, just as importantly, your wishes. Whether you wish to have a discreet ceremony carried out as quickly as possible or you are thinking ahead. justplanetevents can guide you through the legal formalities and the many choices available to make your wedding special.

Minimum Age

In all areas of the UK the minimum age you can legally marry is 16. In England, Wales, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Northern Ireland you will need written parental consent if you are under 18. In Jersey parental consent is required if you are under 20. In Scotland, however, you can marry at 16 without the consent of your parents.

Licence Fees

There are fees involved for marriage ceremonies and these will be subject to regional differences. Typically you should expect to pay between £90 - £100 for a Civil Ceremony (this excludes any fees that might be charged if you book an alternative venue), and between £150 - £250 for a Religious Ceremony (variable factors will include items such as the use of church bells, church organist etc.).

Civil Ceremonies

A Civil Ceremony is conducted by a Registrar, either in a Registry Office or an approved venue of your choice in England or Wales that holds a Civil Licence. The ceremony is not allowed to contain religious elements, although you may choose to include music, poetry or readings to accompany the ceremony. You can also discuss the vows you intend to take with the registrar and customise them to suit.

Civil Licence

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a Civil Ceremony can take place in an approved venue (such as a hotel, castle etc.) that holds a Civil Licence. The law states that you cannot marry outside, or in a temporary or movable structure (such as a marquee). A Civil Licence is not required for alternative venues in Scotland, but different laws apply.

Religious Ceremonies

These will differ depending on your faith, but will generally take place in a church, or place of worship. However, in Scotland it is the local Minister who performs ceremonies in alternative venues not the Registrar.

If you are intending to have a Religious Ceremony you will need to contact the Minister of your faith in the locality you wish to be married in.

England and Wales

Civil Ceremonies

A Civil Ceremony can take place in a Registry Office, or a venue that holds a Civil Licence. If you intend to have a Civil Ceremony in England or Wales the procedure is as follows:

• You will both need to give formal notice of your intention to marry to the Registrar in the district that you live in. For example, if one of you live in Surrey and the other in Buckinghamshire you must give notice in your respective local district Register Offices even if you intend to marry outside that district. If you live in the same district you could attend the Registry Office to give notice together, although you do not have to by law. You must have lived in the district for at least 7 full days before you can give notice.
• The notices must be given, in person, by each of the parties to the marriage, and because the notices are legal statements signed by you and the person you are marring – a relative or friend cannot give the notices for you nor may you give notice for each other.
• Once you have given notice you can marry within a year, but not before 16 clear days have passed. Please note that if you do not give notice of marriage on the same day. You will have to wait a minimum of sixteen days after the second notice has been given.
• The Registrar will require certain documents for evidence of your identity and the correct spelling of your name etc. A current UK Passport is a preferred document, however if you have never held a UK Passport  original birth certificates, full driving licences, medical cards are also acceptable.
• Documentation for people intending to marry in the UK coming from abroad vary. Additional evidence of identity will be required in most cases.
• If you have been married before you will need to provide evidence of your divorce, Decree Absolute or in the case of being widow or a widower you will need a copy of your former spouse’s death certificate.
• Before giving the notices a provisional booking can be made with a licensed venue.
• You will also need to book your date with the Registrar in the district you wish to marry. to secure the date and time  and location of the wedding.
• If you are marrying in a district that is different to the one you live in, your local Registrar will issue a Certificate of Authority to Get Married. This must be collected and taken to the Registrar performing the ceremony prior to the wedding taking place.
• On the day you need to make sure you have at least two people to accompany you, witness the marriage and sign the marriage register.

Religious Ceremonies

If you wish to be married by the Church of England or the Church of Wales, you should first speak to the Vicar. If he or she is able to marry you, he or she will arrange for the Banns to be called, three Sundays before the day of your ceremony or for a common licence to be issued. The marriage will be registered by the Vicar and there is usually no need to involve the Superintendent Registrar from the local Register Office.

For details of other Religious Ceremonies you should contact the local Minister or other person in charge of marriages for your faith, as they will differ in procedural requirements.

Northern Ireland

These differ from ceremonies in England and Wales in the following ways:

• You can marry by Registrar's Certificate or by Registrar's Licence.
• You must give notice to your local Registrar's Office and you will be able to marry in 21 days (by Certificate) or 7 days (by Licence).
• If you marry by Licence at least one you should have been living in the area for at least 15 days. Proof of residency is usually required for all marriages in Northern Ireland.
• A Certificate or Licence allows you to marry in the Registry Office, Church or any other approved venue.

For details of Religious ceremonies you should contact the local Minister of your faith. For some faiths the local Registrar may not be involved.

The Law in Scotland is different to the rest of the UK in the following ways:

• You can marry without parental consent at 16.
• You do not need to be resident in the district you intend to get married in.
• A Civil Licence is not required for ceremonies at alternative venues. In theory you can get married anywhere, outside or inside. The local Minister needs to conduct these ceremonies (not the Registrar), so make sure you check for availability and willingness to attend your chosen venue!
• If you choose to be married by a Registrar you will need to attend the Registry Office. The Registrar cannot conduct ceremonies in alternative venues.

The laws for overseas marriages vary greatly please contact justplanetevents to obtain more information and advice on getting married abroad.