Civil weddings Q&A

We answer the important questions about tying the knot in a civil wedding ceremony

Q: Can we have a humanist service after a civil ceremony?

Legally, you are allowed to marry in a register office and then have a humanist service of blessing afterwards. This is a non-legal ceremony in which you say your own secular vows and although it isn¹t legally binding, it does have the advantage of being able to take place anywhere. Take a look at guide to humanist weddings or visit humanism.org.uk.

Q: We are both big football fans – can we get married at our football team's stadium?

A: Even if you dream of exchanging your vows under the hallowed goal netting at your local football club, you sadly can’t at the moment. In England and Wales, it is currently illegal to get married outdoors, as licensed venues have to be permanent and covered. However, many football stadiums have licensed club rooms where couples can tie the knot and then have photos on the pitch afterwards. Maybe you could have a football strip dress code for guests too?! Take a look at our guide to sporting venues.

Q: We’d love our friend Nick to act as our celebrant and perform the wedding ceremony in our lounge… is this allowed?

A: Asking a non-registrar friend to conduct the ceremony and using a non-licensed venue won’t make you legally married as a result. However, all is not lost as you could have this DIY version of a wedding as long as you follow certain protocol first. If you've got your heart set on a really special venue or location which isn't licensed, you can have a low-key register office ceremony first, before holding a ceremony in your dream location. This could either be a Humanist ceremony or a custom-made DIY ceremony, depending on your beliefs, but it basically allows you to have the ceremony you want without worrying about the legalities.

Q: How can I find out if my ideal venue is licensed?

A: The best place to find fabulous licensed venues is in the venues channel in our supplier’s directory. Alternatively, if you have a particular venue in mind, give them a call or look online for information. For a full list of legally approved premises, call the General Register Office on 0151 471 4817 or visit gro.gov.uk/gro/content to request a list.

Q: We live in Northern Ireland. Where can we hold a civil ceremony here?

A: Couples in Northern Ireland can get married in a registrar's office or at an approved venue. Alternatively, you can apply for a temporary approval for a civil marriage to be conducted at a place of your choice, such as your own home. To do this, you should contact the registrar for the district in which the marriage will take place who will advise you about the fee and the application procedure.

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