Emma's answers to Friends performing the ceremony

Question

My partner and I have seen on the internet that anyone can be ordained as a minister to marry people. We thought it would be really good to get a friend to do this and perform the ceremony. Is this legal in the UK?

Answer

I'm afraid it wouldn't be legal in this country. All marriage ceremonies must take place in the presence of a superintendent registrar or an authorised person (for example, an authorised vicar or priest).

It isn't possible for someone to become a vicar, priest or registrar simply to enable them to perform a friend's wedding. In fact, many of the schemes advertised in America are not legal and several cases have come to light recently when marriages have been declared invalid after the event.

The only way you can ensure you are legally married in this country is to have either a civil ceremony in a licensed building performed by a superintendent registrar or a religious service in a church or religious building conducted by a vicar or priest.

Emma x