For couples embarking on the journey of wedding planning, the sheer amount of information can feel overwhelming. From choosing the perfect venue to navigating guest lists, there’s so much to consider. Whether you’re planning to say “I do” in your hometown or a far-off destination, this guide is here to simplify the process and help support you as you plan the wedding of your dreams.
Step one: location
Choosing a wedding location is the leading factor in decision-making for 80% of engaged couples. Whether it be your local town, the place you grew up, or simply somewhere eye-catching, a civil ceremony grants you the freedom to get married at any licensed venue in the UK, officiated by a local registrar.
We have recently discussed what makes Bath a dream wedding destination; however, it is important to note that regardless of where in the world you end up tying the knot, the registry office local to where you live will still play a crucial role.
Therefore, as part of your venue research, take some time to identify your closest registry office here.
Step two: documents
With your wedding location set and your local registry office identified, you must now ensure that you have the correct documents you will need to ‘give notice’ and make an appointment.
Couples in general will need: the details of your chosen venue, a valid passport, proof of your home address, and any name changes. You can find more specific information regarding how to prove these details on the UK Government’s website but the main thing to note is that these must be the original paper documents and not copies.
If you have previously been married, you will also need documentation to prove that this is no longer the case.
Additionally, for couples in which one individual is not from the UK, you will also need to provide a passport-sized photo of each of you, and proof of your current immigration status. Any documents not in English should be translated.
To avoid any last-minute stresses, we advise that you check exactly what your local registry office will accept before your appointment.
Step three: give notice
Giving notice is a legal statement outlining your intent to get married or form a civil partnership. It typically costs £42 per person and appointments to do so should be made at least 29 days before your ceremony.
The process of giving notice must be done at the registry office local to where you live, regardless of your chosen wedding location, and you must have been resident in that area for at least a week. Therefore, if you and your partner live separately, you may need to give notice individually and at two different registry offices.
If one of you is from outside the UK, you have to give notice together. The only exceptions are: if you both have a British or Irish citizenship, have a settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or an application to the EU Settlement Scheme (made before 30 June 2021) which you’re waiting for a decision on.
Remember to bring your documents!
Step four: get married!
28 days after you have given notice, the registry office will issue your marriage schedule, and you now have up to one year to tie the knot.
A marriage schedule is simply the document that the registrar will bring to your marriage ceremony for you and your partner to sign. It is best to double-check that all the information you gave to your registry office is correct as it is better to amend details now than on your big day.
The registry office local to your wedding location will also play its part, as you will need to book a registrar to officiate your marriage or civil partnership ahead of your big day.
At House of St John’s, we understand how stressful and isolating planning a wedding can be. Despite desiring support, at least 79% of brides end up planning their wedding entirely by themselves. Therefore, our standard package also includes a wedding coordinator, making your big day smooth sailing from this point onwards. Whether the happy couple are from Bath or beyond, we will also advise and guide couples on booking a registrar, or celebrant, through the local registry office here.
With this four-step guide and our support you can tick your way through the planning process instead of dreading it. To find out more about getting married at House of St John’s, please get in touch with the team.