January 30, 2012 at 1:55 PM

Wedding Ceremonies and Civil Partnerships

So, you’re engaged, or have decided to make a lifetime commitment – congratulations. As you’re probably finding, there is a lot to plan and organise in the run up to your big day. However, in terms of the ‘serious bit’ ie: the commitment you have chosen to make to one another, the ceremony itself is very important. Let’s take a look at the options…….

The Church of England

 Who can marry?

 Men and women who are 16* or over and either single or widowed. Many ministers are sympathetic and will also allow the marriage of divorcees, but some will suggest a civil ceremony and a blessing. Male: female couples only.        

How to apply

The marriage must be preceded by one of the following:

• Publication of banns
• Common license
• License from Archbishop of Canterbury
• Superintendent Registrar’s authority

Publication of banns is the most usual method, however a visit to the parish minister will establish which of the above applies to you.

The Ceremony itself

 Ceremonies differ, but generally follow this pattern:

Bride enters to Processional music

Hymn

Vicar asks if anyone knows of a reason why the marriage should not take place     

Vicar asks who is giving bride away*

Vicar passes brides right hand to groom

Bride’s father sits

Groom makes marriage vows

Bride makes marriage vows*

Vicar blesses ring(s)

Groom gives ring

Bride may give ring

Vicar announces the couple are man and wife

Bride and Groom kiss

Sermon

Hymns

Holy Communion**

Signing of Register

Exit to Recessional music

 

** There are three different forms of words for the ceremony, enabling you to follow as much tradition as you like, but also allowing you to opt out of ‘to obey’, of being ‘given away’ and of taking communion should you wish.

The Catholic Church

Who can marry?

 Male: female couples, neither of whom have been divorced, at least one of whom is Catholic. Each party must agree that they choose to marry freely, intend to remain together for life, intend to remain faithful and intend to have one or more children: questions which will be asked of them in the marriage ceremony.

How to apply

The ceremony will generally take place in the bride or groom’s parish. If not, you will need written authority from your local priest to marry elsewhere.

The priest will organise the publication of banns and will expect you to attend a number of meetings in which the nature of Catholic marriage will be outlined.

If you are not both Catholic the priest may apply for a Dispensation to Marry, issued by the Catholic Church.

The Ceremony itself

There are two different ceremonies. If both parties are Catholic it is usual for the marriage vows to make up a part of the Mass service, with the bride and groom, plus any Catholic members of the congregation, taking communion. If one of the partners is not Catholic, or the couple wants a shorter ceremony, it does not form part of a Mass.

The Civil Marriage Ceremony

Who can marry?

Men and women who are 16* or over and either single, widowed or divorced. Male: female couples only.

How to apply

The Registrar must obtain an Authority to marry you, which is organised by both partners giving Notice of Marriage. This states the following:

• Name
• Age
• Marital Status
• Address
• Occupation
• Nationality
• Intended marriage venue

Your Notice of Marriage is valid for 12 months.

The Ceremony itself

You have a high degree of flexibility with a civil ceremony. For starters, you can choose to marry in a Register Office, either your local one or another, or licensed venue, of which there are over 3,000 nationally. You are able to tailor your marriage vows to be very specific to the two of you and you may choose readings and music, provided they are non religious and have been approved by your Registrar.

Take care to ask how many guests the venue is licensed to hold in the room where your ceremony will take place.

Just prior to the ceremony, the Registrar meets with the bride and groom separately to ensure the information on the Authority is correct.

In terms of format, the ceremony is generally as follows:

Bride enters to Processional music

Registrar explains nature of marriage in this country

Bride and Groom asked to declare they are free to marry

Exchange of civil vows

Groom gives ring

Bride may give ring

Signing of Register

Exit to Recessional music

The Civil Partnership Registration/ Ceremony

Who can enter into a Civil Partnership?

 Same sex couples, of 16* or above, neither party of which is in a civil partnership or marriage. Civil  Partnership gives each the status of civil partner. It is not the same as marriage, but aims to give civil partners the same rights and responsibilities as married partners.

How to apply

As with civil marriages, the Registrar will need to obtain an Authority to perform the Registration, which is organised by both partners giving notice of their intention to register a Civil Partnership in their local Register office(s).

If the Registration is to take place outside the area(s) in which you live, you will be required to organise the Registration and venue in advance of giving notice, as you will need to state the date and place of Registration on the forms.

The Registration/ Ceremony itself

A Civil Partnership is officially completed once both parties have signed the Civil Partnership document in the presence of witnesses and their Registrar. There is no obligation to have a ceremony at all, however many couples are choosing to have one, in order to make their day special for everyone.

You can be as flexible as you like with a Civil Partnership Ceremony, provided no part of it is in any way religious. As with civil marriage, you can choose to marry in a Register Office, either your local one or another, or licensed venue, of which there are over 3,000 nationally. You are able to tailor any vows you wish to make to be very personal and/or you can ask your Registrar for suggested wording.

Take care to ask how many guests the venue is licensed to hold in the room where your ceremony will take place.

A sample Civil Partnership ceremony might run as follows:

Couple enters to Processional music

Registrar welcomes couple and guests

Registrar asks if anyone knows of any impediment to the Civil Partnership

Couple exchange vows

Each partner repeats ‘I declare that I know of no legal reason why we may not register as each others civil partner. I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other’

Signing of Civil Partnership Schedule

Registrar declares couple as ‘Partners in Law’

Couple exits to Recessional music

 

The above gives an outline of the basics of the most common ceremonies in the UK however if you would like further advice or information about the ceremonies above, other faith or humanist ceremonies, marrying a non-UK national, weddings abroad etc, please comment on this post or call 01442 828061 and we will either answer your questions or point you to other, specialised information services.

* 16 and 17 year olds require parental consent.

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