Marriage and civil partnership celebration ceremonies

Celebration ceremonies are perfect for couples who:

  • Are planning a celebration at a location that isn't licensed for legal ceremonies
  • Have already had a legal ceremony abroad and wish to have a celebration at home
  • Want to include spiritual or religious rituals that aren't permitted in a legal ceremony  

Please note celebration ceremonies hold no legal status; they will not result in you being legally married or having formed a civil partnership. They instead provide you the freedom to choose your ceremony location and content without the legal restrictions. 

For couples who also want a legal ceremony, a great option is a two-part ceremony, please see details below. 

Two-part ceremonies

A two-part ceremony offers the best of both worlds, letting you have both your legal ceremony and a celebration ceremony on the same day, at the same venue. 

This option is perfect if you want to include special elements, such as:

  • Handfasting
  • Sand layering
  • Hymns 
  • Prayers, or
  • Other spiritual or religious rituals

It is also ideal for couples wanting to hold their ceremony in a unique spot that hasn't been approved for legal ceremonies, but that is on the grounds of a licensed venue. 

With two-part ceremonies, both the legal and celebration ceremony must take place at the same venue, on the same day, one directly after the other. 

Stand alone celebration ceremonies

A stand alone celebration ceremony is the perfect option if you're not planning on including a legal ceremony. A great choice for couples who are already married or in a civil partnership, or for those planning to hold their legal ceremony at a separate venue or on a different day.

For example, you might have a small legal ceremony at a register office and a larger celebration ceremony at another venue or on a different day. 

Fees

Here you can find fees for celebration ceremonies. 

Making a booking

You can book your ceremony up to three years in advance by calling the Ceremonies Hub on 0345 60 80 198. Fees are payable in full at the time of booking. 

Privacy notice

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