What marriages are legally recognised in the UK?

In England and Wales, a legal marriage can take place at a register office, an approved venue, or a religious building that is registered for marriages. The Church of England and Church in Wales usually require banns to be read or a licence before the ceremony. Since 2021, marriages are recorded on a marriage schedule that is signed on the day, not in a register book. Civil ceremonies cannot include religious content such as hymns or prayers, though poems and non-religious readings are allowed if the registrar agrees. Religious ceremonies on their own, such as a nikah, are only legally binding if they happen in a building registered for marriages with an authorised person present; many couples add a short civil ceremony to ensure legality. Humanist ceremonies are not legally binding on their own in England and Wales, so couples usually add a civil ceremony. In Scotland, weddings can take place almost anywhere agreed with the registrar or celebrant, indoors or outdoors, and religious and belief celebrants, including humanist celebrants, can conduct legal weddings. In Northern Ireland, humanist weddings can be legally binding. Same-sex couples can marry in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014 and in Northern Ireland since 2020. Each religious organisation decides whether it holds same-sex weddings. Marriages abroad that are legal in that country are usually recognised in the UK, but couples should check the local rules and the GOV.UK page for that country.