What are the rules for a wedding ceremony in the UK?

In England and Wales, you both give notice in person at your local register office, usually where you have lived for at least the last 7 days. Notice must be given at least 28 full days before the ceremony, and the wedding must take place within 12 months. You need two witnesses. The legal ceremony can happen at a register office, an approved venue, or a religious building registered for marriages. Church of England and Church in Wales weddings usually need banns read or a licence. Since 2021, marriages are recorded in a schedule signed on the day, not a register book. Civil ceremonies cannot include religious content like hymns or prayers, but poems and non-religious readings are fine if the registrar agrees. Since 2022, approved venues can hold civil ceremonies outdoors within their grounds. A religious ceremony alone, like a nikah, is only legally binding if it happens in a registered building with an authorised person present. Many couples add a short civil ceremony to be safe. Humanist ceremonies are not legally binding on their own in England and Wales, so check GOV.UK for the current position.

In Scotland, you each submit a marriage notice to the registrar for the district where the wedding will take place, at least 29 days before, though registrars advise 10 to 12 weeks. Weddings can happen almost anywhere agreed with the registrar or celebrant, indoors or outdoors. Religious and belief celebrants, including humanist celebrants, can conduct legal weddings. You need two witnesses aged 16 or over. In Northern Ireland, notice is given to the registrar in the district where the wedding takes place, at least 28 days before. Humanist weddings can be legally binding there. Same-sex couples can marry across the UK, and each religious organisation decides whether it holds same-sex weddings. You do not have to change your name when you marry. Marriages abroad that are legal in that country are usually recognised in the UK; check the local rules and the GOV.UK page for that country.