What is the quickest way to get married in the UK?

If you want to marry quickly, the fastest option is a no-frills civil ceremony. You still need to give notice in person, and you must wait the legal minimum time. In England and Wales, that is at least 28 full days after both of you have given notice. In Scotland, it is 29 days, and in Northern Ireland it is also 28 days. These waits cannot be shortened unless there are exceptional circumstances, which are rare.

To speed things up, book your notice appointment as soon as you have lived in your district for 7 days. Have your documents ready, such as passports and proof of address. Choose a register office or approved venue that has availability on your preferred date, and book the ceremony at the same time as giving notice, if possible.

Keep the ceremony simple. You need two witnesses, and you can say the legal words without any extras. You can add a few readings or songs if the registrar agrees, but that may take a little longer to arrange.

If you want a religious ceremony, the timing may depend on banns or a licence, so check with your place of worship. For a humanist ceremony, the rules differ across the UK, so check GOV.UK for the current position. The fastest route is always the simplest one, so avoid adding extra elements that need separate approvals.