Award-winning Celebrant & Wedding Stylist
A ceremony symbolises the love and commitment you share in the presence of your cherished guests... the legal aspect is formal paperwork!
As a former Registrar, Sue has the experience and knowledge to guide you through EVERY step of the process - it's all part of her unique service!
Giving Notice marks the initial step and it is a requirement for everyone planning to marry, regardless of whether you opt for a Registrar or Celebrant Ceremony. It's an appointment which involves making a legal declaration at a register office, which each of you must complete individually and in person. The cost for a ‘Notice of Marriage’ appointment is £42* per person, and it must be carried out in the district where you currently live. This step is essential to proceed with your marriage and is separate from the actual legal statutory marriage itself.
Legal Statutory Marriage (often referred to as a '2 plus 2') Many couples affectionately refer to this as their “paperwork day” . It involves repeating a few declaratory & contracting words with a Registrar in a register office of your choice, which costs just £56* (plus £12.50 for a legal marriage certificate) and signing a marriage schedule along with two witnesses on any date before/after your Celebrant ceremony. This is held within a simple office environment, rather than a ceremony room, so there's no need to exchange rings or dress up for this (save this for your special ceremony day!).
It's important to point out it’s not essential that legal paperwork is undertaken on the same day as your ceremony. Just as your birth was legally registered on a different day to the date you were born.
Consider how you mark your birthday each year based on the anniversary of your actual birthdate, not the date your birth was officially registered!
Treating marriage similarly means separating the legal registration (often on a different date) from the actual ceremony.
In future years, you'd celebrate your wedding anniversary on the date of your Celebrant ceremony – the day celebrated with all your family and friends will always be the most memorable day! This date will be printed on your ceremony certificate signed with witnesses during your Celebrant ceremony.
When you separate the legal aspect from the celebratory aspect, you’re free to have your ceremony without any restrictions and there are several benefits:
Once the legalities have been completed, you can relax and focus on your big day - wherever you decide to celebrate with all your family and friends!
Reduces stress on your ceremony day
Flexibility on ceremony timing and location (including at licensed wedding venues)
TOTALLY UNIQUE ceremony content including any symbolic/cultural elements you desire
Relaxed about timing changes/delays
Focus entirely on the romance of your day
You'd celebrate your wedding anniversary in future years on the date of your Celebrant ceremony – the day you celebrate with all your family and friends will be the most memorable day! This date will be printed on your ceremony certificate presented in your colour co-ordinated keepsake box.
Signing a calligraphy-styled Ceremony Certificate features in your wedding photographs
The approach of legally 'signing on the dotted line' followed by a Celebrant Style wedding ceremony is gaining popularity. In fact, research by 'Hitched' revealed that Celebrant-led ceremonies are one of the mest popular wedding trends. While this practice is straightforward, Sue completely understands that the legal process may appear complicated, so she will guide you every step of the way!
Register offices have limited availability for statutory marriage appointments (typically held on a weekday morning), so please do ensure you contact Sue as soon as possible to enable her to help with the arrangements.
Fees charged by the Registration Service are subject to increase annually.
*in addition, some register offices may also charge a non-refundable booking fee approx £30
