How to Make a Wedding Legal

As a former Registrar, Sue has the experience and knowledge to assist and guide you through the entire process!  This process is known as a Statutory Marriage, often referred to as a '2 plus 2.' It involves making legal declarations at a register office, 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 your Celebrant ceremony. Alternatively, you can choose to complete the legal paperwork at a later date. 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 that for your special ceremony day!

The approach of legally 'signing on the dotted line' followed by a Celebrant-led wedding ceremony is gaining popularity. In fact, research by 'Hitched' revealed that Celebrant-led ceremonies are one of the most 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 marriages, so please do ensure you contact Sue as soon as possible to enable her to help with this option.

It's also important to note that the legal paperwork doesn't have to be undertaken on the same day as your wedding ceremony. Just as a child's birth is legally registered on a different day to the date they were born.  

You'd  celebrate your wedding anniversary in future years on the date of your ceremony – the day you celebrate with all your family and friends.

*in addition, some register offices may also charge a non-refundable booking fee approx £30