Who Can Officiate Weddings In The Uk?

In the UK, only a licensed member of the Church or someone registered by the local authority can legally officiate a wedding. This means that, technically, anyone can officiate a wedding in the UK, but to do so legally, they must be ordained by the Church or registered by the local authority. This can be a lengthy process, requiring years of commitment and responsibility. However, couples can have their wedding performed by an unordained friend or family member, provided they validate the marriage at a registry office.

Getting ordained online in the UK

In the UK, marriages are only legally binding if conducted by a licensed member of the Church or someone registered by the local authority. This means that, while you can get ordained online in the UK, your marriage will not be legally binding.

Online Ordination

If you want to get ordained online in the UK, you can visit sites such as Universal Life Church or Open Ministry. The process is free and can be completed in a matter of minutes. You will need to fill out an online form with your personal information, including your name, email address, country, and password. You must be at least 18 years old to become ordained. After submitting the form, you will receive an email with more information, such as the ordination date and links to helpful resources.

Documentation

Most ordination sites will recommend that you purchase an ordination package, which may include items such as an ordination credential and certificates. This documentation can be useful if you plan to officiate a wedding, even if it is not legally binding. The Universal Life Church, for example, offers an international shipping option to receive your ministerial products anywhere in the UK.

Wedding Ceremony

If you plan to officiate a wedding, you can use the resources provided by the ordination website to help you prepare. This may include a wedding ceremony script generator or a guide on how to perform a wedding ceremony.

Legal Marriage

It is important to note that, in the UK, a marriage performed by an online-ordained minister is not legally binding. To make the marriage legal, the couple will need to visit a registry office or have their marriage validated by a licensed member of the Church or a registrar. This can be done before or after the unofficial wedding ceremony.

Choosing an Unofficial Celebrant

More and more couples in the UK are choosing to have a loved one, such as a friend or family member, officiate their wedding. This allows for a more personal and intimate ceremony and gives the couple more flexibility in terms of venue and format. By separating the legal signing of the marriage, couples can have their wedding officiated by an unordained friend or family member in a location of their choice.

The Role of a Celebrant

The role of a celebrant is to work with the couple to create a unique and personalised wedding ceremony that reflects their relationship and values. This may include sharing memories, introducing vows, and declaring the couple as husband and wife (or wife and wife, or husband and husband). It is a tough responsibility to officiate a wedding, and celebrants should be prepared to put in the time and effort to make the day special for the couple.

Getting a friend to officiate your wedding

In the UK, only leaders of the Church and registrars have the power to officiate weddings legally. Being a registrar is a full-time career, so anyone seeking to become one in order to marry a friend would need to apply to work for a local council. The alternative is to become a vicar or priest, but this requires years of commitment and responsibility.

However, if you want a friend to officiate your wedding, all is not lost. Couples in the UK can have their wedding performed by an unordained friend or family member, provided they then validate the marriage at a registry office. This "unofficial" wedding can also take place anywhere, unlike legally binding weddings, which must take place in a registry office, a registered religious building, or a location approved by the local authority.

If you're asking a friend to officiate your wedding, it's important to remember that the ceremony will have no legal effect unless you register your marriage. You'll also need to register your intent to marry with your local register office at least 28 days before the wedding.

You might ask your friend to take inspiration from humanist wedding ceremonies, which are non-religious and all about having a meaningful day for the couple. In a humanist wedding, there's no set script, and the order of the day is completely personal. The ceremony may include details about how the couple met, poems they like, or vows they've written to each other. If you're conducting a friend's wedding, be sure to have a long chat about what the couple wants from the day.

Examples of friends officiating weddings

• A friend who was dubbed "the rabbi figure" by the couple married them (unofficially) in a field, with the couple standing in the middle of a circle formed by their favourite people.
• A friend who had lived with the couple officiated their wedding, making it a much more personal experience and enabling them to have the outdoor ceremony they wanted.
• A friend who had known the couple for almost a decade married them in Australia in front of only 20 guests, creating the relaxed, informal atmosphere the couple wanted.

Getting a celebrant to officiate your wedding

In the UK, a celebrant can be a great option for officiating your wedding. A celebrant can be a friend or family member, or a professional wedding celebrant, and they can help you create a personalised and meaningful ceremony. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're considering having a celebrant officiate your wedding:

Finding the right celebrant

The first step is to find the right celebrant for you and your partner. Consider what type of ceremony you want and find a celebrant who can create a personalised ceremony that reflects your personalities and relationship. You can find celebrants through online directories, wedding planning websites, or word-of-mouth recommendations. It's important to meet with potential celebrants and ask about their experience, style, and how they will work with you to create your ceremony.

Legal requirements

In the UK, marriages are only legally binding if conducted by a licensed member of the Church or someone registered by the local authority, such as a registrar. If you choose to have a friend or family member as your celebrant, you will also need to have a separate legal ceremony, either before or after your celebrant-led ceremony, to ensure your marriage is legally recognised. This can be a simple process and can be done at a registry office with two witnesses present.

Planning your ceremony

Once you've found your celebrant, work closely with them to plan your ceremony. Celebrants can help you with all aspects of the ceremony, from choosing music and readings to writing your vows. They can also offer guidance on the structure and content of the ceremony, ensuring it reflects your unique love story. Be sure to communicate your vision and any specific requirements or traditions you want to include.

Choosing your location

One of the benefits of having a celebrant officiate your wedding is the flexibility in terms of location. Unlike legal ceremonies, which must take place in licensed venues or approved locations, celebrant-led weddings can be held anywhere, indoors or outdoors, as long as you have permission from the land or venue owner. So, whether you dream of a beach wedding, a ceremony in the woods, or a celebration in your own backyard, a celebrant can make it happen!

Final preparations

In the lead-up to your wedding, stay in close communication with your celebrant to finalise all the details. If you have chosen a friend or family member as your celebrant, consider having a backup plan in case they are unable to perform the ceremony due to unexpected circumstances. It's also a good idea to rehearse the ceremony with your celebrant and wedding party to ensure everyone is comfortable and clear on their roles.

On the day

On your wedding day, relax and enjoy the moment, knowing that your celebrant will guide you through the ceremony. Remember that, with a celebrant, you have the freedom to personalise every aspect of your ceremony, from the readings and music to the exchange of vows and rings. So take this opportunity to create a wedding ceremony that truly reflects your love and commitment to each other.

Getting a registrar to officiate your wedding

If you want to have a registrar officiate your wedding, you must hold your ceremony within 12 months of 'giving notice'. This involves signing a legal statement at your local register office, declaring your intention to get married and including details of the final venue for your ceremony.

The type of ceremony

You can choose to have either a religious or civil ceremony. A religious wedding can take place at any registered religious building, but same-sex couples cannot get married in an Anglican church. An authorised person, such as a religious minister, must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage schedule or document. If there is no authorised person, you'll need to book a registrar. This costs £104.

Civil ceremonies

Civil ceremonies can take place at any venue approved by the local council, such as a stately home or hotel. A registrar must carry out, or be present at, your ceremony. You can book a registrar yourself, or the venue may do this for you. The cost of a registrar is £56 at a register office and £104 at a registered religious building.

What happens during the ceremony

If you're getting married, you must exchange vows. You can discuss any other wording you want with the person carrying out the ceremony. Civil ceremonies can include readings, songs or music, but nothing religious. You can get a religious blessing after a civil ceremony.

After the ceremony

Your signed marriage schedule or document is sent to your local register office, where it's added to the marriage register. After that, you can get your marriage certificate.

Getting a priest to officiate your wedding

In the UK, only leaders of the Church and registrars have the power to officiate weddings legally. This means that a priest can officiate your wedding, but it will need to be a religious ceremony.

Who can officiate a wedding?

Church of England, Catholic, Jewish, Anglican, and Quaker leaders, such as priests, vicars, and rabbis, can all officiate weddings. Other religious leaders are only able to officiate a marriage ceremony if they have applied for a licence.

How to get a priest to officiate your wedding

If you want to get a priest to officiate your wedding, you will need to find a religious leader who is licensed to do so. You can reach out to your local church to ask about the possibility of having a priest officiate your wedding.

The process of becoming a priest

If you want to become a priest yourself to officiate a wedding, it will take several years of education and training. You will need to enrol in a theological institution and begin your training alongside a vicar. After finishing your education, you will be ordained as a deacon and work with a vicar to gain experience. Finally, after about a year, your bishop will ordain you as a priest.

Non-legally binding weddings

It is possible to have a friend or family member who is not a priest officiate your wedding, but this will not be legally binding. You will need to make the wedding legal by visiting a registry office afterward.

Frequently asked questions