Civil Weddings
Coventry Registry Office for civil weddings
What is a civil wedding?
A civil wedding is a wedding ceremony that is recognised by the law, but does not involve any religious elements. Anyone wanting a civil ceremony in England or Wales need to register their intent to marry at each person’s local resistry office. This has to be done at least 22 days before your wedding day, but not more than a year in advance of your wedding date.
For civil venue weddings, once you have chosen a licensed venue, check the availablity of the Registrar at your local reigster office. You need to book them both. Many venues won’t take your booking if you haven’t got a provisional booking with the local Registrar.
Contacting the Registrar
When Contacting your local registry office, you’ll have to provide details about yourself, your partner the venue or location. The registrars’ office will then send out a booking form stating what formal documentation you need to provide when you come to provide ‘notice of marriage’.
You need to arrange a date to come in and see the registrar of the borough that each of you live, ( you both still need to go if you live in the same one) and thhe fee is currently £30 each. You will need to produce some or all of the following documents:
• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Decree Absolute (if divorced)
• Translation of divorce papers
• Proof of address e.g. gas bill
• Dead poll/change of name
• Parental, court or guardian permission (if under 18)
After a few questions about your partner (without them speaking and vice-versa) the notice is then completed by a registrar whilst you are there and you sign it, witnessed by the registrar who then also signs it. This now goes on display for 15 days within the registrar office. Authority for your marriage will then be issued and you are able to get married between 16 days and a year from the day you give your notice.
One of the nice things about a civil wedding is that you can customise your vows making the entire affair more personal than traditional. It is usual to have some readings during the service, however, these must not contain any religious elements or connotations and a copy of them along with details on who is reading them must be given to the Registrar.
Ceremonies tend to last between 15 – 20 minutes but no longer than 30 minutes.
Whist civil weddings usually take place in the local registery office, many couples choose to have their ceremony at an approved venue.
Venues for civil weddings in Warwickshire, England
Moxhull Hall, Lea Marston Hotel, Marston Farm, Grimstock Country House, and Weston Hall Hotel.
Coombe Abbey, Dunchurch Park Hotel, Brownsover Hall, Brandon Hall, and Antsy Hall. Nailcote Hall,
Ettington Park Hotel, Aredcote Manor, The Lord Leycester Hotel, Billesley Manor, and The Charlecote Pheasant Hotel.