How does it work? If I want a celebrant led wedding ceremony.

Wedding law has not been updated since 1836. But it is changing.

Three years in the planning, it will be going through parliament this year. https://www.law.com.gov.uk/project/weddings

In the meantime you can have a celebrant led ceremony by attending the registrars simply to complete the lawful requirements of signing paperwork and giving notice. Simply the same as a birth or death, you attend the registrars to register your marriage. Then you can hold your celebrant led wedding ceremony anywhere you like.

Statutory requirements are:

Giving notice of intention to marry.

This is to make public your forthcoming marriage or civil partnership, to ensure no one sees a lawful reason why you should not marry and confirms you are legally granted the permission to marry.

When you give notice there has to be 28 days before your wedding ceremony can take place, and you have to hold your ceremony within 12 months. Notice must be given in the district where you live.

When giving notice a non refundable booking fee is required to cover administration fees.

Your ceremony.

When looking at the ceremony fees for you will see the various fees for different times and different days. Note: as a celebrant I have one standard fee no matter what day or time. I only have your ceremony on that day. Ensuring no time pressures.

To have a celebrant led ceremony, you will need to attend to registrars for a You + 2 paperwork only appointment.

Fees vary from council to council but usually:

Booking fee £30

Giving notice £35-45 per person

You + 2 appointment £46 (If this is not given online, ask about it)

Copy of licence/certificate £11

Links to my local councils are:

BLACKPOOL

https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Life-events/Getting-married/Marriage-and-Civil-Partnership-fees.aspx

LCC - Covering FYLDE, WYRE, PRESTON.

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/ceremonies/marriage-and-civil-partnership-fees/