So, you've had a wedding proposal! Fantastic! Read our guide to the legal and practical things
Congratulations! You've had a proposal of marriage and you've said Yes of course! Now your head is spinning, looking for ideas, inspiration, dreamy venues, even dreamier dresses, and all that goes with planning your wedding day. Welcome to the crazy, stressful, fun filled madness that is 'planning your wedding'.
Bride Buddy is not here to sell you anything really. We are here to help with guidance, advice and tips from a former UK Registrar with lots of insider info other sites don't tell you about, such as making sure you book your venue with the registrars sometimes up to 2 years in advance if you want the date and place you have your heart set on. Please check out the website section your 'Essential Insider Guide' to find out why you need to do this if you are planning a Civil Ceremony. Find out how and what you need to 'give notice of marriage', how to plan a 'wedding abroad' and so much more. We even have a list of all the legal documents you need to get married in the UK or abroad which you can download and refer back to again and again. It is the law that if you do not have the correct documents when you attend the register office to do the legal parts for your wedding, they cannot take your 'notice of marriage' causing delays and more time off work for you and your partner. We also have tons of helpful information on our '12 First Steps' page to get you started and thinking about what you need to organise, such as budget, guest list, table plans, how to pick your bridal party, honeymoons and much more. We also have pages on traditions, readings and music for your ceremony and what to expect on the day of the wedding.
Now the Ceremony. What are the rules? Well here's the deal.... Where shall we hold our wedding ? What kind of ceremony? What kind of venue? UK or Abroad? What are the choices? In England and Wales the rules state that you can marry at the Register Office, have a Civil Ceremony at an approved venue or a Church Service. You can also deal with the paperwork to get married abroad. We explain what all this means on the website including what an approved venue is. It limits your choice. The rules are slightly different for Scotland and Ireland and we cover this too, but currently in England and Wales those are the rules. It is the law and those are your choices. You cannot get married on the beach, in your back garden, or in your friend's mansion, but there are ways around this. By having a simple legal Register Office marriage first followed with a big wedding party celebration in your garden or at a venue of your choice, you can have a ceremony where ever you want. This also applies if you want to get married abroad as it can often be simpler to do the legal bits in the UK first, then have a unique ceremony on the beach, at a hotel, or wherever you would like.
As a couple you are unique , so why not your wedding ceremony? It should reflect and combine your personalities to create something special and memorable, not just for you, but for your guests too. I can build the ceremony from the information you give me, and work with you, taking the parts you know you would definitely like to include. Then I will give structure and flow to the ceremony. I have many different options for readings, vows, promises, in fact the whole script. It is your ceremony - there are no rules. They are just ideas to inspire you, you can play around with them as much as you like. Once you have approved the draft, I will put all your ideas together in one bespoke script, along with a package that includes a commemorative certificate and matching booklet of the ceremony that can be used on the day.
To hear what people say check out our 'Thank you's' page. Maybe you need someone to write a personalised ceremony for you? Perhaps you have asked a friend or family member to do this for you? Are you that friend and you are not sure where to start? Do you need help with scripts for same sex ceremonies and renewal of vows as well as 'bride & groom' wedding celebrations? Have you been tasked with the job of doing the ceremony and you do not know where to start? Check out our info all about Personalised Ceremonies and see how we can help.
As Bride-Buddy’s top Buddy having 24 years experience as a Registrar, I have conducted many ceremonies. Even a few conventional legal marriages I have attended have included lots of different special requests. At one register office wedding I married an older couple dressed as an indian chief and his squaw. They arrived on horseback and we kept it all a secret from the very surprised guests! Now semi-retired and living it up in Greece, I have worked with a wedding planner here and performed weddings on the beach, in an olive grove, and at country clubs. I write personalised wedding ceremonies for your celebration.
Please take a look at Bride-Buddy. I am sure you will find it useful and of value to you and, of course, many congratulations on your proposal of marriage!