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UKbride Member Request 13 Jan 2020

Is it legally binding if a friend gets ordained and performs the ceremony in the uk

Hi i don't know if you can help, I am getting married in 2022 and I have always loved the thought of someone I know getting ordained and marrying me and my husband to be. I would love my brother to be our minister, but is it legally binding in the UK? I have searched a thousand websites and even called the local registry office but no one seems to know the answer. Neither myself or partner are religious so this would be perfect for us. We are getting married in a barn which has a marriage licence. Many thanks!

9 Comments
UKbride Member 14 Jan 2020

We did the paperwork for £50 in the registry office and had family conduct our ceremony. We originally did it because we were getting married abroad which didn’t happen but it all turned out perfectly

UKbride Member 14 Jan 2020

Simple answer for it to be legal, no it has to be someone legally recognized.

UKbride Member 14 Jan 2020

Could you not do the legal paperwork at the registry office then have ur brother do a blessing on the day, its what i was going to do but my hubby wanted a church in the end x

UKbride Member 14 Jan 2020

It was something I looked into and no it's not legal here in the UK

UKbride Member 14 Jan 2020

The best advice i can give you is to go on the government website (www.gov.uk) or the general registry office where you'll be able to find out more in detail

UKbride Member 14 Jan 2020

Registery office then have him do the ceremony 😊

UKbride Member 14 Jan 2020

I think a humanist wedding is legally binding in Scotland (sorry, not sure where in the UK you are!) and your brother could technically become the celebrant that married you, however it involves a couple of exams I believe!!! Xx

UKbride Member 15 Jan 2020

This is exactly what my wife and I did!

We actually had a super quick registry office marriage and then my twin did a hand binding a month or so later. We still had vows and all that stuff, the legal bit is not the important area. It was so personal and beautiful xx

UKbride Member 15 Jan 2020

In England and Wales you can only legally married by a vicar or a registrar. Someone ‘ordained’ by post will not be able to marry you in law.

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