Outdoor Ceremonies More flexibility, more choice
YOUR CEREMONY
Outdoor Ceremonies More flexibility, more choice
Photography by: Nicola Dawson Photography
You can now have a legal wedding or civil partnership outdoors at a licensed venue( Approved Premises), providing greater flexibility and choice for couples on their special day. Previously, ceremonies had to take place in a room within a licensed venue or in a permanent structure outside, but couples can now have the whole ceremony outside in the venue’ s grounds.
Here are some common questions, answered by the Kent Registration Service.
Q. Can I now get married anywhere outside? Like a beach?
A. Although there’ s greater flexibility with outdoor ceremonies, the law has only changed to allow them to be able to take place within the grounds of an Approved Premises.
Q. I have an existing ceremony booked at an Approved Premises. Can I now have that ceremony outdoors?
A. You should discuss this with the venue as soon as possible. The law allows ceremonies to take place outdoors in the grounds of the venue. However, whether you can change your ceremony from an approved room at the Approved Premises to a location in the grounds depends on whether the venue is offering outdoor ceremonies. The venue must also first obtain prior confirmation from the local authority that the proposed location for your outdoor ceremony is seemly and dignified. It is important that you discuss your wishes with the venue before making any firm plans.
Q. Can I get married in a marquee? A. If the marquee is located within the grounds of the Approved Premises then yes. You should discuss this with your venue.
Q. Will I need to change my notice of intention to marry or civil partnership if I have my ceremony in the grounds of the Approved Premises?
A. No. This will not be necessary unless you are changing to a different venue, for example, if your current venue has decided not to offer outdoor ceremonies.
Q. Will my ceremony be cancelled in the event of inclement weather?
A. Venues have been advised to consider contingency plans so that a ceremony can still take place on the day, whatever the weather. You should discuss and agree this in advance with the Approved Premises. This may be use of an approved room within the premises, or a covered structure in the grounds.
Q. Can I have an unlimited number of guests at my ceremony if it is to be held outdoors?
A. The maximum number of guests who can attend your ceremony will depend on a number of factors, including health and safety and fire precautions( including in relation to any structure within which the outdoor ceremony will take place), and any planning restrictions which may be in place or which may be imposed by the local authority on the venue.
Approved Premises will also need to consider how the guests can be accommodated in the event of inclement weather, whilst meeting health and safety requirements, which may differ, for example, if the ceremony needs to move to an approved room inside the premises.
Q. Can I personalise my ceremony content?
A. The idea of arranging a civil ceremony can be daunting. Obviously, you want to get everything right, from vows to venue, to make sure you’ re legally married at the end. However, the ceremony content is a lot easier than you think, and we’ re here to help.
There can be a misconception that civil ceremonies lack character, but that certainly doesn’ t have to be the case.
Typically, the ceremony itself consists of legal vows and declarations and the signing of the schedule. There is set wording for the vows, there are different versions of this, which you’ ll choose in advance from our Choices booklet. Our‘ Kentish Ceremony’ allows you to personalise your ceremony by adding readings, poetry, music and even writing your own personal promises to each other! Choosing these can actually be one of the most enjoyable and inexpensive parts of wedding planning. Maybe get family and friends involved by asking them to read a poem.
You will need to run all readings and music choices past the registrar in advance, and these cannot have religious associations.
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