Check out the changes in how you can get married, also the role that we as Independent Civil Celebrants play
I am Pete a modern Independent Civil Celebrant who believes in giving couples the ceremony they deserve with real freedom of choice and personalisation. I specialise in working couples who desire much more than a traditional wedding. I have a can-do attitude and strive to give you the ceremony wish and make sure your wedding is exactly how you want it to be.
Wedding Ceremonies
Because of the traditional ways of getting married, there were not a lot of wedding choices possible. The ceremony was held in a registrar office or in a church, both of these had strict rules and guide lines they had to adhere to.
All has now changed
As an Independent Civil Celebrant, this makes me ecstatic! The wedding ceremonies are now open to be held anywhere, at any time, and exactly, within reason, how you would like it to be.
Couples want to have a wedding ceremony in a certain location, like a beach, at sunrise or sun down, on their family farm, under the stars, to mention a few, as I said above your bidding is our pleasure.
Another great step forward is there is no time limit on how long the ceremony takes (subject to venue), for example a registrar office wedding is about 30 minutes in and out.
Venues
You can have a wedding ceremony anywhere whether they are licensed or not, unlike a church or a registrar wedding, they can only carry out a ceremony in a venue that they have given an agreement with.
The unconventional ceremonies are becoming more popular, because we believe it’s all about the experience of a wedding rather than it just being an event.
As mentioned above, Independent Civil Celebrants led ceremonies, can take place literally anywhere, the rush for a licensed venue is no longer an issue.
We find that there are more weddings taking place at the couples’ homes, in their gardens and other locations which were never allowed before. So, when you’re planning your wedding open your mind, there is nothing (within reason), impossible.
More changes
Some couples are losing some of the gender related traditions, like for example maids of honour can be now men of honour, bridesmaids to grooms maids, best man to best woman etc. There is a big emphasis on couples owning their ceremony.
Independent Civil Celebrant ceremonies are rising in demand, this is because we lend ourselves to this sort of no limit’s ceremony. In terms of the experience couples want their guests to be more than spectators, so alongside quirky venues, food and drink vans are popular, games, performers, bouncy castles, mini golf, it’s all going on!!!
An Independent Civil Celebrant led ceremony means friends and family members can take an active role in the actual ceremony, and they naturally lend themselves to this sort of wider participation.
Planning is more Hi-Tech
Planning a wedding is getting more, high tech, and I hesitate to add easier as there are more virtual wedding fairs and shows also wedding websites thus saving time and money.
Having a video chat with wedding suppliers on Zoom or What’s App is easier, more time efficient and less costly now with the broadband speeds. You can search from home for a one stop wedding provider, with every detail including recommended hotels and venues.
Using media like Face book you can have a wedding page that can be act as not only as information, but can be updated quickly and easily to inform guests of any changes as they happen, and vice-versa.
Legal wedding laws must change
We as Independent Celebrants are lobbying the government to allow Celebrants to legally marry couples on the during the ceremony and be regulated by the General Register Office.
At this time at the moment it is not possible in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The couple have to do the legal paperwork before or after the ceremony, either in a licensed venue or a registrars office.
The Law Commission concludes that the wedding law is "Failing to support marriages, and a reform is needed for couples to celebrate their weddings in a way that is meaningful to them and protecting their freedom of expression and belief"
If you would like to support this bill then please get in touch with your local MP
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