Can I Marry In My Garden?

by Sara Jane Berry
(London)

I want to get married to my partner but the date we have chosen falls on a Sunday and the registry offices don't marry on a Sunday. We can't afford a church wedding and was wondering if we could get married in our own garden. How we would go about it and how much it would cost?


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Answer:

In order to get married legally in the UK, you need the ceremony to take place in a licensed venue, so you couldn't hold the 'legal' element in your garden.

You could however, do the 'legal' bit the day before and hold a special ceremony on your chosen day where you exchange vows in front of family and friends.

I recently attended a wedding where the venue they'd chosen was outdoors (a ruined castle) and because it wasn't licensed they did all the formalities the day before at the registry office. Only the parents attended the legal ceremony and it was all kept quite quiet.

The next day was the ceremony at the castle in front of family and friends. A close friend conducted the ceremony which was very similar to a Humanist celebration. For the bride and groom, the wedding at the castle was always the official day to them even though they were technically married the day before.

As a family member, the wedding really did feel as though it was at the castle. This is where they shed their tears (of joy!) and it's where their memories will be relived.

If you want to do it this way, you still need to go through the official channels and speak to your local registrar. They can book the date to do the 'paperwork' and legally marry you, leaving you to celebrate as you wish in your garden.


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