Can you get married with just two witnesses and no other guests?
Yes, you can legally marry with nothing more than the two of you, a registrar or authorised person, and two witnesses. There is no legal requirement for any other guests, decoration or celebration, which makes this one of the simplest and lowest-cost ways to marry.
What the law actually requires
The only people who must be present are the couple, the person conducting the ceremony, and two witnesses who are old enough to understand what they are witnessing and are willing to sign the marriage document.
Witnesses do not need to be family members and do not need to have known you for any particular length of time — register office staff can sometimes act as witnesses if you arrive without your own.
Booking a small ceremony
Most register offices offer a basic ceremony option specifically designed for couples who do not want guests, often at a lower fee than ceremonies with a room booked for a larger group.
You still need to complete the full notice and eligibility process beforehand — a small ceremony does not shorten the notice period or reduce the documents required.
Adding a celebration later
Many couples marry quietly like this and then hold a separate party or blessing at another time, which has no bearing on the legal marriage itself since that is already complete.
What this means for you
- You do not need to invite anyone beyond two witnesses to have a fully legal marriage.
- Book the smallest ceremony slot your register office offers if you want to keep things simple and lower cost.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
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Simply Married is an independent planning service, not a register office or government department. Confirm current requirements and fees with your own register office and on GOV.UK.