The marriage process in England and Wales
The process runs in a fixed order: confirm eligibility, secure a legally usable venue and date, give notice in person at your own register office, wait the statutory period, marry with the required officials and witnesses, and sign the marriage schedule so the marriage can be registered.
Before notice
Everything before notice is preparation: eligibility evidence, venue, date, and the registrars for the ceremony district if the ceremony is civil and outside a register office.
Notice and waiting
Notice is the legal trigger. Once both notices are given and the waiting period has run, the marriage schedule can be issued.
The ceremony and registration
You must both make the legally prescribed declarations in front of two witnesses and the officiating registrar or authorised person. The schedule is signed on the day and returned for registration; your certificate follows.
What this means for you
- The legal marriage is the schedule, not the celebration around it.
- Order certificate copies at the ceremony if you will need them for name changes.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
Last reviewed: 16 August 2026 · Next review due 16 November 2026
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Related guides
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.