How to plan a civil wedding in the UK
A civil or church wedding in the UK usually runs across a single, well-loved day: the ceremony, a drinks reception, the wedding breakfast, and the evening party. Simple to picture, but the details are where the planning lives.
This guide walks through the shape of the day, the legal bits, and how to budget. Plan every part in We Do, free.
The shape of the day
Most days follow a familiar order:
- Ceremony — your vows at a registry office, church, or licensed venue.
- Drinks reception — canapés and fizz while the couple has photos taken.
- Wedding breakfast — the seated meal and speeches (traditionally the first meal as a married couple, not a morning one).
- Evening reception — the first dance, cake and the party.
The legal bits
For a legal marriage in England and Wales you give notice at your local register office, usually at least 29 days before the wedding, and marry at a licensed venue or place of worship. Rules differ slightly in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check with your local register office.
If you are having a celebrant-led ceremony that is not itself legally binding, many couples do a short legal ceremony separately. Note both in We Do so nothing is missed.
A typical running order
A classic timeline:
- Late morning: preparations and first looks.
- Early afternoon: the ceremony.
- Afternoon: drinks reception and group photos.
- Late afternoon: the wedding breakfast and speeches.
- Evening: first dance, cake and the party.
How far ahead to plan
Popular venues and photographers book 12 to 18 months out, so start there, then catering. Send save-the-dates 6 to 8 months ahead, order outfits and invitations around 5 months, and confirm final numbers and seating in the last month. Keeping around 10% of your budget spare covers the small extras that always appear.
Common questions
What is the wedding breakfast?
The wedding breakfast is the main seated meal after the ceremony, with speeches. Despite the name it is not a morning meal, it is traditionally the couple's first meal as a married couple.
How do we legally get married in the UK?
In England and Wales you give notice at your local register office (usually at least 29 days ahead) and marry at a licensed venue or place of worship. Scotland and Northern Ireland differ slightly, so check locally.
How far ahead should we book our venue?
Popular venues and photographers often book 12 to 18 months in advance, so they are the first things to lock in.
How much should we keep spare in the budget?
Around 10% is a good buffer. Postage, alterations, tips and overtime add up, and a buffer keeps the day calm.
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