The Ceremony - Your Wedding Day
Your wedding is as unique and special as you are. Everything about the day should reflect
your own personality and individuality, paying particular attention to the actual
Ceremony itself. This fantastic day is when you both have the opportunity to publicly
express your love and devotion for each other, making personal vows and creating special
long lasting memories that you will cherish and remember forever.
Ceremony Facts
From the 5th December 2005, gay and lesbian couples began to register at registrars offices
across the country their intention to carry out a civil partnership ceremony. Within the
first two months approximately 4,900 have either registered or carried out their
ceremony, with an estimated 10,000 couples intending to marry in the first year alone.
All couples must adhere to the following requirements:
- Same sex couples must not be married or already be a civil partner
- Parental consent is needed if between the ages of 16 and 18
- 15 days prior notice of proposed civil partnerships must be given to the Registration Authority
- You will be required to sign a document in the presence of a registration officer and two witnesses
Civil Partnership Act
The Civil Partnership Act applies to all residents within the UK and Northern Ireland.
Registering under this Act will offer gay and lesbian couples similar legal benefits
as heterosexual married couples. For further details on registering, contact your
local council or registry office, or visit: www.gro.gov.uk. After you have
legally registered your partnership, you will be known as "Civil Partners".
There is no stipulation that you automatically take your partner's surname,
so if you would like to change your last name you will need to make changes
by deed poll. For further information, please visit
www.stonewall.org.uk.
Although there is no requirement to hold a ceremony as such, simply making an appointment
to go into your local registry office and sign the register fulfils the legal requirements.
Here at pink wedding days we believe it is a golden opportunity to really push the boat
out and have the wedding you have always wanted which until now has only been a dream.
Some important elements of the ceremony to consider are:
- Readings message of love or reflective poems?
- Music classical / opera or a modern theme?
- Vows personal sentiments and commitments
- Flowers chosen by season or meanings?
- Theme settings venue choice, mood lighting, colours, fabrics etc.
Combined, these key elements of your wedding will reflect the atmosphere and feelings
of the day. Whatever type of ceremony you choose remember just
relax and enjoy it.