Celebrating your Civil Partnership
The Ceremony
The ceremony has a guiding framework, along with a wide selection of options to enable you to choose your own words for the opening and closing ceremony, vows and readings etc. Partners will recite the words and sign the Civil Partnership Schedule in the presence of a Registrar and two witnesses.
The formation of a Civil Partnership is secular and a religious service is prohibited. Couples may, however, arrange an additional ceremony after the registration procedure has been completed. This is only if you wish to do so, as there is no legal requirement. This is where all the wedding planners come in!
The location
The Civil Partnership ceremony - unlike the venue where the official registration takes place - can be held almost anywhere. This is where it is easy to get carried away!
Fairytale castles, grand hotels or stately country houses. You can search online for the perfect approved venue by postcode at www.gro.gov.uk or order a venue directory from local.services@ons.gov.uk. If a Civil Partnership is to be registered outside your area of residence, you must also give notice in your area of residence.
The notice must give details of the date and place the Civil Partnership is to be registered. You must organise this with the local authority where the registration will take place, before you give notice.
Get the best from your ceremony
- Think about the promises you want to make to each other;
- Consider offering special gifts during the ceremony (instead of,
or as well as, rings); - Make the ceremony suit your needs and feelings;
- Include music, poetry and readings that represent what you
want to say; - Send out invitations in advance!
A bit of a do!
Many couples will want to make the most of the opportunity to celebrate their civil partnerships and of course, there is no limit to what you can spend if you really want to push the boat out. With civil partnership wedding planners, party supplies, personalised invites, photographers, commitment jewellery, cakes, dress hire, wedding cars, presents, hen and stag nights, honeymoon etc, you can tailor the occasion to suit your purse.
That special gift
Deciding whether to ask for gifts or not can be a tricky business. Many stores offer a wedding list service to same sex couples. Alternatively some couples request a donation to their favourite charity. Why not use this opportunity to support the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s work in ending homophobia and empowering people. Visit www.justgiving.com/lgf, or www.lgf.org.uk and click on the donate button.
