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Weddings Blessings / Celebration
Can I get married in my home or in a garden? YES you can. This type of ceremony is called a wedding blessing, or wedding celebration.
Many people have asked me, during my time at the register office if they could get married somewhere outside. I always had to say no, it has to be a solid structure to be licensed for marriage. The building also has to be open to the public for marriages for three years and of course there are planning issues to be considered and a large fee. So I have introduced my service to get around these requirements. I can perform a ceremony for you in your home, your garden, on a beach, in a forest or park, the local village hall or pub, the venue is only limited by your imagination.
To be married in this country, the legal requirements are that a man and woman stand in front of a registrar in a place licensed for civil marriage, with two witnesses. They have to repeat two sets of words, and sign the register. That is it; they do not have to say any vows or exchange rings. The two sets of words are called Declaratory words and contracting words. Declaratory words: The registrar will ask 'Are you ______________( Full Name ) free lawfully to marry ____________( Full Name ) ?'
You have to respond with 'I am'
Contracting words:
You will be asked to each repeat the following after the registrar. 'I _______________(Full name) take you ___________(Full Name) to be my wedded wife / husband' That's it, sign the register and you are legally married.
You can arrange to do this official marriage in your lunch breaks, or even early on the same day as we are going to hold your ceremony. So long as you have the legal document, I can perform your ceremony however and wherever you want it.
The cost involved. Everyone has to give notice of intent to marry, wherever you are going to be married, this involves making an appointment at your local register office and taking your documents (they will tell you what you need when you phone for the appointment) and the charge for this is £30 each. The legal ceremony at the register office is currently £43.50 this includes the price for your marriage certificate. My fee starts at £250 there may be extra charges for travelling that's all. If you add my fee and the register office fee together, it will still be cheaper than paying for a registrar to attend a licensed premises (£323.50 on a Sunday in 2007!!). You can then work out your own budget for catering and clothes, flowers etc. You can have the wedding of your dreams without leaving yourself in financial hardship.
Please contact me with any questions or availability requests that you may have.
Why Mulberry Days? Well that's simple, my parents used to say to me when I was little, that a day had been a Mulberry Day if it had been a good family day. Whatever ceremony I am performing for you, I am sure you will want it to be a Mulberry Day.