The Wedding Checklist Couples Can Overlook Before Saying “I Do”

What comes to mind when you think of wedding planning? If you are thinking of touring different venues, arranging for dress fitting, and figuring out what kind of cake you want. These are, of course, important details that will add to the excitement of the day. But when it comes to getting married, there is an aspect of the planning that deserves a lot of attention, and that isn’t often talked about: the paperwork. 

Getting married in the UK involves several legal and administrative steps. You can’t afford to overlook any of them, as this will lead to delays and the risk of not being allowed to get married. 

For couples with international backgrounds or previous marriages, there may be a few extra documents to gather along the way. These may not necessarily be difficult to obtain, but they can require additional steps or specific timings. So, it’s important to get the checklist right as you are preparing your marriage. 

Giving Notice of Marriage

When you get married in the UK, you need to give notice of marriage. When you have to provide the notice of marriage will depend on where you are getting married. In Northern Ireland, for example, you can provide the notice in the 12 months before the date of the marriage. However, if you are getting married in Scotland, the earlier you can submit the notice is 3 months before your marriage date is due, and no later than 29 days before the date. 

For those getting married in England and Wales, the notice itself is valid for 12 months and needs to be given at least 29 days before the ceremony. 

To give the notice, both partners will need to provide the information and documents to the local register office of the location they have chosen for their marriage. This is important, because even if both partners live in England, if they have chosen to get married in Scotland, the relevant office will be in Scotland.

At this stage, you need to be organised. Your notice of marriage is the last thing you have to sort out, which means you need to secure all relevant documentation and approval ahead of submitting the notice. 

Identity Documents

Identity documents are an essential part of the process. 

For many couples, a valid passport can serve as the primary form of identification. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide a birth certificate or other support documents requested by the register office. 

If one partner was born outside the UK, obtaining a birth certificate may require a little extra planning. In most cases, copies can be requested from the civil registration authority responsible for births in the country where the person was born. 

Fortunately, many countries now offer multilingual birth certificates or international extracts designed specifically for use abroad. You typically don’t need translation for this document. But timing is particularly crucial here. 

Some countries place restrictions on how long the birth certificate is valid for. For example, for French citizens, it is valid only for 3 months from the date of issue, which means that couples need to coordinate: 

• How long it will take to process the request
• International postage and delivery times
• Notice of marriage timing

It’s a process you can’t start too early, as you want to ensure the birth certificate and the notice of marriage will both be valid. 

Proof of Current Address

You need evidence of your current address when submitting your documents for the notice. 

Typically, a variety of documents can act as proof of residence, such as a utility bill, bank statement, council tax bill, driving licence, tenancy agreement, etc. 

There may be some differences between register offices, but there will also be a list of the accepted documents. Generally, this is a relatively easy aspect, as most people are used to providing proof of address in other areas of life. However, it’s worth checking that the intended document will be accepted by the register office. 

For Those Who Have Been Married Before

Many couples entering marriage have precious life experiences behind them, including earlier marriages or civil partnerships. While this doesn’t mean you can’t get married again, you will need to provide evidence that the previous relationship has ended legally. 

If the previous relationship took place in the UK, this may involve presenting a decree absolute, final order, or the death certificate of the former spouse. 

However, if the divorce took place overseas, the situation may require an extra step. Register offices may need to establish whether the divorce is recognised under UK law before the marriage can proceed. 

This means that documents issued abroad will need to be rewritten in English. In this case, it is worth obtaining an accurate translation through professional translation services, which can help ensure that the legal document is clearly understood and can be accepted by the relevant authorities. This requires a certified translation, which provides reassurance that the translated document accurately reflects the original wording. No matter how tempting it is to rely on bilingual friends, you want professionally prepared translations to get married. 

As this can take time, it’s also important to arrange for a translation early on. Typically, certified translations are valid indefinitely, so it can be ordered as early as you want. 

The Fun Side of Wedding Planning

After navigating the legal requirements, it’s finally time to focus on the aspects of the wedding planning that are enjoyable. 

This is where you can enjoy figuring out the venue styling, the guest lists, the outfit, the photography, the menus, and the entertainment. All these steps also matter for the big day. However, as they are not bound to any administrative or legal processes, they can be part of a much more relaxed organisation. 

That being said, for international couples, there may also be an opportunity to create a multi-cultural event that celebrates both countries and families. This may require some careful advanced planning, especially if you want to secure bilingual readings and communication throughout the ceremony. 

In conclusion, wedding planning can involve a lot more than choosing flowers and cake samples. The administrative checking may not be complex, but it requires following every step in order, especially if your situation requires additional documentation. 

See more lifestyle posts here

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.