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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if we can still get married during lockdown?

19 replies

slicedinhalf · 16/05/2020 23:50

We were due to get married this summer. For obvious reasons, this is no longer going to happen now. We would still like to go ahead and get married next month if possible. I've seen that some people got married over zoom call/video call during lockdown and we would be happy to do something similar. Registry offices are not open yet as far as I'm aware so this is wouldn't be an option. Do you think I could ask a priest or someone if he would be able to get us married over a video call or do it in our garden with social distancing in place?

OP posts:
AdoptAdaptImprove · 16/05/2020 23:58

If you’re in the U.K., unless the law’s been changed for lockdown (and it might have been, I’ve no idea) I doubt you’d be able to do it in your garden as the site has to be a building to be licenced for a marriage - hence even outdoor weddings have to take place under an armour of shelter which is the licensed building.

Why not ask your priest what arrangements he has in place? I think the same would apply and I’m sure that banns would still need to be read, etc, so it sounds unlikely to me that you’d get married by Zoom unless in v particular circumstances, eg. the imminent death of one partner, or something equally extraordinary.

AdoptAdaptImprove · 16/05/2020 23:59

That should be ‘arbour or shelter’, no armour required!

Mippo · 16/05/2020 23:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklesocks · 17/05/2020 00:00

Frustrating as it must be - from what I understand locations/venues have to be certified/registered for weddings to be recognised by law, so I’m not sure a virtual wedding would have that same legal standing?

rose69 · 17/05/2020 00:00

You also need to be able to sign the register.

Megan2018 · 17/05/2020 00:04

You can have weddings with a maximum of 5 people inc bride/groom and celebrant so that social distancing can be observed.

You can’t do it digitally, you and then celebrant and witnesses have to be present but socially distanced.

It’s just a case of getting them to agree it.

drcb83 · 17/05/2020 00:08

Maybe from June - but it has to he in person. Also not gonna be in a church until at least July.

NC4Now · 17/05/2020 00:12

I think maybe a small do - you two and two witnesses, could have it at church or register office. You can have your shindig later.
Give them a call

mrsmalcolmreynolds · 17/05/2020 00:20

I think the licensed venue thing is just for civil ceremonies. My uncle was a CofE vicar and married a couple on a mountain (just him and them up there).

Vieve1325 · 17/05/2020 00:26

Are you England or Scotland? You can get married anywhere in Scotland - especially outdoors. Might help with social distancing / lack of venues in due course.

IndiaMay · 17/05/2020 00:27

At the moment it isn't possible to get married in the UK. It has been forbidden since the end of March. From june they are looking to make it possible with 5 people in the room (couple, 2 witnesses, celebrant). Absolutely ridiculous that people have been denied the basic right of marriage for 2/3 months and everyone has just blindly accepted it.

thanksamillion · 17/05/2020 00:27

At the moment you can't at all, or at least not a legal ceremony. You could get anyone to do a non legally binding one anywhere but if you want a 'proper' one you'll have to wait.

Original poster
slicedinhalf · 17/05/2020 00:31

Hi all, thanks a lot for the replies. Are registry offices open? I would give them a call and see if they would do it for us given that we pay, etc. I'm not sure how it would work in terms of giving notice of marriage? All we really need is a paper to say that we are married, we were never going to have a big wedding anyway.

OP posts:
Likethebattle · 17/05/2020 01:48

They won’t allow weddings by camera as it increases the likelihood of someone being coerced into the marriage. It’s incorrect that it must be a licensed place in the UK as in Scotland you can get married anywhere as long as you have licensed celebrant and two competent witnesses over 16 years old. I got married on a Scottish beach. Smaller weddings will be one more normal.

Likethebattle · 17/05/2020 01:49

You also need to submit paperwork a certain amount of time in advance.

CarolFuckingBaskinsPetCat · 17/05/2020 01:53

No weddings anywhere atm

In NI you can get married if one of you is terminally ill Sad

My wedding has been cancelled and I've explored every single avenue. It's so sad but there's nothing we can do

DappledThings · 17/05/2020 06:52

I think the licensed venue thing is just for civil ceremonies. My uncle was a CofE vicar and married a couple on a mountain (just him and them up there).

If that was in England then it may have been a blessing of some kind but it wasnt a legal ceremony.

SnuggyBuggy · 17/05/2020 06:55

Given the legal ramifications of being married its very concerning that this has been taken away

ClaraLane · 17/05/2020 07:01

You can only get married if you have special permission from the Archbishop of Canterbury. A couple I know got married on Friday as one of them is terminally ill. Other than that you’ll have to wait unfortunately.

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