A WEDDING GUIDE BY TREVOR HOWARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Civil weddings at a registry office or other licensed venue may be formal or informal. They range from small, simple, family affairs, to grand stylish celebrations with many of the traditions of a church wedding.

Although most couples like to have a best man, bridesmaids and pageboys, unlike a formal church wedding, there is no role for them during the ceremony, neither does the brides father give her away. There is however, no reason why the bride and her father cannot formally enter the marriage room together. The only people involved in the actually ceremony are the bride, groom and their witnesses.

The bridal party should arrive about 15 minutes before the ceremony, the Superintendent Registrar will advise you of the exact timings. Unlike a church wedding, where it is traditional for the bride to be a few minutes late, you will be advised to arrive early at a civil wedding in order to check that the details to be entered into the register are correct and to pay any outstanding fees. The bride and groom will be called in, separately if you prefer, about 10 minutes before the ceremony.

The marriage ceremony is short, lasting between about 15 minutes. You can choose which music you would like played and there can be an opportunity for readings by one or two of your guests.

Arrange with your photographer where the main photographs will be taken. This is often at a nearby park or garden, or in the grounds of a hotel. A local, experienced, professional photographer will know the best places for photographs in the area. Allow about 30 minutes for the main photographs, depending upon the size of your wedding.

The reception is often informal at a local pub, hotel or even a private house.

Second marriages can have almost the same traditions as the first, if you want it to. If really depends upon which of you has been married before, your age, whether you have children and your personal wishes. Young bridesmaids and pageboys are acceptable where the bride is marrying for the first time. If the bride has been married before, it is usual to have a single maid of honour.

Couples getting married at a hotel or other licensed venue will find the ceremony very similar to that at a registry office. The main advantage is the better surroundings for the ceremony, reception and photographs.

A good, experienced wedding photographer will always offer the bride, groom and family advise and help in advance and on the day.

Trevor Howard Photography, Thetford, Norfolk.  Tel: 01842 761125 

www.trevorhoward.co.uk

Email: weddings@trevorhoward.co.uk

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