I love outdoor weddings and back home in Australia you can get married almost anywhere you want to just as long as you hire a registered celebrant to marry you. But here in England it’s a bit tougher and I just don’t understand why.
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are so many stunning places to get married outdoors here: Dartmoor National Park, Newquay Beach and how many stunning castles are there in this country? National trust gardens… the list is long and distinguished! 🙂
I love the idea of finding an incredible tree somewhere you love, or going onto the beach with a home made archway overhead covered with frangipanis and little red hearts: adding yet another dimensions to your story telling on your wedding day and creating something that is unique to you. Or just saying your vows in a place that has meaning to you!
I want to show you a couple of stunning altars I’ve stumbled across in my web travels to help give you some inspiration beyond tradition.
Photo by Angela J Martin Photography
Photo by Angela J Martin Photography
Photo by Ashley Rose Photography
Photo by Julie Harris Photography
I love the idea of creating an altar. Like the arch I keep meaning to create every summer in the garden, covered in exotic flowers in purples and whites, highlighted by a mirror sitting behind the arch and I’ll call it ‘The arch to nowhere but here’. I love the idea that right here, right now is perfect and I’d sit under it, the sun warming my skin, and just be! Now imagine if that arch was my altar. Romantic!!!
Imagine being able to bring your wedding day altar home and putting it in your garden over a love seat – oh, it’s just the epitome of romantic! And for your anniversary you could get a little love sign made up for it – Ok, somebody stop me, I will go on and on.
Create your story! Be adventurous!
NEWS FLASH: I wanted to share some information that I have just received from a gorgeous lady who is a celebrant here in the UK. She is an expert on Wedding laws and has generously given me some info on the laws of getting married here in the UK inside and out… take it away Christabel 🙂
“In England and Wales (Scottish wedding law is different) couples who are looking to marry outside the Church have to do so at an Approved Venue. An Approved Venue must be a fixed structure and under cover in order for the marriage to be legally binding.
A legal wedding ceremony cannot take place in the open air, in a tent, marquee or any other temporary structure or in most forms of transport and the ceremony must also take place before 6pm.
If your dream is to say “I do” in a meadow of wild flowers, a tipi or Bedouin tent, gorgeous woodland, beachside hideaway or a floating barge, then with a Wedding Celebrant you can. Perhaps you would like a candlelit evening ceremony followed by the release of Chinese lanterns? This is all very possible.
How? All you have to do is have the legal ceremony first, usually at the Registry Office or anywhere that is a legally registered indoor venue as per the above and then have the outdoor ceremony of your dreams.
Most couples choose to do this a few days prior to the ‘big day’ and take along a handful of close family or friends. Some choose to take only the two witnesses legally required. The actual legal part is relatively quick and does not have to include the exchanging of vows or rings (this is purely ceremonial), unless you want to.
If what you want is to have the ceremony of your dreams in that wonderful location with a personally written script that truly reflects you, then you can. You can even have a tribute to your very own love story. There are no restrictions. Just the way you always imagined it would be.”
Do check out Christabel’s website for more information or send her an email.
Thanks Christabel!
I love the one with the mountains in the background. I would have loved to get married outdoors. but they didn’t really do it 6 years ago!
I think that in this country you have to have a covered bit for the registrars so the venues which offer outdoor ceremonies tend to get the white plastic gazebo which doesn’t really fit into beautiful rustic gardens. They need to look at these amazing photos for inspiration.
Hey Gillian, Lovely to hear from you.
The mountains look a lot like the Rockies don’t they – oh to have that as a backdrop! Wowza. Thanks for your insight into the ceremonies too. I have a little spy working for me right now who will add to the post this afternoon with more of the ins-and-outs of getting married outside. Maybe we should petition the Govt so it’s more relaxed like Aust, NZ and the US? xxx
All beautiful photos, the mountains on the last picture look like they were painted in just for them! Absolutely breathtaking.
Stunning. Is that first photograph of a chapel in Arkansas by any chance?
Yes it is in Arkansas, can you believe there is two. This one has the traditional shaped arch window and it is the Bella Vista Chapel.
It just looks amazing! Zarn x
I’m one of the lucky ones – I live in Scotland and we are one of only six countries that recognise Humanist ceremonies so we can get wed anywhere! Our biggest restriction is the weather… We have stunning scenery but frequently against a grey (dreich!) background. So we have just booked our local theatre; our ceremony will be on the stage with guests in the stalls. Any suggestions for invites / favours / other bits and pieces to tie in with this would be very welcome!
Kirsty
Hey Kirsty, I didn’t realise Scotland recognised Humanist ceremonies, that’s awesome. Your wedding idea sounds A-Mazing!!!
I would def. play with photographs in the theatre with your photographer; get the bridal party on stage in ‘acting’ positions for photos, pretend you and hubby have the lead roles, just you two on stage, oh the photos could be brilliant.
You could have on the table plans ‘Lead Roles’ then your names, ‘Supporting cast’ then the bridal party. Your table names could be old Scottish plays or Theatre shows that you and H2B love.
You could either do a them around Old Hollywood or Broadway/West End. 30’s and 40’s movies would be amazing too. There is so much you could do.
Have a blast and keep me up to date. I’d love to know your plans.
Zarn x