A civil ceremony is a legal marriage ceremony that is performed by
a local council official at an approved location, rather than by a
religious official in a religious setting. The ceremony itself contains
no religious elements or religious connotations. You can, however,
add your own personal touches to the ceremony, including non-
religious music and readings. To perform the civil wedding, you’ll
need a council official – a registrar. You also choose two witnesses
for the ceremony, who’ll both sign the marriage register.

There are many reasons for choosing a civil ceremony, but some
people prefer a traditional church wedding, or a ceremony in
another place of worship. But if you’re not very religious and don’t
feel comfortable with the idea of a religious ceremony, or if you and
your partner come from different religious backgrounds and you
want something to unite you, a civil wedding is a great option. Some
people choose to have a civil ceremony because they want to
include personal elements or bespoke details in their vows. Others
might have their heart set on having an outdoor wedding or a barn
wedding.