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Handfasting and Marriage
The only form of legal marriage ceremony which can be conducted in England without the presence of a registrar, is one carried out by ordained ministers of the Church of England, unless the minister or priest officiating is a Registrar. In other religious ceremonies a Registrar has to be present to 'witness' on behalf of the state.
In Scotland the law is somewhat different and the Church of Scotland is considered the 'official' state religion. Alternative marriage ceremonies have no legal standing as the law exists today.
Both in England and Scotland, marriages conducted by a Registrar are not allowed to have any religious or spiritual elements incorporated into them, although they can include 'poetry' and be 'blessed' afterwards in a manner appropriate to the couple in question.
Scotland is slightly different, in that it is possible for representatives of 'minority religions' to apply for licences to conduct ceremonies, conditional on certain criteria being fulfilled. Also, marriages, other than those conducted by a Registrar, can be conducted anywhere within reason.
In 1996 the Government introduced changes to the law regarding the conducting of civil marriage ceremonies. Whilst changes in the law did make it possible to hold a civil ceremony in places other than a Registry Office, it does not mean that a ceremony can be held anywhere. A venue to be used for conducting marriages has to be licenced by the local authority and application has to be submitted by the owners of the venue in question.
Venues subject to licence must be open and accessible to the general public and must have no religious connection, or be used at other times for separate religious ceremonies. They must have a roof and not be 'open to the air' It is not therefore possible to apply for a licence for a private venue or somewhere that is in the open air. Ceremonies must also be conducted in daylight.
Source: LifeRites