Civil Partnerships

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force in the UK on 5 December 2005. For the first time same-sex couples are able to have their relationships recognised by law and are able to acquire almost all the same rights as married couples. After the statutory notice period of 15 days, the first couples got hitched on 21 December 2005.

Of course Civil Partnership is not for everyone - there are responsibilities as well as rights that come with it. But for many people it grants long-overdue rights and for others a chance to celebrate their relationship with friends and families.

Before deciding if Civil Partnership is for you, make sure you have considered all the legal and financial implications. Our section on the Civil Partnership Act has a summary of the main points and links to further advice. You may also find our Q&A section helpful.

If you have decided to go ahead with a Civil Partnership, there are some key issues you need to think about:

Do you want a simple register office ceremony with the minimum of fuss, or do you want to take the opportunity to celebrate this rite of passage with your friends and family?
Have you always dreamt of a white wedding, but thought you would never have the chance? Or do you want to do something quite different that matches your personality?
Who do you want to invite? Do you want to involve your more outrageous friends while still ensuring that Auntie Mabel will enjoy sharing the happiness of your big day? Or would you rather keep your friends and family apart by having two completely different events?
When do you want to do the deed? Consider the weather, availability of your most important guests and the time it will take to plan. Most traditional weddings take many months to plan, especially if they require hiring of venues, caterers or furniture. The peak time for weddings is in late spring and early summer, so you will find that there is more demand for traditional venues and marquees then. It is usually wise to start planning at least six months ahead - but more is definitely better.
How much do you want to spend? It is possible to tailor an event to practically any budget, but typical costs for traditional weddings are in the region of £15,000 to £20,000. Do you want to handle all the arrangements yourself to save money? Or are there some aspects you would prefer to have someone else handle to reduce the stress while leaving you in control? Maybe you would like someone to organise, design and set up the venue while you do the rest? Perhaps you would like to organise the ceremony itself but get someone else in to do the party afterwards. Or would you rather let someone else organise the whole thing for you?
Where do you want to do it? All premises that are licensed for civil marriage ceremonies are also approved for civil partnership registrations, though not all will be as suitable (or even welcoming) as others. Many have yet to get to grips with what is involved - but others are gearing up for a rush of new business. Some venues are ideal for serious celebrations, others are only suitable for a short ceremony - so any party will have to be held elsewhere.
Etiquette. Remember that Civil Partnerships are a new concept in the UK - so there can be no etiquette to follow, no pattern to copy and no rules to obey. This is your chance to do something unexpected, inspiring, extraordinary. If your family are expecting a pastiche of a straight wedding, why not give them something to surprise and delight them instead? A ceremony that you develop yourself will be much more meaningful and moving than something copied from weddings you have been to or that is based on other people's expectations. And there is no need for a conventional 'wedding breakfast' - instead why not have a party to suit your own tastes with sophisticated lighting and stylish designs using unusual colours, textures and shapes, and create a warm atmosphere that your guests will remember long after the day is over.
There's more general information about Civil Partnerships in our Q&A section.