Looking for a church that will do civil weddings

[racergal74]

My partner and I are getting married next year woohoo so excited, I was wondering does anyone know of any churches or nice places where we could do the ceremony my partner would love a church thanks xx

[milky]

Gateshead civic centre is the only place i have heard ov- tho its not exactly a nice venue! gud luk in finding sumwhere n i hope u n ur partner r happy.

[russell40]

Log on to the Newcastle City Council and look up civil partnership registrations / venues.

In addition if you do a google search for venues for same sex partnerships you will get a list of sites- Sadly the orientation of the sites are South but none the less there are some.

Good luck and lets us know how you get on

[ladymissc]

Well congrats - yes I would suggest Newcastle City Council like Russell mentions. Just a Q - why would yr girlfriend like a church wedding ? Is she religious?

[ladymissc]

Plus - is there such a thing as 'civil weddings' ? There are 'civil partnerships' and there are 'weddings' but I don't think u can mix and match.

[tightass]

In legal terms there is very little difference between a marriage and a civil partnership albeit between same sex or different sex couples. For marriages the bride becomes a Mrs and takes the grooms surname. In civil partnerships any name change would have to be by deed poll.

Theoretically a priest or vicar etc has the power to perform a civil partnership in a church but different sex couples usually go for the full 'religious' weddings in churches and if they don't want that just get a registrar and use venues with a license. Even for different sex couples it is difficult to get a church for a non-religious wedding or to register a civil partnership. It is also theoretically possible to 'hire' a church and get a registrar to perform a civil partnership.

It is of course all down to the church being the house of god and still only recognising marriage between a man and a woman and cannot be seen to 'promote' anything else. I can't think of any church in NE where you can have a same sex civil partnership.

A few of my friends entered into their civil partnership at the usual registry office and then a 'blessing' at the metropolitan community church in Newcastle which may be the best option available.

Al