How do weddings work?? UK

Question

We're talking about getting married (we have 2 kids but have been so busy with studies and work and well...kids, and we think it's about time we tie the knot and I also take his last name) but I'm 22 and so confused on how it all works even with Google, I only know 2 people who've been married but that's at the courthouse in my home country, and on my partners side they're from another country also. 
Do you need to be a member of a church to be married in one? Can you hold a wedding literally anywhere even in a park? If so, how do you find someone who officiates the marriage? What about the papers, do you get them from the courthouse/registry office? And do you need to sign them there or can you do it at your wedding? Do wedding venues usually have someone who officiates and the papers or do I need to get them myself? 
The whole legal process is sooo confusing to me, when I search venues they only include the space, party space, food, decorations and stuff but never mention how the ceremony would work or the legal process.
I've been confused for months about this and only now realised I could ask on here 😂
Any advice would be appreciated ❤️

Answer

Full disclosure: I’m not sure how it works in the UK, but I imagine it’s similar to how it works in the US. Here, you have to go to the courthouse to apply for a marriage license. Different places have different requirements (sometimes you need a blood test to prove you aren’t related). The officiant then fills out the paper after the ceremony and sends it in and you will get your marriage license in the mail some time after that. 
Many churches do require you to be a member to have the ceremony there, but some do not require that, just a fee. If you have a specific church in mind, it doesn’t hurt to just call and ask! You can also probably ask at the courthouse if they have any officiants you could hire for your wedding. You could even go the route of having a friend or family member ordained to marry you. 
Venues don’t usually include the ceremony, it is usually just the party space for the reception. I specifically chose a venue that had an outdoor space so that I could have my ceremony and reception at the same location. They did charge an additional fee for that extra time and space. Almost anywhere can be a venue (parks, restaurants, hotels, beaches, zoos, theme parks, etc.), but you have to think about how you will accommodate your guests in the space. Even parks and random places can be wedding venues, usually the place will have an office you can contact to ask about weddings.

How do weddings work?? UK

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