There are differences and similarities between civil partnerships and marriages. One incredibly noticeable difference is a marriage is openly available to heterosexual couples, whereas a civil partnership is for those of same-sex couplings. Civil partnerships are a legally recognised union between two people of the same sex. However, there are many religious and non-religious people within the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer and more) community whom feel marriage should be available to all people whom wish to get one. There are also heterosexual people whom feel civil partnerships should be open to couples of all sexes. Same-sex couples who become partnered will have the right to exactly the same legal treatment across a range of matters as a married couple would expect.
All key elements involved with marriage are given to those whom have a civil partnership. Equitable treatment for incredibly important manners like inheritance, life insurance, childrens maintenance pensions and other things is given within a civil partnership. There are also next of kin rights within a civil partnership; this affects hospital dealings, immigration and nationality rules, and much more. These can be changed and altered when a civil partnership is put in to place, much like they would be after a marriage.
A large reason for civil partnerships not pertaining to marriage itself is religious connotations of the word “marriage”, which dates back from when men would own women, dowries were given, and everything was a lot more traditional. Religious setbacks and disagreements are an incredibly large reason for people all across the United Kingdom being against civil partnerships being given a title of “gay marriage”.
Despite terminology and titles, the government has made it for civil partnerships to have as much legal standing as a marriage. Many rights pertaining to a marriage are found within the rights of a civil partnership, which makes one large difference between both ceremonies simply a name. For many people entering in to a partnership, they are likely to refer to it as a gay marriage, for sake of simplicity.
However, with both homo- and hetero-sexual partnerships and marriages, a wedding ceremony can be held. Weddings and marriages are two entirely separate entities. Some people may wish to be married, and hold a wedding ceremony for family and friends to witness at a later or much earlier date to any official marriage or partnership documentation being signed. One large thing which can be taken from knowing such a thing is an ability to plan a wedding ceremony regardless of sex of couples involved. Whether straight or gay, a wedding can be held as it is not an official, legal marriage; weddings are usually held within a similar time to a marriage, yet it is not lawful for it to happen.
A wedding ceremony can be thrown anywhere, at any time of the year. Giving family, friends, close ones and loved ones opportunities to witness declarations of love between two people. Normally legal documentation is signed all at once, but it does not have to be.