Civil Ceremony - Can we have instrumentals of hymns?

So we had a nice long car journey today so decided to talk music for the wedding.

H2B has suggested we have Jerusalem for the signing of the register. Now I know we can't have the normal version because it's full of godly words, lol. But we're not interested in it because it's a hymn, it's a cricket song!! Lol.

But if we had a brass band version, would this be ok? As there are no words, god isn't mentioned! But it's still a hymn...

I have wondered this myself - if there are no religious references then maybe yes?? People may not recognise certain songs as hymns, I know I don't a lot of the time!!

I don't think you can... but you won't know unless you ask! Jerusalem is pretty much used as a National Abthem for England so they may allow it.

If you slant it as the sporty version you'd hope there wouldn't be a problem if there are no words... can you let me know what they say though - could open up some other avenues if they say yes

Cheers
xx

I very much doubt they'll let you, unfortunately.

There are very strict rules about civil ceremonies (I've heard of people being asked to take off their necklaces if they are crosses!), and I think they will veto any hymns, even if they are instrumental versions. Sorry