Privacy policy

If you join as a witness

We collect the details you give us, including your name, email, town, chosen area, and any photo, phone number, bio, availability, fee, badges or other optional details. We use these to review your application, manage your listing, send you private update links and relevant directory messages, and connect you with enquiries. The legal basis is taking steps at your request to provide the listing and our legitimate interest in running a safe, useful directory.

Only approved listings with a photo appear publicly. Your listing may show your first name, photo, town or area, bio, fee, availability and any other profile details you choose to add. Your surname, email and phone are not displayed publicly. If you add a website or a partner's name, those details may appear on your listing; only add information you are happy to share.

When you share a personal invite link, we keep track of sign-ups through that link to count referrals and administer the headshot reward. A name typed into a referral box is not treated as a verified referral.

If you ask for a witness

We collect your name, email and whatever you choose to tell us about your ceremony, including a phone number if you provide one. We use this to handle your request, respond to you and pass the relevant enquiry to the witness or witnesses you ask about. They may then contact you directly. The legal basis is taking steps at your request and our legitimate interest in making the introduction. Please avoid including sensitive personal information in your message unless it is needed.

Visits, storage and sharing

We record page visits, a browser-generated visitor identifier and referral information to understand how the directory is used. The visitor identifier is kept in your browser's local storage; it is not an advertising tracker. You can clear it through your browser settings. Essential site or sign-in storage may also be used where needed for the site to work.

We use hosting, data storage and email delivery services to run the directory. They process information on our behalf. We do not sell your details or use them for mass marketing. We share enquiry details with the relevant witness when arranging an introduction, or information where required by law. Service providers may process data outside the UK; where that happens, we rely on appropriate transfer safeguards.

How long we keep it

We keep your information while it is needed for your listing, enquiry, referral record or the running of the directory, then remove it when it is no longer needed, subject to any legal obligations. You can ask us to pause or remove your listing at any time. A paused listing is not visible to couples.

Your choices and rights

You can ask to see, correct or delete your information, object to or restrict certain uses, and request a copy of information you provided. Some rights depend on the circumstances. Witnesses can also update or pause their listing through their private link. Email howdee@elopementwitnesses.co.uk and we'll help. You can also complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk.