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Getting Married

Civil Marriages in Approved Premises

Our advice...
As an alternative to the register office, the law allows for civil marriages to take place in other buildings that have been approved by the local authority as suitable venues for the solemnisation of marriage.

This can include hotels, stately homes and country clubs. Marriages cannot, however, take place outdoors or in temporary or mobile structures such as marquees or boats.

To arrange a wedding at approved premises - contact the venue to view the premises, discuss possible dates, and make a provisional booking with the register office for the district in which the venue is situated.

The date you book for your marriage will be dependent on the availability of registration staff. It is therefore important that you agree availability with the Register office as soon as possible (see approved venues links for more information).

There is a fee for the attendance of a registrar at approved premises.

To find out more about getting a venue approved for marriages, see our entertainment licensing pages.

More help


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