Cain Manor is an exquisite Elizabethan oak country house wedding venue on the Surrey / Hampshire border. Exclusive use is guaranteed as Cain Manor becomes your home for your wedding day. More info
Wedding venue in Berkshire. Easthampstead Park Conference Centre is based within a Victorian Country Mansion & surrounded by 60 acres of parkland. With a great backdrop for photographs & offering Wedding packages. More info
Looking for a Perfect wedding venue in Berkshire. Royal Windsor Racecourse is a reliable and popular wedding reception venue located in Windsor in Berkshire. Please call us for a wedding pack. More info
Add a touch of historical grandeur to your wedding by holding it at South Hill Park, Bracknell. Our magnificent 18th Century mansion is the ideal setting for ceremonies and receptions, while the Italian Gardens provide a spectacular backdrop. More info
A tranquil hidden gem with a sense of luxury and calm. A wondeful blend of exceptional service, cuisine and experienced event professionals ensure you have the perfect wedding. Visit Fredrick's and chat to our wedding co-ordinator to see for yourself More info
A Grade I listed Mansion House wedding venue set within 121 acres of grounds on the Hampshire/ Berkshire border. Licensed for civil ceremonies, Warbrook House offers a beautiful setting for both your wedding ceremony and reception. More info
Elcot Park Hotel enjoys breathtaking views over the Kennet Valley and is set within parkland of outstanding natural beauty. Licensed for civil ceremonies this stunning Georgian Manor House provides the perfect setting for any wedding celebrations. More info
Sonning Golf Club is the ideal wedding venue for your special day, whether you are having a small intimate reception or a larger wedding, we will ensure that your wedding day is one that you will always remember. Packages available for all budgets. More info
Beaumont Estate is located in the charming Old Windsor, and with a selection of elegant spaces that form a gorgeous backdrop to your celebrations, Beaumont is the ideal choice for your special day. More info
Wokingham Town Hall, with its elegant Victorian cross-beamed main hall and solid oak floors, is a stunning venue for your special occasion in Wokingham, Berkshire. Licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies. More info
Alpine style wedding venue in Berkshire. Our impressive wedding venue and our dedicated events team can bring your dream wedding to life. Whatever you have in mind, from the intimate to the grand, we'll make your dream wedding true. More info
A charming Queen Anne Mansion, Highfield Park offers a truly intimate surrounding for your special day and is available for exclusive use. A unique wedding venue in Nr Hook, Hampshire More info
A luxury 4 star hotel in the heart of Royal Windsor, next to the iconic river Thames and Eton Bridge. Sir Christopher Wren Hotel’s stunning location offers unbeatable riverside views, luxurious bedrooms, historic charm and award winning cuisine. More info
A wedding venue in Bracknell, Berkshire. More info
Beautifully converted barn with attached heated marquee, set amongst pretty meadows, offers you the ultimate in flexibility and choice, with friendly & expert support. Hidden away on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, near the riverside town of Marlow More info
The Roseate is Reading's only 5 star luxury hotel. Originally built in 1911, this magnificently restored Edwardian listed mansion offers exclusive accommodation, beautiful event rooms, fine cuisine and top class service in a central location. More info
The Vineyard is a 5 star Relais & Châteaux hotel, renowned for its impeccable service, 3 AA Rosette restaurant & award winning 30,000 bottle wine cellar. Located in Berkshire, The Vineyard is an hour away from London & a million miles from ordinary. More info
Located in beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside on the banks of the river Thames lies Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre. The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies and is a stunning location for your Buckinghamshire wedding. More info
Perfect wedding venue in Berkshire,Complete historic wedding venue, with rooms of various shapes and size perfect for any celebration. Fully licensed to host civil ceremonies. More info
Our dedicated wedding specialist, choice of elegant wedding suites, comprehensive wedding packages, award-winning food and drink make the Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa one of the best hotel wedding venues in Berkshire & Southern England. More info
Wedding venue in Berkshire.Situated in 10 acres of private grounds including some elegant natural water features, Stirrups is able to provide a spectacular setting for your special day. More info
Court Garden House is an idyllic wedding venue in the heart of the beautiful market town of Marlow overlooking The River Thames. From ceremonies to wedding breakfasts and evening receptions, Court Garden House is the perfect wedding venue. More info
Mill Hall in Newbury, Berkshire is set in 29 acres of grounds. The venue is exclusively yours for your wedding with a dedicated staff team to make your day truly special. All the proceeds from Mill Hall Weddings go directly to the Mary Hare charity. More info
Wedding venue in Berkshire. Situated in one of the most picturesque locations in Royal Berkshire, The Old Mill has become one of the top locations for both wedding ceremonies & wedding receptions in Berkshire. More info
How is a venue licensed for civil ceremonies? Find out why civil ceremony licensed venues are so popular.
If you want to have your marriage ceremony and reception all in one venue in Berkshire, then a civil ceremony is the best match for you. You can either get married in a register office, or you can have a civil ceremony at an approved wedding venue. To be an approved civil ceremony venue, wedding venues need to apply for a civil ceremony license.
So many wedding venues in Berkshire have a civil ceremony license, but just double check they do before booking them. If they don't you will have to find another way of getting a legally-binding marriage. The alternative is marrying in a humanist or spiritual ceremony, which will allow you to marry in any venue (or in an unlicensed part of an otherwise licensed venue, such as a garden or private beach), but will need to be followed by a legal civil ceremony in a register office at another date.
Have questions about your civil ceremony wedding venue? Take a look at our FAQ below…
There's many different types of venue that can be licensed for civil ceremonies. Anything from castles and hotels to barns and even unique venues such as zoo's! If they’re on our civil ceremony venue list, then you can legally marry there. However, don’t assume that more traditional venues always have a civil ceremony license. Venues have to pay to get themselves approved for civil ceremonies. Therefore, some aren't licensed and can only host humanist ceremonies or just your wedding reception. You can find your dream Civil ceremony licensed wedding venue in Berkshire on Guides for Brides.
If a wedding venue in Berkshire wants a civil ceremony license, it must be assessed before hand. This is done by the council, who determine whether it's suitable. This includes whether or not they’re in a safe and reasonable state for members of the public, and if they meet fire safety regulations. The venue must also be regularly available to the public for the purpose of conducting marriage ceremonies. This is why private homes can’t be approved for a civil ceremony license. If you’re hoping to marry on private land, in a back garden or a large home that isn’t available to the public, you’ll need to hold your legal ceremony in a register office instead.
If you want to tie the knot in an outdoor wedding ceremony, then your wedding venue will need a separate civil ceremony license for this. Due to the law, if you get married outside it still needs to be under a fixed permanent structure. Don’t presume that any permanent fixture in a wedding venue’s garden will be automatically covered by a civil ceremony license. Venues need to purchase licenses for separate structures. If you want to know if you can get married in a garden, search our ‘Outdoor wedding ceremony’ filter or simply enquire with your chosen wedding venue in Berkshire.
The law does not consider marquees to be permanent structures, even ones that are up all year round. As a result, it can be difficult to have a civil ceremony in a marquee. One way to get around this is to have your ceremony over the threshold of a doorway. This way, your guests can be seated in the marquee while you are technically indoors.
A civil wedding ceremony has certain legal requirements. You must have two witnesses over the age of 18, and you will need to exchange contractual words of marriage. Ask your chosen registrar about what you need to say during your civil ceremony and then you can work around this to write your own vowed and promises to your partner. Find an abundance of venues licensed for civil ceremonies in Berkshire on Guides for Brides.
By law a civil ceremony cannot include any religious element, including readings or music. You also cannot hold a civil ceremony in a religious building in Berkshire. If you would like to include religion in some way, you can have a religious blessing after your civil ceremony.
The above requirements only apply to weddings in England and Wales. In Scotland, humanist ceremonies are legally binding, so brides in Scotland have more flexibility when choosing their wedding venues. Unlike civil ceremonies, humanist weddings do not require specific wording, or for the ceremony to be under a permanent structure. If you're wanting to have religious elements to your ceremony, whether that be a song or a reading, a humanist ceremony would work perfect for you in Scotland. Speak to a few venues around you to see what ceremonies they can offer and what would work for you
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