Set in the leafy surroundings of Queen’s quarter in Belfast, the charming 4 star Malone Lodge Hotel offers an excellent wedding venue in Belfast. Expect an exceptional experience for each couple, as they host only one wedding per day. More info
Hillsborough Castle & Gardens is the official residence of the Royal Family in Northern Ireland and, throughout the years, has played host to monarchs, minsters, presidents and princesses. More info
Wedding reception venue in Co Down, Northern Ireland More info
Our dedicated wedding team specialise in tailoring your day, with a range of wedding packages to suit any budget and taste! One wedding per day, no weekend fees and no minimum numbers are just some of the reasons to book your wedding at Edenmore. More info
One of Northern Irelands Premier Wedding Venues More info
Hold your wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue in Warrenpoint More info
Wedding reception venue which is licenced for civil ceremonies, in County Down, Belfast, Northern Ireland More info
wedding venue for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland More info
La Mon is a superb family owned 4 Star Hotel located 15 minutes from Belfast city centre yet nestled away in the countryside. More info
One of Northern Ireland's best kept secrets available for your wedding venue in Co Down More info
Our luxuriously appointed Banqueting Suites are the perfect setting to your wedding day in Bangor More info
Experience a luxurious time for you and your guests at this reception venue in Banbridge More info
One of County Down's finest hotels, situated in Ballynahinch. Northern Ireland More info
Set in the Kingdoms of Down waits your perfect choice for a truly wonderful Northern Ireland wedding reception or ceremony. More info
The ideal spot for unique weddings in Newcastle, Co Down. Offering sea and mountain views More info
The Old Inn enjoys a peaceful rural setting in the idyllic village of Crawfordsburn, near Bangor. It combines exacting modern standards of service and efficiency with the traditional and mellow atmosphere of beamed ceilings and log fires. More info
The ideal wedding venue to start your new life together, nestled along the scenic North Down coast. More info
Wedding Venue in County Down, Northern Ireland. From intimate gatherings, civil ceremonies to grande receptions, La Mon provides packages to suit every individual wedding. More info
Unique & exclusive venues in Mansion House, Theatre or gardens, stunning views over Strangford Lough, for civil or religious ceremonies & wedding receptions . More info
Larchfield Estate is a private, family run estate which opened in 2007 for weddings in the converted barn, multiple courtyards, stables building and walled gardens. More info
Registrar office in Banbridge More info
Rowallane Garden a unique Wedding venue in Co Down, Northern Ireland. Licensed for ceremonies of up to 90 guests with your celebrations thereafter up to 120 guests in a marquee. More info
With stunning views and outstanding service, Clandeboye Courtyard is an excellent wedding reception venue in Bangor, County Down. More info
Wedding venues licensed for civil ceremonies are the most popular.
If you want a ceremony in County Down that's legally binding without getting married in a church, and you’re getting married in England or Wales, 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.
There are hundreds of wedding venues in County Down with a civil ceremony license, but it’s important to check that your dream venue has one if you’re wanting a legally-binding ceremony. 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.
We're here to answer all of your questions on wedding venues licensed for civil ceremonies below...
Civil ceremony licensed wedding venues can range from a classic country house or barn to more unique venues including caves and safari parks. 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 County Down on Guides for Brides.
The local council determine if wedding venues in County Down are suitable for a civil ceremony license. 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. If you're wanting to have your wedding in a private home or in gardens, you will be unable to do this. The venue needs to be open to the public regularly. 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. If you're wanting to marry outside, it will need to be under a permanent structure, unlike a floral arch or an open beach setting. 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 County Down.
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. One advantage of a civil ceremony is there's the option to say what you wish as part of your wedding vows. There are some things that need to be legally stated for it to be legally binding but you can work around this. Find an abundance of venues licensed for civil ceremonies in County Down 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 County Down. If you would like to include religion in some way, you can have a religious blessing after your civil ceremony.
If you wish to get married in Scotland, there's many more venues that you can do this is. This is because in Scotland, humanist ceremonies are legally binding and in a humanist ceremony there's a lot more flexibility on what you and your partner can say. Unlike civil ceremonies, humanist weddings do not require specific wording, or for the ceremony to be under a permanent structure. Another benefit to having a humanist ceremony as opposed to a civil ceremony is that you are allowed to include religious elements such as religious music or readings.
