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
Gray Manor is a brand new unique boutique wedding venue & hotel set in the heart of the countryside on the Hampshire/ Wiltshire border. If you’re looking for the perfect beautiful & romantic location for your big day, Gray Manor is the perfect. More info
Lainston House is a luxurious wedding venue in Hampshire. Licensed for Civil Ceremonies, this venue is also available for Exclusive Use. The 17th Century Dawley Barn is the perfect setting for your special day, with everything in one place. More info
Langrish House, near Petersfield, Hampshire, offers the perfect venue for your marriage ceremony, civil partnership and wedding reception. An historic country house set in beautiful gardens. Also available for exclusive use.Wedding venue in Hampshire More info
Looking for something new and unique for your wedding? Look no further. Southampton has a new Hotel, surrounded by water! We are a civil ceremony licensed venue so you can host your whole day here, from your wedding ceremony to your first dance. More info
Positioned on the banks of the River Blackwater in Yateley, Hampshire, you’ll find Rivervale Barn. A wedding venue full of natural charm and elegance, built with beautiful wedding ceremonies and receptions in mind. More info
With panoramic views across the rolling Hampshire Downs, Clock Barn is just the place for the couple looking for beauty, history and rustic charm on their wedding day. More info
Located in the exclusive market town of Farnham in Surrey, the Mercure Farnham Bush Hotel offers the perfect setting for your special day. We are a fully licensed wedding venue. More info
Horsebridge Station is a charmingly restored Victorian railway set in two acres of beautiful landscaped grounds. Licensed for civil ceremonies and with a marquee for up to 100 guests, this venue offers the flexibility to plan your day as you wish. More info
Wedding venue in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Queen's Hotel has a professional & dedicated team, experienced in all aspects of Wedding arrangement ,who would be delighted to advise & assist you with every detail to make the day a truly memorable occasion. More info
Set in the heart of Hampshire and with fantastic menus, contemporary function suites and superb service, at Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa we will do everything we can to ensure your day is truly memorable. 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
Solent Hotel & Spa is a luxury wedding venue in Whiteley that offers all the small details that make weddings exceptional. From the red carpet entrance to the midnight snacks; your special day is personalised to you. More info
We strive to provide each of our couples’ dream wedding day. We are licensed to hold civil ceremonies for up to 130 guests and wedding receptions for up to 200 guests, so you can hold your whole day of celebrations in one convenient location. More info
Perfect civil ceremony and wedding reception venue in Hampshire. More info
Looking for a luxury wedding venue in Hampshire, Aviator hotel by TAG is a luxury wedding venue on the Hampshire, Surrey Border. Innately stylish, combining grandeur with meticulous service, Aviator offers a number of stunning spaces for weddings. More info
A wedding by the sea? BEST WESTERN Royal Beach Hotel has been a popular wedding venue in Portsmouth for almost 150 years. Many happy couples have chosen this wonderful Victorian seafront hotel for their special day. 5 beautifully appointed suites More info
Unique wedding reception venue in Winchester Hampshire with stunning views of Winchester Cathedral. More info
Set in 123 acres, Pennyhill Park is a unique wedding venue licenced for civil ceremonies in Camberley, Surrey. Our dedicated wedding co-ordinator can provide ideas and quotes on receptions, guest accommodation and exclusive use for your special day. 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
We are a large wedding venue with a license for civil ceremonies. Offering you the chance to have your wedding in style at our historic Manor House. With 32 acres of stunning grounds to compliment your wedding photography. More info
A Grade I listed Mansion House wedding venue set within 130 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
The Winchester Hotel provides the perfect Wedding venue in Hampshire, offering an attractive function room for your Wedding Breakfast, complimented by 96 tastefully furnished bedrooms and luxury suites to accommodate the bridal party. More info
Froyle Park’s country estate available for weddings in Hampshire a short distance from London. This stunning wedding venue sets the perfect scene for your wedding day and evening reception. More info
What does it mean to be a licensed venue for civil ceremonies?
Having a civil ceremony is the perfect option for those of you who want a legal ceremony but without having to get married in a church or with a religious connection, 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 Hampshire 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.
Take a look at our FAQ below for everything you need to know about your civil ceremony licensed wedding venue.
Not just traditional wedding venues have civil ceremony licenses. Some more unique venues including safari parks, tree houses and beach venues have this license. 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. Some venues, you can only have a humanist or spiritual ceremony at, or just have your reception there. This is because they haven't paid for a civil ceremony license. We have all of the top venues licensed for civil ceremonies in Hampshire. Check them out.
When a venue in Hampshire applies for a civil ceremony license it needs to be assessed by the local council. 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 Hampshire.
The law does not consider marquees to be permanent structures, even ones that are up all year round. 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 Hampshire 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 Hampshire. 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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