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
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
Botleys Mansion is a grand country house wedding venue available for exclusive use for weddings, in Chertsey, Surrey. Licensed for Civil Ceremonies, this luxurious wedding reception venue is an ideal mixture of old and new. More info
Botleys Mansion is a grand country house wedding venue available for exclusive use for weddings, in Chertsey, Surrey. Licensed for Civil Ceremonies, this luxurious wedding reception venue is an ideal mixture of old and new. More info
Nonsuch Mansion is completely exclusive This not only means that yours will be the only wedding taking place at the spectacular mansion, but you will also enjoy the undivided attention of our expert wedding team. More info
Nonsuch Mansion is completely exclusive This not only means that yours will be the only wedding taking place at the spectacular mansion, but you will also enjoy the undivided attention of our expert wedding team. More info
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
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
Horsley Towers is an exclusive use wedding venue in East Horsley. With pictoresque grounds to create your stunning wedding photgraphy. With a civil ceremony licence across 3 function rooms across the estate! Horsley Towers is simply the perfect venue More info
Horsley Towers is an exclusive use wedding venue in East Horsley. With pictoresque grounds to create your stunning wedding photgraphy. With a civil ceremony licence across 3 function rooms across the estate! Horsley Towers is simply the perfect venue More info
Award winning exclusive use wedding venue in East Sussex. Saltcote Place offers magical far reaching views, formal gardens, and exclusive use. We give you the time and tools needed to create something magical. Late checkout, early check in and more. More info
Award winning exclusive use wedding venue in East Sussex. Saltcote Place offers magical far reaching views, formal gardens, and exclusive use. We give you the time and tools needed to create something magical. Late checkout, early check in and more. More info
In the heart of 400 acres of stunning countryside, Sunbury is the perfect place for your big day, with endless photo opportunities across our facilities for a captivating wedding album. More info
In the heart of 400 acres of stunning countryside, Sunbury is the perfect place for your big day, with endless photo opportunities across our facilities for a captivating wedding album. More info
Overlooking Bushy Park Hampton Court House is a stunning Georgian mansion set within 18th Century gardens. This is the perfect venue! More info
Overlooking Bushy Park Hampton Court House is a stunning Georgian mansion set within 18th Century gardens. This is the perfect venue! More info
Located in the heart of the Surrey countryside, Millbridge court offers exclusive-use hire and combines traditional architecture with contemporary and elegantly finished design. More info
Located in the heart of the Surrey countryside, Millbridge court offers exclusive-use hire and combines traditional architecture with contemporary and elegantly finished design. More info
Reigate Manor is a beautiful 18th Century manor house in the heart of Surrey. With 5 different rooms licensed for civil ceremonies and 50 bedrooms the venue can take care of your whole day. More info
Reigate Manor is a beautiful 18th Century manor house in the heart of Surrey. With 5 different rooms licensed for civil ceremonies and 50 bedrooms the venue can take care of your whole day. More info
Chobham Golf Club provides an excellent venue for your wedding day with the Clubhouse set in an ideal location with ample parking. The Montgomerie Suite has its own private bar for your exclusive use for the day, and can seat up to 140 people. More info
Chobham Golf Club provides an excellent venue for your wedding day with the Clubhouse set in an ideal location with ample parking. The Montgomerie Suite has its own private bar for your exclusive use for the day, and can seat up to 140 people. More info
The perfect wedding venue with a civil ceremony license, surrounded by the beautiful country side. Holding up to 200 guests, the Tithe Barn is perfect for large weddings while our Garden Room is perfectly suited for more intimate weddings. More info
The perfect wedding venue with a civil ceremony license, surrounded by the beautiful country side. Holding up to 200 guests, the Tithe Barn is perfect for large weddings while our Garden Room is perfectly suited for more intimate weddings. More info
Warren House is a beautiful, Grade II listed wedding venue conveniently located in Surrey. Visit our website or call us on 0208 547 1777 to learn more about our spectacular setting, dedicated team and stunning facilities. More info
Warren House is a beautiful, Grade II listed wedding venue conveniently located in Surrey. Visit our website or call us on 0208 547 1777 to learn more about our spectacular setting, dedicated team and stunning facilities. More info
For the most stylish and unique of weddings, why not consider Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey. Licensed for Civil Ceremonies and wedding receptions. More info
For the most stylish and unique of weddings, why not consider Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge, Surrey. Licensed for Civil Ceremonies and wedding receptions. More info
Set within almost 10 acres of countryside, this unique hotel is newly refurbished and licensed for both indoor and outdoor civil weddings. With 53 luxury bedrooms, onsite deluxe catering and the option of exclusive use. More info
Set within almost 10 acres of countryside, this unique hotel is newly refurbished and licensed for both indoor and outdoor civil weddings. With 53 luxury bedrooms, onsite deluxe catering and the option of exclusive use. More info
Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa is the perfect wedding venue. Walking through the stunning landscaped gardens to an oak wood staircase and fireplace, this picturesque Grade II listed Victorian Manor House is the ideal backdrop for your wedding More info
Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa is the perfect wedding venue. Walking through the stunning landscaped gardens to an oak wood staircase and fireplace, this picturesque Grade II listed Victorian Manor House is the ideal backdrop for your 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
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
Set in the heart of the picturesque Halliloo Valley and boasting unspoilt views, Woldingham Golf Club is the ideal venue for your special day. Elegantly decorated with a lounge area and balconies providing outside seating and views across the course More info
Set in the heart of the picturesque Halliloo Valley and boasting unspoilt views, Woldingham Golf Club is the ideal venue for your special day. Elegantly decorated with a lounge area and balconies providing outside seating and views across the course More info
Nestled in the Surrey Hills, Wotton House is the perfect setting for your wedding day. Choose from indoor or outdoor ceremony spaces, enjoy our stunning Grade II listed gardens and 17th century details throughout add a touch of magic to your day. More info
Nestled in the Surrey Hills, Wotton House is the perfect setting for your wedding day. Choose from indoor or outdoor ceremony spaces, enjoy our stunning Grade II listed gardens and 17th century details throughout add a touch of magic to your day. More info
Coltsford Mill is a waterside barn wedding venue set in the valley of the River Eden. The barn overlooks cascades and waterfalls and is surrounded by an area of lush, natural beauty. It is a beautiful lakeside setting with lovely, rural views. More info
Coltsford Mill is a waterside barn wedding venue set in the valley of the River Eden. The barn overlooks cascades and waterfalls and is surrounded by an area of lush, natural beauty. It is a beautiful lakeside setting with lovely, rural views. More info
Luxury hotel wedding venue in Guildford, Surrey with 183 beautifully decorated rooms for overnight guests, including bridal suites. Licensed to hold weddings with up to 160 guests (plus additional evening) and packages to suite all budgets More info
Luxury hotel wedding venue in Guildford, Surrey with 183 beautifully decorated rooms for overnight guests, including bridal suites. Licensed to hold weddings with up to 160 guests (plus additional evening) and packages to suite all budgets More info
Wedding Venue in Farnham, Surrey. We believe that the most important day of your life should be the most perfect. Over the years we have earned a reputation for weddings because of our picturesque location, excellent cuisine & attentive staff. More info
Wedding Venue in Farnham, Surrey. We believe that the most important day of your life should be the most perfect. Over the years we have earned a reputation for weddings because of our picturesque location, excellent cuisine & attentive staff. More info
Luxury Hotel & Country Club Licensed for Wedding Ceremonies and available for wedding breakfast and receptions, nestled deep within acres of Surrey's best countryside. More info
Luxury Hotel & Country Club Licensed for Wedding Ceremonies and available for wedding breakfast and receptions, nestled deep within acres of Surrey's best countryside. More info
A unique, privately owned, historic wedding venue in Surrey, with a license for civil ceremonies, a 17th century Tithe Barn and a two and a half acre walled garden surrounded by 1,400 acres of parkland. More info
A unique, privately owned, historic wedding venue in Surrey, with a license for civil ceremonies, a 17th century Tithe Barn and a two and a half acre walled garden surrounded by 1,400 acres of parkland. More info
Civil ceremony wedding venues are hugely popular throughout the UK. However, what exactly does it mean to be a licensed wedding venue?
If you want a ceremony in Surrey 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.
If your dream wedding venue isn't licensed for civil ceremonies, there's other options in Surrey. 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...
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. It costs wedding venues money to apply for a license, so some just host humanist or spiritual ceremonies, or simply host wedding receptions rather than ceremonies.
When a venue in Surrey 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. 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. You can't legally have a civil ceremony in an open area such as in open woodland or under a flower archway on the beach. It must be a fixed structure like a wooden gazebo that is separately licensed. 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 Surrey.
The law does not consider marquees to be permanent structures, even ones that are up all year round. If you want to hold your wedding in a marquee, it's best to get married in a nearby church or licensed venue indoors before the reception. 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 Surrey 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 Surrey. 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. When you've chosen your wedding venue in Scotland, speak to the staff to work out what ceremony will work best for you. You can even include religious readings in your humanist ceremony!
