The Hop Farm is Kent's leading wedding venue. The historic buildings & exquisitely manicured wedding gardens. provide the ultimate backdrop for your special day and the first-class hospitality and catering team provide outstanding food and drink. More info
The Hop Farm is Kent's leading wedding venue. The historic buildings & exquisitely manicured wedding gardens. provide the ultimate backdrop for your special day and the first-class hospitality and catering team provide outstanding food and drink. More info
Nestled in the South Downs countryside close to Worthing, West Sussex. Complete with Indoor and out door ceremony license and a host of complimentary additions, Long Furlong Barn is the perfect rustic countryside venue for your wedding. More info
Nestled in the South Downs countryside close to Worthing, West Sussex. Complete with Indoor and out door ceremony license and a host of complimentary additions, Long Furlong Barn is the perfect rustic countryside venue for your wedding. 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
Slaugham Place is a delightful garden marquee wedding venue near Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Get married under the historic stone arches in Elizabethan manor ruins surrounded by peaceful, private and magical water gardens. More info
Slaugham Place is a delightful garden marquee wedding venue near Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Get married under the historic stone arches in Elizabethan manor ruins surrounded by peaceful, private and magical water gardens. More info
Perfect Barn for a Lovely Wedding Venue in Ticehurst East Sussex. Civil ceremony venue is East Sussex. Perfect for your wedding day. More info
Perfect Barn for a Lovely Wedding Venue in Ticehurst East Sussex. Civil ceremony venue is East Sussex. Perfect for your wedding day. More info
A country house wedding venue licensed for indoor and outdoor ceremonies offering tailor made receptions and exclusive use; large gardens, parking. Uckfield, East Sussex More info
A country house wedding venue licensed for indoor and outdoor ceremonies offering tailor made receptions and exclusive use; large gardens, parking. Uckfield, East Sussex More info
The perfect wedding venue in Sussex. There are few venues that can offer such magic memories, bespoke service and superb photo opportunities as Battle Abbey. It’s also probably more affordable than you think… More info
The perfect wedding venue in Sussex. There are few venues that can offer such magic memories, bespoke service and superb photo opportunities as Battle Abbey. It’s also probably more affordable than you think… More info
Alfriston, one of England’s prettiest villages, is nestled at the foot of a particularly beautiful part of the South Downs National Park, meaning photographic opportunities are truly phenomenal. More info
Alfriston, one of England’s prettiest villages, is nestled at the foot of a particularly beautiful part of the South Downs National Park, meaning photographic opportunities are truly phenomenal. More info
Pelham House is a beautiful 16th-century wedding venue situated in the charming town of Lewes, East Sussex that is currently undergoing an incredible transformation. More info
Pelham House is a beautiful 16th-century wedding venue situated in the charming town of Lewes, East Sussex that is currently undergoing an incredible transformation. More info
The new Brighton Harbour Hotel is located on its famous seafront, just minutes from the iconic Brighton Pier and the new i360. More info
The new Brighton Harbour Hotel is located on its famous seafront, just minutes from the iconic Brighton Pier and the new i360. More info
A luxury Wedding Venue, in Horsham, Sussex. South Lodge also had a civil ceremony license. This beautiful venue offers exclusive use and also has guest accommodation available. More info
A luxury Wedding Venue, in Horsham, Sussex. South Lodge also had a civil ceremony license. This beautiful venue offers exclusive use and also has guest accommodation available. More info
No ordinary wedding venue in East Sussex. A gorgeous and quirky sixteenth century coaching inn wedding venue, licensed for civil ceremonies set in the beautiful East Sussex countryside, on the out skirts of Kent. More info
No ordinary wedding venue in East Sussex. A gorgeous and quirky sixteenth century coaching inn wedding venue, licensed for civil ceremonies set in the beautiful East Sussex countryside, on the out skirts of Kent. More info
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne is a 4 Star property set in private gardens overlooking the sea. It offers a licenced Coastal Terrace outdoor venue with the sea as a backdrop, 3 function rooms and 82 bedrooms including bridal suites. More info
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne is a 4 Star property set in private gardens overlooking the sea. It offers a licenced Coastal Terrace outdoor venue with the sea as a backdrop, 3 function rooms and 82 bedrooms including bridal suites. More info
Northease Manor is a wedding venue in East Sussex available for wedding receptions and special occasions. Circa Events has built its reputation by creating some of the most memorable and highly praised wedding breakfasts in the South East. More info
Northease Manor is a wedding venue in East Sussex available for wedding receptions and special occasions. Circa Events has built its reputation by creating some of the most memorable and highly praised wedding breakfasts in the South East. More info
Laughton Barns Wedding Venue is set in East Sussex and only only 20 minutes from Brighton. Circa Events wedding catering has built its reputation by creating some of the most memorable and highly praised wedding breakfasts in the South East. More info
Laughton Barns Wedding Venue is set in East Sussex and only only 20 minutes from Brighton. Circa Events wedding catering has built its reputation by creating some of the most memorable and highly praised wedding breakfasts in the South East. More info
Begin your “happily ever after” in your own bespoke style at The Oak Barn-be it a lavish banquet or relaxed rustic wedding. Our exclusive use farm, featuring two spectacularly restored barns and a weaving house, is the perfect venue for Your Wedding. More info
Begin your “happily ever after” in your own bespoke style at The Oak Barn-be it a lavish banquet or relaxed rustic wedding. Our exclusive use farm, featuring two spectacularly restored barns and a weaving house, is the perfect venue for Your Wedding. More info
The perfect location for an outdoor wedding ceremony in the heart of Sussex. Lewes Castle is a licensed wedding venue with ceremonies taking place at the top of the historic Keep with stunning hill top views. More info
The perfect location for an outdoor wedding ceremony in the heart of Sussex. Lewes Castle is a licensed wedding venue with ceremonies taking place at the top of the historic Keep with stunning hill top views. More info
Michelham Priory is a beautiful Medieval estate set on its own peaceful island in the heart of the Sussex countryside. Licenced for wedding ceremonies in the grand Elizabethan Barn or stunning Priors Chamber. More info
Michelham Priory is a beautiful Medieval estate set on its own peaceful island in the heart of the Sussex countryside. Licenced for wedding ceremonies in the grand Elizabethan Barn or stunning Priors Chamber. More info
Drakes combines stunning design, an unbeatable seaside location, exemplary dining and Exclusive Use of “the complete house” ensuring total privacy and our undivided attention. More info
Drakes combines stunning design, an unbeatable seaside location, exemplary dining and Exclusive Use of “the complete house” ensuring total privacy and our undivided attention. More info
Exclusive Grade I listed Regency Town House overlooking the Angel Peace statue on Brighton and Hove’s iconic seafront. With its picture postcard location & suite of magical rooms the house makes a spectacular wedding venue in East Sussex. More info
Exclusive Grade I listed Regency Town House overlooking the Angel Peace statue on Brighton and Hove’s iconic seafront. With its picture postcard location & suite of magical rooms the house makes a spectacular wedding venue in East Sussex. More info
Large Hotel wedding venue by the seaside in Eastbourne, Sussex. Licensed for Ceremonies, available for wedding breakfast and reception should you wish to tie the knot in your local church or registry office. More info
Large Hotel wedding venue by the seaside in Eastbourne, Sussex. Licensed for Ceremonies, available for wedding breakfast and reception should you wish to tie the knot in your local church or registry office. More info
The George in Rye offers the perfect wedding venue set in the heart of Rye, East Sussex,close to the Kent border. Our original Georgian Ballroom is licensed for civil ceremonies. It is truly one of the most romantic wedding venues in Sussex and Kent More info
The George in Rye offers the perfect wedding venue set in the heart of Rye, East Sussex,close to the Kent border. Our original Georgian Ballroom is licensed for civil ceremonies. It is truly one of the most romantic wedding venues in Sussex and Kent More info
Eastbourne wedding venue based in Eastbourne East Sussex. Licensed for civil ceremonies More info
Eastbourne wedding venue based in Eastbourne East Sussex. Licensed for civil ceremonies More info
The beauitful Georgian building provides a unique and stunning venue for your ceremony. We are also able to offer the exclusive services of the Town Crier on your special day to announce your marriage to the town! More info
The beauitful Georgian building provides a unique and stunning venue for your ceremony. We are also able to offer the exclusive services of the Town Crier on your special day to announce your marriage to the town! More info
Wedding venues licensed for civil ceremonies are the most popular.
If you want to have your marriage ceremony and reception all in one venue in Sussex - East, 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 Sussex - East 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.
Take a look at our FAQ below for everything you need to know about your civil ceremony licensed wedding venue.
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. 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.
If a wedding venue in Sussex - East 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 Sussex - East.
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. What you say during your ceremony can be changed to a certain degree. Ask your registrar about what needs to be included and work around that to make your own words and promises.
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 Sussex - East. 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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