Wedding venue in Malton, North Yorkshire. Licensed for Civil Ceremonies. More info
This stunning slice of Lakeland heaven sits atop a six-acre eerie overlooking the rolling hills of Windermere; recently voted Cumbria's No.1 Wedding Venue. Perfect for those looking for an exclusive hire wedding venue in the Lake District. More info
The Yorkshire Dales newest, most fabulous wedding venue. Fully refurbished from top to bottom, it is glamorous and stylish with lots of contemporary twists. Available for exclusive use and holds a wedding ceremony license. More info
Character, style, a Chapel for wedding blessings and its very own Love Island, award winning Rudding Park offers weddings designed to reflect your personality, whether its a traditional wedding, informal and interactive or a bespoke wedding. More info
Former horse stud converted into a unique wedding venue near York Barn weddings in Yorkshire 50 to 300 plus capacity Heated & air conditioned Inside & Outside licensed bar Ceremony license outdoor & indoor weddings Countryside weddings, York More info
Chilli Barn is a Wharfedale stone barn, lovingly converted for weddings in Otley, West Yorkshire. Our barn offers a charming, intimate atmosphere in a dramatic rural setting, efficient, friendly service & delicious vegetarian catering. More info
Resplendent in its Art Deco architecture, the Sun Pavilion is a fairy-tale venue for your Wedding Ceremony and Reception. More info
The Devonshire Fell is just a few miles outside of the Bolton Abbey Estate, nestled in the picturesque village of Burnsall. Distinct from other Yorkshire Dales hotels, however, this boutique hotel is styled to offer city chic in the countryside. More info
All you need from a wedding venue, Devonshire Arms Country House is a beautiful venue with a license for civil ceremonies in Skipton, North Yorkshire. More info
Owned and cared for by the National Trust, Ormesby Hall is a flexible wedding space. Marry in the Hall itself and hold your reception in the Marquee on the lawn, exclusivity comes as standard. A venue that offers your day, your way. More info
We are on hand to help you plan your special day with attentiveness and detail. Our packages can be built around your requirements to help create the day you always dreamed of. More info
Unique Wedding reception venue licenced for weddings in Ravenscar, Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Dramatically situated 600 feet above sea level overlooking Robin Hood's Bay in the North York Moors National Park & midway between Whitby & Scarborough. More info
A romantic, intimate wedding barn venue in Wigginton, Nr.York. Available for wedding receptions and holds a license for civil ceremonies, with beautiful surroundings. More info
With the magnificent backdrop of Barden Tower, the Priests House is ideally located for a private and exclusive wedding and reception in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The recently renovated chapel is quite stunning allowing for up to 70 guests. More info
Hotel catering for Weddings from 30-200 people. licensed to hold your Ceremony with us (optional), we guarantee you are the only Wedding Party on the day. The Maltby Suite has private bar, starlit dance floor, private patio & gardens More info
Coming Soon, Spring 2019; Grade ll* listed Hall and luxury wedding venue. Nestled in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, you will find the enchanting retreat that is Grantley Hall. A stunning, five star, luxury country house hotel and spa. More info
A memorable wedding venue set in a picturesque and tranquil setting among the Yorkshire countryside. Wedding venue available for wedding receptions & licensed for civil ceremonies in North Yorkshire. More info
Sporting wedding venue in York. North Yorkshire. More info
Our coastal location in Whitby, is perfect for small, intimate wedding ceremonies in the Lake House. Larger weddings are in the House, and we have an outdoor ceremony license for those warmer days! Access to the beach for your wedding photography. More info
A historic castle wedding venue in the Yorkshire Dales. Licensed for ceremonies and available with exclusive use. More info
One of the most romantic settings imaginable. A country Wedding Venue, nestled in 1400 acres of stunning Yorkshire Dales scenery. Available for wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions based near Skipton, North Yorkshire. More info
With amazing views of Scarborough's South Bay this beautiful nineteenth century pavilion wedding venue is available for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions. More info
Crathorne Hall is a magnificent Edwardian country house set in 15 acres of stunning grounds and gardens. Just add our award winning food and friendly service and you have the ultimate wedding or civil partnership venue in Yarm. More info
A unique country mansion house wedding venue situated in beautifully landscaped grounds, in Harrogate, licensed for civil ceremonies. 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.
So many wedding venues in Yorkshire - North 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.
We're here to answer all of your questions on wedding venues licensed for civil ceremonies below...
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 you can only have your wedding reception at but you will have to check with the wedding venue itself. Take a look at our range of civil ceremony licensed venues in Yorkshire - North.
Every venue in Yorkshire - North is assessed and researched before they are approved for civil ceremonies. This is done by the local council in which the venue is based. 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. Due to the venue needing to be regularly open to the public to be an approved venue, you aren't able to legally marry in a private home or estate. 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 Yorkshire - North.
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. There is a degree of flexibility within these guidelines, and you can include your own promises as part of your wedding ceremony. Your registrar can guide you on what words need to be legally included.
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 Yorkshire - North. 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. You can also include religious elements in your humanist ceremony. If you’re a bride in Scotland, ask your wedding venue about what kind of ceremony would work best for you.
