Civil ceremony or wedding venue licence

Licence summary

To hold a civil ceremony or wedding at premises in England or Wales, they must be approved by your local authority.

Eligibility Criteria
You must be the proprietor or a trustee of the premises to apply for permission to hold civil ceremonies or weddings.

The application must be in writing (including by electronic means) and include:

• the name and address of the applicant
• such other information as the local authority requires
• a plan of the premises which clearly identifies the room or rooms in which the proceedings will occur

Regulation Summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Application Evaluation Process
Your premises will be inspected.

Your application and plan will be made available to the public for inspection and public notice of the application put in a local newspaper as part of a public consultation process.

To be granted you application must be in the correct format and your premises deemed suitable.

However your application may still be refused if it is felt that there are too many approved premises in the area for the registrars to attend.

Conditions may be imposed to your approval.

The Registrar General may issue guidance to local authorities to assist them in making their decision.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period. The target completion period is 35 days.

Apply online

Please note the application fee is £1500.  The licence is valid for 3 years. (This fee is payable by the venue to be licenced, not by the couple wishing to hold a ceremony at the licenced venue.)
Apply for approval of premises as a venue for marriages and civil partnerships

Tell us about a change to your existing premises approval

Failed Application Redress
Please contact us in the first instance.

You have the right to seek a review of the local authority's refusal to grant your application.

You must deliver your request for review to the proper officer of the local authority, accompanied by any requested fee.

Licence Holder Redress
Please contact us in the first instance.

You have the right to seek a review of the local authority's imposition of conditions, refusal to renew or revocation of approval.

You must deliver your request for review to the proper officer of the local authority, accompanied by any requested fee.

Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other Redress
If you object to an application for premises approval you may give notice to the local authority within 21 days of the notice of application appearing in the local newspaper.

Trade Associations
Hotel Marketing Association

EUGO (European Union Go) gives service providers and entrepreneurs from the EU (European Union) and EEA (European Economic Area) the information and support they need to set up or do business in other EU or EEA markets. Central EUGO website portal.