Civil Wedding Venues
An approved civil wedding venue is one that has been licensed for civil marriage ceremonies - such as a stately home or hotel. The legal requirements are the same as for register office weddings.
- Notice is given at the couple's local registries but, apart from organising for the local registrar to attend the ceremony, there is no requirement to give formal notice to the superintendent registrar of the registration district.
- Once the superintendent registrar has been booked, the venue can be confirmed.
- Licensed venues have the benefit of more flexible hours than register offices, but the marriage must still take place within the legal times.
- The ceremony can be more relaxed and leisurely than in a register office, and some formalities can be dispensed with.
- The attending registrar must approve all choices and, so long as he or she is amenable, non-religious music and readings can be used.
- It may also be possible for a couple to write their own vows and promises; these are used in addition to the statutory declaratory and contracting words that are legally required to be said by the bride and groom.
- Often approved civil ceremony venues will host both the ceremony and the reception, as well as provide accommodation for the wedding party and guests.
