www.wiltshire.gov.uk

• Accessibility Help
• Main content of page
• Main navigation of page
• Turn off accessibilty style

Action Navigation

• About Us
• What's new
• News
• Whats On
• Links
• Contact Us

Secondary Navigation

Approved Venues for Marriage or Civil Partnership Ceremonies

Summary of Service

The application procedure for approval is very straightforward and advice is available throughout the process.

Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships venues may be all 'shapes and sizes' and do not need to be able to offer reception facilities. There are a number of venues that concentrate on ceremonies only.

The County Council will provide staff to conduct a ceremony and register a marriage or civil partnership.

The approval application process normally takes up to six weeks to complete. Unfortunately no bookings can be confirmed until the approval has been granted and therefore it is essential for prospective applicants to submit their application early if they have potential couples.

The approval granted to a venue lasts for three years and is renewable.

Needs

Complete an application form called Application for Premises to be Approved as a Venue for Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships and send with the following:

• 3 copies of a plan of the premises showing the room(s) in which it is intended that ceremonies will take place;
• Copies of current health, safety and fire certificates
• Cheque for £1,500.

Payment

The fee is £1,500. This must be submitted in the form of a cheque to Wiltshire County Council with the application form.

PLEASE NOTE - All fees are liable to be increased on 1st April each year.

Eligibility

An approved venue must be a permanent structure comprising of at least one room and must provide a 'seemly and dignified' place where civil ceremonies can be performed. This does not include temporary structures such as tents or marquees or structures that are capable of being moved or structures that are open to the elements, such as gazebos or verandas.

The premises must also have no recent or continuing connection with any religion, religious practice or religious persuasion that would be incompatible with its use as an approved venue.

There must be at least one room and this is where the ceremonies will take place. There can be as many approved rooms as the venue requires. They are not required to be dedicated solely for ceremony use and certification as an approved room should in no way affect the normal other business of the venue . If the intended room contains a bar, it would be necessary to screen the bar off in some way. The minimum availability of the room is one hour before the ceremony and until its completion, during which time no food or drink may be sold or consumed.

How to do this  

For an information pack, which includes the application form contact using the details below:

Contact Details

By Post
Statutory & Support Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

By Email
ceremonies@wiltshire.gov.uk

By Telephone
01225 718029

By Fax
01225 756186

  Back to top