Apply to have a wedding location approved

​​​​​Step 1: apply for a location to be approved for marriage

You can only get married in a location that has been approved for marriage.

A location can be approved:

• for a single ceremony
• as a location for regular marriages
• as a place of religious worship

The location needs to be open to the public 1 hour before and throughout the ceremony, and cannot have food or drink within that area.

You will need to submit an application for your location to be approved at least 3 months before the date of your ceremony. It can take up to 2 months to get a location approved.​

Conditions of approval

For a location to be approved for marriage it needs to:

• be dignified in presentation, decoration and character
• have no food or drink (whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic) at, served or consumed in the location where the ceremony is to take place
• have clear boundaries which must match with the application, authorisation document and plan
• be accessible to any member of the public to attend the ceremony
  

Apply to have a location approved for marriage

Renew a 3 year approval

To renew a 3 year approval, you need to complete the same application form as when you first applied to have the location approved for marriage, as if it were a new application, this will include making a payment of £463.06.

The location will be inspected before approval is given. If approved, a new authorisation of approved location document will be issued.

Renew a location to be approved for marriage​​

Add an additio​​​nal area to an existing approved marriage location

You will need to apply to have an additional area of an approved marriage location, this will cost £110.38.

Apply for additional areas for an existing location​

​Step 2: assessment

Once we have received your application, we will send it to the constable of the relevant parish.

The constable may visit the location and consult with anyone who they think necessary.

Step 3: if your location gets approved

If the location is approved we will inform you and anyone who has been consulted or commented on the application.

We will post an authorisation for approved location document to you.

The authorisation document will include the details of:

• the name of the holder of the approval
  
• the name and number of the responsible person
  
• all areas approved for marriage
  
• any special conditions
• the type of approval and duration​