To hold a civil or religious ceremony at premises in England or Wales, the premises must be approved by your local authority.
Registering a building of worship
Before a religious wedding can be held at a church/chapel, the building must be a certified building of worship.
Civil ceremonies
Hotels/property must be registered to hold civil ceremonies.
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 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.
A fee will be payable.
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
A fee may be payable.
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.
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
For more information and an application form, contact
Registration Services, Registration Office, Shire Hall, Llangefni, Anglesey. LL77 7TW
Tel: (01248) 724762
Please contact your Local Authority 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.
Please contact your Local Authority 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
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, Citizens Advice will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.