In this directory we have endeavoured to list all licensed venues in Devon whether they be Castles, Old Manor Houses, Country House Hotels or just registry offices.
All the venues listed are licensed to conduct civil ceremonies. For further information about getting married at a licensed venue (approved premises) in England and Wales can be obtained from all Registry Offices (see separate page)
This article covers civil marriages at newly licensed venues in England and Wales only. Marriages solemnised at newly licensed venues, or approved premises as they are officially known, are civil ceremonies. No religious content whatsoever is allowed during the ceremony
Since April 1995, the Marriage Act of 1994 has permitted civil marriages to take place somewhere other than a register office. Attractive and romantic venues such as castles, stately and country homes can be licensed to allow civil marriage ceremonies to take place on their premises. As at March 2000, there were over 3,000 approved premises throughout England and Wales. Understandably, the number of approved venues is growing rapidly due to their attractiveness as compared to register offices.
There are many restrictions on approved premises. For example, licences will not be granted to: private residences or buildings (as free public access must always be guaranteed); open spaces such as parks and sports fields; where there is a licensed bar in the marriage room (even if a shutter or folding door can be closed); mobile premises like ships, boats or aircraft (unless permanently fixed or moored). The building must not have any religious connections, both past and present, and it must be deemed 'fit and suitable' and not 'degenerate the solemn institution of marriage'. The designated marriage room in the building may not be used for any other purpose during the ceremony and no hymns or religious readings and music is permitted.
Please note, contrary to what you may occasionally read in the press, it is not possible to get married by civil ceremony outdoors anywhere in the United Kingdom.
To obtain a full list of the addresses and telephone numbers of approved premises, you need to send a cheque or postal order, made payable to 'Office for National Statistics' for £5.00 to:
Local Services,
Office for National Statistics,
Smedley Hydro,
Trafalgar Road,
Southport,
PR8 2HH,
United Kingdom.
The legal requirements
The legal requirements for getting married at an approved premise are the same as for civil marriages in England and Wales but with the added requirement of having to arrange for a superintendent registrar and a registrar's attendance to conduct and record the service. However, your ceremony can be more romantic and leisurely than in a register office and it can be as formal or casual as you wish. With the permission of the attending registrar, it is possible to enhance the standard civil ceremony by having your own choice of non-religious music, poetry and prose readings and for your ceremony to be photographed or videoed. It is also possible to have your own choice of vows and promises that have a special meaning to both of you, although these will be in addition to the statutory declaratory and contracting words that are required to be said by both of you for your marriage to be legal.
The advantages of using an approved premise
Approved premises offer much greater flexibility with the time and day you can get married. Although it has always been possible for civil marriages to be conducted between the hours of 8am and 6pm seven days a week, the register office's opening hours are the limiting factor (usually all day Monday to Friday and Saturday morning). Approved premises, however, will generally be available for the full period of time allowed thus enabling you to get married on a Saturday afternoon, a Sunday or Public and Bank holidays (subject to a superintendent registrar agreeing to be present to conduct your ceremony).
A further advantage is that your ceremony and reception can all be held in one place. You therefore do away with the hassle of first going to a register office, which can seem a bit like a cattle market, and then everyone having to move on to the reception venue (hoping no one gets lost or breaks down en route!). Also, most register offices can only accommodate between 20 to 40 people whereas approved premises can usually take between 50 and 200 people for both your ceremony and reception. So all your family and friends can witness your marriage and then celebrate with you.
Marriages at approved premises give you tremendous scope to theme your wedding day, particularly if you both share an interest or hobby or always dreamed of getting married in a past era. Why not consider a Regency style wedding to suit a Georgian venue? You could even get married at a castle or palace and dress as a prince and 
princess or have a TV or movie theme such as Pride and Prejudice.
The possibilities are endless with a creative mind and such a variety of venues around the country. There are many costume hire companies throughout the UK that will supply you (and your guests!) with the look to suit your venue or theme.
