What is a civil marriage?
A civil marriage is a legal marriage conducted by a registrar rather than a religious minister, with no religious content in the ceremony itself. It can take place at a register office or at any venue approved by the local authority for civil ceremonies, following the same notice and waiting-period rules as any other marriage in England and Wales.
What a civil ceremony contains
A civil ceremony includes the legal declarations and contracting words required by law, plus whatever readings, music and personal vows you choose, as long as none of it is religious in nature. Registrars can usually advise on what is and is not permitted.
Where civil ceremonies happen
Register offices host civil ceremonies as standard, but many couples choose an approved venue instead — a hotel, historic house, or other location licensed by its local authority for civil marriage. The registrars for that ceremony are provided by the registration service for the district the venue sits in.
Notice still applies
Choosing a civil ceremony does not change the preliminaries: you each still give notice in person at your own local register office and wait the statutory notice period before the ceremony can take place.
What this means for you
- An approved venue is booked separately from your notice appointments, and its registration district books your registrars.
- You can still choose readings and music, but nothing overtly religious is permitted in a civil ceremony.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026 · Next review due 17 November 2026
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Simply Married is an independent planning service, not a register office or government department. Confirm current requirements and fees with your own register office and on GOV.UK.