Approved premises

Types of venues

Civil marriages

Civil marriages take place between 8am and 8pm on any day of the week, including Sundays, bank and national holidays. Ceremonies outside these core hours will need to be assessed on an individual basis.

All civil marriages are solemnised by a Superintendent Registrar and registered by a Registrar of Marriages. The staff are provided and will typically arrive at the venue 30 to 60 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

We will endeavour to provide staff to carry out the ceremony if a couple can legally marry. However, on days when there are many bookings, we may ask that the timings are altered to meet demand.

Civil partnerships

Civil partnerships occur between the core hours of 8am and 8pm on any day of the week, including Sundays, bank, and national holidays.

Unlike a civil marriage, a civil partnership is legalised by a formation. A couple may wish to enhance their formation with a ceremony which we are happy to provide.

We will endeavour to provide staff to complete the formation if a couple can legally form a civil partnership. However, on days where there are many bookings, we may ask that the timings are altered to meet demand.

A Civil Partnership Registrar forms all civil partnerships; they will endeavour to arrive at the venue 30 – 60 minutes before the start of the ceremony or formation.

Other ceremonies

In addition to civil marriage and partnership ceremonies/formations, other ceremonies may be held at licensed venues.

These currently include the following:

  • Renewal of vows – these are for couples who wish to renew their marriage or civil partnership vow. They may take place on anniversaries, where the couple has had a ceremony abroad or at certain events in a couple's relationship.
  • Naming ceremonies – these are for parents who wish to have a nonreligious ceremony to welcome a new addition to the family. This could be a new baby, an adopted child or where the parents are re-marrying or entering into a partnership and wish to welcome the children from previous marriages/relationships into the new family unit. This ceremony can be held following a marriage or civil partnership ceremony/formation.

These ceremonies have no legal basis. Although the preferred option is to perform them in the room/area agreed for ceremonies, they can take place in any other approved room/area within the venue or grounds, subject to the fine weather. These ceremonies cannot include any religious content.

Fees

Fees for licensing venues and fees for ceremonies are set annually and are payable upon application.

For ceremonies or formations, the couple or person booking the ceremony is responsible for paying the fee to us directly.

Licensing fees for new approved venue including one room

  • £1500

Extra fees for additional rooms (at time of application)

  • £50 per room

Licensing fees for renewal of existing approved venues

  • £1500

Term of licence

  • three years

Amendment to licence: Change of holder (transfer or new business)

  • £150
  • Licence to be reissued with correct information. To be signed, witnessed, and returned.

Amendment to licence: Rebrand (change of premises name)

  • £150
  • Licence to be reissued with correct information. To be signed, witnessed, and returned.

Amendment to licence: Rooms added during term of licence

  • £200 includes one room and £50 for each additional room
  • Premises visit and licence to be reissued. To be signed, witnessed, and returned. New licence notice issued for display.

Partnership

We intend that the licensing of a venue should work as a partnership between ourselves and the venue. Working individually and together to promote being married in Lincolnshire and provide couples with a range of venues to celebrate their ceremony.

We are committed to providing an effective backup and support network which includes:

  • promoting licensed venues
  • 365 days of attendance at licensed venues for civil marriages, partnerships and other ceremonies
  • seek to improve the licensed venue system continuously

Licensed venues are expected to:

  • abide by conditions and requirements set by the local authority
  • show integrity and commitment in dealing with couples/parents wishing to hold a ceremony at their venue
  • be fair, responsive, and courteous in the delivery of a quality service
  • be professional and have well informed employees who take pride in what they do
  • notify couples/parents of any limitations or conditions applying to the venue in respect of civil marriage, civil partnership and other ceremonies