Civil marriage in an approved venue

Civil marriages can also take place in an approved venue which has been licensed to hold marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, subject to the availability of a Registrar.

Approved venues

The following venues have been approved by the Registrar to hold marriage and civil partnership ceremonies:

Belfast Castle

Europa Hotel

Glenowen Hotel

Malone Lodge Hotel

Malone House

The Kremlin

Ormeau Baths Gallery

Queen's University Belfast

Ulster Hall

Holiday Inn (Ormeau Road) Registrar's office

Park Avenue Hotel

Stormont Hotel

Ten Square

Wellington Park Hotel

Grand Opera House

Shu

Merchant Hotel

Hilton Belfast

Ulster Museum

Choosing a date

If you are planning on getting married in a year's time or longer, you can make a provisional booking. If you want a date within the next 12 months, you can also make a definite booking, subject to availability.

Easter to October is our busiest season and Fridays and Saturdays are particularly popular days. You are advised to book your ceremony as early as possible to secure the date and time you want.

When you make a booking with an approved venue, you will be given an AP1 form.

You should complete this as soon as possible, to enable the Registration office to see if a Registrar is available on your chosen date.

Available times

The ceremony may take place at 12pm or 3pm on weekdays, or 12pm or 3pm on Saturdays, depending on Registrar availability.

Fees payable

The following fees currently apply to civil marriages in one of our approved venues.

They should be submitted before your ceremony.

On the day

Full details of the ceremony format, including information about dress, music and flowers, are available in our civil marriage in an approved venue brochure. If you want to have your ceremony in an approved venue, you must complete the following form and return it to the Registrar at least two weeks before your ceremony, along with any outstanding documents.

Cancellation

If you change your plans or decide to postpone your ceremony, you must notify the Registrar as soon as possible.