Approved venues

Arranging your ceremony at an approved venue

If you are considering a date to have your ceremony at an approved venue, contact the registration office for availability and advice.

Email us at [email protected] and provide a contact telephone number.

It is very important that you check the availability of a Registrar for the day of your ceremony and your chosen location before you pay a deposit with the venue. Ceremonies can be held at 12 noon or 3pm, Monday to Saturday. 

Approved venues in Belfast

There are several places in Belfast which have licences to hold civil marriage and partnership ceremonies, subject to the availability of a registrar. You can view a full list of venues on nidirect's website (link opens in new window).

Fees for approved venues

These prices are effective from 1 July 2024 and apply to civil weddings and civil partnerships in an approved venue.

Fees should be paid when you're returning your notice forms before your ceremony.

For more information about our fees, email [email protected] or call 028 9027 0455.

Details of your ceremony

You can find details of the ceremony format, including information about your dress, music and flowers in our marriages and civil partnerships brochure. 

Three-year marriage and civil partnership licences for venues

Under the Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, we can grant other venues, such as hotels and restaurants, a three-year licence to hold civil marriage and partnership ceremonies, subject to a successful application.

A three-year licence to hold civil marriage and partnership ceremonies costs £400. 

Email [email protected] or call 028 9027 0455 with your contact details to request an application form. You will need to provide certain documentation with your application.

Timescales

We will assess and acknowledge your application within ten days of receiving it. A decision will be made within three months, provided all the necessary requirements have been met.

We may also inspect your premises to make sure they comply with health and safety laws.

If your application is rejected, we will notify you in writing with a reason why your application wasn’t successful. 

Under the Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, we have to give public notice of all three-year applications. This means that members of the public have the right to object to your application, once public notice has been given.