Unlicensed Venue Wedding Costs

A family garden, favourite café, private farm, village hall or somewhere that simply means the world to you.

With the option to get married almost anywhere, you complete the legal part of your marriage or civil partnership at a Suffolk Register Office. We then conduct a beautifully personal, celebrant-style ceremony at your home or another unlicensed location.

A weekday ceremony package costs from £830 for ceremonies taking place between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027. You will also need to pay a £100 location inspection fee, the fees to give Notice of Marriage or Civil Partnership and the cost of any certificates you require.

However, depending on your chosen venue, you will save extra fees such as venue hire, corkage or additional Add Ons, making this ceremony option potentially a low-cost way to get married.

The legal part taken care of. The celebration made entirely your own.

Unlicensed wedding venue ceremony fees 

1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027

Suffolk Registrars must assess your proposed ceremony location before it can be confirmed. This helps us establish whether the setting is safe, suitable and appropriate for the ceremony you are planning.

Your ceremony package includes

• the legal part of your marriage or civil partnership at a Suffolk Register Office, including the room hire for the ceremony room
• support with bringing the two parts of your wedding together
• a personal, celebrant-style ceremony at your agreed location
• guidance on personalising your celebration
• planning meeting with your dedicated Suffolk Registration Service celebrant
• your Suffolk Registrars ceremony team
• the legal registration of your marriage or civil partnership

Your ceremony at the unlicensed location is a personal celebration rather than the legal marriage itself. The legal ceremony must be completed separately at a Register Office as part of this two-part wedding option.

You will also need to budget for:

• Notice of Marriage or Civil Partnership: from £46.50 per person
• Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificates: £12.50 per certificate
• Location or venue hire: paid separately to the owner or venue, where applicable
• Wedding suppliers: such as photographers, florists, caterers and musicians
• Practical arrangements: such as seating, shelter, sound equipment, toilets or a wet-weather alternative
• Any permissions or insurance: required by the property or landowner

Notice fees can vary according to your individual circumstances. Additional legal-document charges may apply to some couples.

What could your unlicensed venue wedding cost?

Example: weekday ceremony

For a couple paying the standard notice fee and choosing a Monday-to-Friday ceremony between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027:

• Ceremony package: £830
• Location inspection fee: £100
• Notice of Marriage for person one: £46.50
• Notice of Marriage for person two: £46.50
• One marriage certificate: £12.50

Estimated total: £1,035.50

This example is based on the published charges for ceremonies taking place between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

The estimate does not include location hire, catering, furniture, shelter, decorations, photography or other wedding suppliers. Different notice fees and legal-document charges may apply depending on your circumstances.

Images courtesy of Lauren Elise Photography.

Found somewhere that feels like you?

Tell us about the garden, café, family property or unexpected place you have in mind.

Your plans do not need to be final before you contact us. Share what you know so far and our team will explain the location assessment, legal ceremony and next steps.