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Licensed wedding venues in Essex

89 venues in Essex hold an in-date approval for civil marriages and civil partnerships on the GOV.UK approved premises list (file dated 17 Oct 2025; expiry dates checked 25 Oct 2026). Essex here means the area of Essex County Council. Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock are separate unitary councils with their own registration services and their own pages.

Map loads when you scroll here (89 venues with coordinates).

Venue styles

Our classification from venue names. Check with each venue.

Country house & manor36
Other venue19
Hotel10
Barn8
Museum & heritage4
Register office4
Golf & country club4
Pub & restaurant2
Garden & outdoor2

Venues by district

Chelmsford14
Uttlesford11
Colchester10
Epping Forest10
Maldon10
Rochford8
Braintree8
Brentwood7
Tendring3
Basildon3
Harlow3
Castle Point2

Registrar fees at approved venues

Essex County Council’s registrar fee for a ceremony at an approved venue, 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027: Monday to Thursday £750, Friday £770, Saturday £800, Sunday and bank holidays £840. Ceremonies after 5pm cost extra, ceremonies booked under 56 days ahead carry a £150 administration charge, and bookings more than 6 months ahead need a non-refundable deposit of half the fee. 2027/28 and 2028/29 fees are also published (Monday to Thursday £775 and £800). (source: Essex County Council: approved venues and registrar fees, read 25 Oct 2026)

On top of that you each pay the national notice fee. National statutory fees from 6 April 2026: notice £46.50 per person (£63 if a Home Office referral applies), register office statutory ceremony £62, certificate £12.50 (Registration Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (legislation.gov.uk)). Venue hire is always separate.

Register offices and ceremony rooms on the list

Capacity, as stated by venues

Prices, as published by venues

Quoted word for word with the date we read them; not ranked, because packages differ.

Licences expiring by Oct 2027 (46)

If your date is after the expiry, ask the venue whether it has applied to renew.

FAQ

How many licensed wedding venues are there in Essex?

89 venues hold an in-date approval on the GOV.UK approved premises list (file dated 17 Oct 2025). The council’s own list may include newer approvals.

How much does a registrar cost at a venue in Essex?

Essex County Council’s registrar fee for a ceremony at an approved venue, 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027: Monday to Thursday £750, Friday £770, Saturday £800, Sunday and bank holidays £840. Ceremonies after 5pm cost extra, ceremonies booked under 56 days ahead carry a £150 administration charge, and bookings more than 6 months ahead need a non-refundable deposit of half the fee. 2027/28 and 2028/29 fees are also published (Monday to Thursday £775 and £800). Source: Essex County Council: approved venues and registrar fees.

Can we marry outdoors?

Only in an outdoor area the council has approved at that venue. Ask the venue and check the council register.

How far ahead do we give notice?

At least 28 full days before the ceremony, at your local register office (GOV.UK).

Is the register office cheaper?

Yes. The statutory register office ceremony is £62 plus £46.50 notice each and £12.50 per certificate under the national fees.

All 89 venues

Browse Essex venue cards Comparison table

See also: register office wedding cost · how to check a venue is licensed · register office finder

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