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The Legislation changing Irish Weddings

Everything you need to know about the Civil Registration Act, 2004 and getting married in an alternative venue.

On November 5th the opportunity to get married at a hotel, country house or public building was opened to couples in Ireland. The Civil Registration Act, 2004 is reshaping Irish Civil Ceremonies, meaning engaged couples get far more options for their big day.

This is great news for brides and grooms that have always dreamed of getting married in a venue other than the church or registry office. It could mean you have your entire event at one venue, it could mean that you will be able to get married in a non-traditional place of worship or maybe Vegas style in a small chapel somewhere!

There are restrictions to where you can get married, make sure you are fully briefed to ensure everything goes smoothly for your alternative venue wedding.

Firstly, you need to make sure the venue you have chosen is approved by the HSE. This means that the HSE will have to inspect the facility, and give permission before a ceremony can take place there. You will need to allow for this process and enquire well in advance of the wedding date. WeddingsOnline.ie will have a list of previously approved venues, but you may have to be approved again for the same venue.

Here is a list of what the HSE will need to approve about the venue:

  • The venue needs to be a fixed structure, which means you cannot marry outside or anywhere that does not have four walls, so outdoor weddings and marquee weddings are prohibited.
  • The HSE will also need to verify that the building is ‘aseemly and dignified venue for the solemnization of marriages.’ So in other words, a barn probably won’t cut it.
  • The venue must adequately hold and comfortably accommodate the amount of guests you plan on inviting.
  • The Solemniser can only perform the wedding if the venue is open to members of the public, so ‘Only venues that allow unrestricted public access without charge will be considered for approval.’
  • The ceremony room must comply with regular public safety measures for rooms open to the public, and be handicapped accessible.
  • The room the ceremony is in must have public liability insurance cover.
  • The venue can’t have a connection with any religion, religious practice or religious persuasion which would be incompatible with the use of the venue for the solemnization of civil marriages.

There will also be increased fees for couples wishing to wed in civil ceremonies outside the registry office. Couples must also complete a Marriage Registration Form by a registrar, and have two witnesses present for the ceremony, who must sign the Marriage Registration Form.

Secondly, the Civil Registration Act, 2004 says couples will need to complete the notification of intention to marry (three months’ notice) and must be given in person to a Registrar, rather than by post.All couples giving notification must sign declarations of no impediment and obtain a Marriage Registration Form from a registrar in advance of the ceremony. This will be issued after they have completed the necessary notification procedures and the registrar is satisfied they are free to marry. The Civil Registration Act, 2004 has also removed former residency requirements in relation to civil ceremonies.

For more information about venues go to:

http://www.groireland.ie/guidelines_for_venues.htm

To find the HSE registration office nearest you:

http://www.groireland.ie/registrars.htm

To contact:

General Register Office, Government Offices,
Convent Road, Roscommon.
Tel: +353 (0) 90 6632900
LoCall: 1890 252076
Fax: +353 (0) 90 6632999
Fax: +353 (0) 90 6632988

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