A significant source of confusion for couples is the legal status of marquee weddings. Can you legally get married in a tent? The short answer is: it depends on where that tent is.
The Legal Reality (2025/2026)
The Current Rule
Despite ongoing Law Commission reviews proposing reforms, the law in England & Wales remains venue-based.
To be legally married in a civil ceremony, the ceremony must take place in a "permanent structure" with a fixed roof within the grounds of an Approved Premises (a licensed venue).
You cannot legally marry in a temporary marquee on unlicensed private land — whether that's a parent's garden or a farmer's field.
What About Outdoor Weddings?
Outdoor civil ceremonies are now permanently allowed in England and Wales, but only at Approved Premises with a civil ceremony licence. The outdoor location must sit within the boundary of the licensed premises.
So if you hire a dry-hire venue that has a ceremony licence, you may be able to have a legal outdoor ceremony on their grounds. But a marquee on your own private land? No legal ceremony there.
The "Two-Step" Solution
Couples circumvent this by separating the legal registration from the ceremonial celebration. This is more common than you might think, and it actually offers more creative freedom.
1The Statutory Ceremony
The couple attends a Registry Office (often a day or two before, or the morning of the wedding) with two witnesses for a brief "2+2" ceremony.
This is purely administrative — signing the schedule to become legally wed. It can take as little as 15 minutes. Many couples treat this as a special, intimate moment with just parents or closest friends present.
Options for timing:
- Days before: Get it done mid-week, then enjoy your wedding day without legal paperwork
- Morning of: Start the wedding day with the legal bit, then travel to your marquee for the celebration
- Separate intimate event: Some couples make this its own special occasion
2The Celebrant Ceremony
On the wedding day in the marquee, a Celebrant leads a bespoke ceremony. This has no legal standing, but for your guests, this is the wedding.
The beauty? Complete creative freedom.
- No restrictions on location (outdoor, indoor, on a boat, anywhere)
- No script restrictions — write your own vows, include any readings
- Can include religious or spiritual content (which registrars cannot do)
- No time slots or rush — the celebrant is yours for as long as you need
- Personalised from start to finish
Celebrant vs. Registrar
Understanding the difference helps you see why many couples actually prefer the two-step approach.
| Registrar | Celebrant | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal authority | Yes — legally binds your marriage | No — ceremonial only |
| Location | Licensed venues only | Anywhere you choose |
| Script | Standard wording with some flexibility | Completely bespoke |
| Religious content | Not permitted in civil ceremonies | Any content you wish |
| Time | Time-bound slots, often 20-30 mins | As long as you need |
| Per-day weddings | Multiple per day | Usually one (fully focused) |
| Feel | Formal, procedural | Personal, story-driven |
A Celebrant Ceremony Can Be Magical
Unlike registrars, who are council employees bound by strict scripts and time slots, celebrants offer a highly personalised service. They'll meet with you, learn your story, and create a ceremony that reflects your relationship.
The ceremony integrates beautifully with the marquee setting — under a sailcloth tent, surrounded by nature, with no rush to clear out for the next wedding. It becomes a highlight rather than a formality.
Coordinating the Ceremony
A celebrant ceremony in a marquee needs careful coordination. Who cues the processional music? Who signals the celebrant to begin? Who makes sure the microphones work?
This is where having a professional MC or on-the-day coordinator becomes valuable. They work with the celebrant to ensure seamless flow, handle the technical elements (microphones, music cues), and manage the transition from ceremony to drinks reception.
Related reading: The art of wedding announcements
Law Reform: What's Coming?
The Law Commission has recommended moving to an "officiant-based" system, where the person conducting the ceremony is licensed rather than the location. This would allow legal ceremonies anywhere, including marquees on private land.
The government has indicated support for reform, but as of early 2025, no legislation has been passed. The current venue-based system remains in force, so the two-step approach is still necessary for private land marquee weddings.
Frequently Asked Questions
If we do the legal bit at a registry office, do we still say vows in the marquee?
Absolutely. The celebrant ceremony is where you exchange your personal vows, exchange rings (again, if you wish), and have the moment your guests witness. The registry office is just paperwork. The marquee ceremony is your wedding.
Do guests know we're already legally married?
That's your choice. Some couples mention it ("we signed the paperwork yesterday"), some don't. Either way, the celebrant ceremony is what everyone experiences as "the wedding." Your guests won't feel cheated — the celebrant ceremony has all the emotional weight.
How do we find a good celebrant?
Look for someone who takes time to understand your story, has experience with outdoor/marquee weddings, and whose style matches your vision. Ask for sample ceremonies, check reviews, and ideally meet them before booking. UK Celebrants and the Fellowship of Professional Celebrants are good starting points.
What if our venue has a ceremony licence?
If your marquee is at a dry-hire venue that holds an Approved Premises licence, you may be able to have a legal civil ceremony on site (though possibly not in the marquee itself, depending on the licence). Check with the venue and local registrar. You might not need the two-step approach.
Can we have a religious ceremony in the marquee?
Religious ceremonies have different rules. Some religious officiants can perform legally-binding ceremonies at any location (Church of England, Church in Wales, some Jewish ceremonies). For other faiths, or for interfaith ceremonies, the two-step approach with a celebrant often works well. Speak to your religious leader about options.