How to Get Married in Devon: A Simple Guide for Couples in England & Wales

There are a few steps, a small amount of paperwork, and some things you need to book in advance. That's about it. Whether you're planning an elopement at Millbrook Estate or an intimate wedding in Devon, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.

Step 1: Choose Your Venue

Your venue needs to be licensed for civil marriages. Most dedicated wedding venues are, but it's always worth confirming before you fall in love with somewhere.

If you're thinking about a church, that's a slightly different process — the church handles most of the legal paperwork through the banns or a common licence. But for the majority of elopements and intimate weddings in Devon, you'll be going the civil route.

One thing worth knowing: outdoor ceremonies are absolutely possible at a licensed venue — gardens, meadows, clifftops, all fair game.

At Millbrook Estate, we offer both elopement packages and micro weddings for small groups — both fully licensed for civil ceremonies in the heart of Devon.

Step 2: Book Your Registrar

Do this as soon as you have a confirmed venue date. Registrars book up fast, particularly at weekends and in the summer months.

You need to contact the register office for the district where your venue is located — not where you live. For Millbrook Estate, that's Devon Register Office.

Fees vary by local authority. Devon charges from around £550, while Cornwall starts from £800 upwards. Weekends typically cost more than weekdays — it's worth factoring this into your budget early.

Step 3: Give Notice at Your Local Register Office

This is the legal step that most couples don't know about until they start planning. Once you've booked your venue and registrar, you need to give notice of your intention to marry — this is done at the register office for the area where you live (or where you've stayed for a minimum of 7 days). Not the venue's register office.

A few things to know:

• You both need to attend in person — either together or separately
• Notice must be given at least 28 clear days before your wedding
• Notice can be given up to 12 months before the date
• There's a fee of £42 per person
• Book an appointment first — most register offices won't accept walk-ins for giving notice

If you live in different districts, you each give notice at your own local register office.

The 28-day notice period also means that a wedding can come together faster than most people think — if you're dreaming of something sooner rather than later, take a look at our last minute elopement packages at Millbrook Estate.

Step 4: What to Bring When You Give Notice

Keep it simple. You'll need:

• Proof of identity — a valid passport or birth certificate
• Proof of address — a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months
• If you've been married before — your decree absolute (if divorced) or your former spouse's death certificate

That's it. The register office processes your notice, the 28-day period begins, and once it's up, you're legally clear to marry.

Step 5: The Preference Form

Around six weeks before your wedding, the registrar will send a preference form by email. This is your chance to personalise the ceremony — within the rules of a civil wedding.

You'll be asked about readings (welcome, but must be non-religious), music for your arrival, the signing of the register and your exit (must not contain religious content, swear words, or anything contentious — if you're unsure about a track, check with your registrar), your vows (the legal vows are fixed, but you can often add personal words around them), and the overall order of service.

Fill this in thoughtfully. It's what takes the legal formality and makes it genuinely feel like your wedding.

What About a Humanist or Celebrant Ceremony?

A lot of couples ask about this — and it's a really good question. Humanist and celebrant-led ceremonies can be incredibly personal and meaningful, but in England and Wales, they're not legally binding on their own (unlike in Scotland, where humanist ceremonies are fully recognised in law).

That means if you want a celebrant to lead your ceremony, you'd need to also complete the legal bit separately — either at a register office beforehand, or by having a registrar present at your venue as well. Some couples love this approach: a quiet, low-key legal signing, followed by a ceremony that's entirely their own. It's a genuinely lovely option and well worth knowing about.

The Bit People Always Worry About

The legal ceremony itself is short. You'll say the prescribed legal words, your two witnesses will sign the register — they can be anyone: guests, family, even your photographer — and that's it. You're married.

Everything else — the vows you've written, the music you've chosen, the ceremony your officiant has shaped around you — that's the experience of the day. The legal part takes minutes.

After the Wedding: Changing Your Name

Your marriage certificate is the only document you need to start changing your name. With it, you can update your passport, driving licence, bank accounts, and everything else. There's no separate legal process — the certificate does the job.

It's one of those things people assume is complicated but turns out to be surprisingly straightforward. Much like the rest of this.

What If You Live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Abroad?

The process above applies to couples who are resident in England or Wales. If you live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or outside the UK, getting married in England or Wales is still absolutely possible — it's just a little more involved. Residency requirements and paperwork differ, and it's worth getting specific advice for your situation.

We've helped couples travel from all over the world to get married at Millbrook Estate, and we're always happy to point you in the right direction. Get in touch and we'll help you work out what you need.

One Final Thought

The process in England and Wales is genuinely more straightforward than it looks when you first start Googling. Book your venue, book your registrar, give notice, fill in the form, show up. The paperwork is manageable.

The bit that takes real thought is making the day feel like you — and that's the part we love helping with at Millbrook Estate. If you'd like to explore our elopement packages or intimate wedding options in Devon, we'd love to hear from you.

This guide reflects the legal process as it stood in England and Wales on 1st January 2026. We recommend checking GOV.UK or speaking directly with your local register office for the most current requirements.

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