Your guide to weddings in pubs

Your guide to wedded bliss

If you're tempted to take the plunge into the pub-wedding market, now is the time to get organised for next year's ceremonies, says Cath Quinn

Although juke boxes have yet to feature 'Here Comes the Bride', pub weddings have become big business in the UK. With many more venues now able to become licensed for marriage ceremonies, the trend for traditional venues has declined. And while some adventurous couples tie the knot in unusual locations, a large number are choosing to say their vows in a favourite local pub.

'Nowadays, not everyone wants to get married in a church, and a lot of couples want one location where they can get married, have the reception, and go to bed at the end of the night,' explains John Martin, who runs the Blazing Donkey pub in Hay Hill, Ham, Kent. His venue, near Dover, has become extremely popular for marriages and part of the success is undoubtedly due to the combination of ceremony and reception in one spot. 'With the couples who have their wedding reception here, 90% want the ceremony held here as well, which I think reflects what many couples are looking for now,' says Martin. 'They want to be spoiled all in one spot. We are a very remote country location, which is part of the reason why it's such a beautiful spot for a wedding. But it also means that it's far easier to hold all the aspects of the marriage here, rather than just the reception.'

Paperwork is very simple

Landlords considering branching out into wedding ceremonies will also find the paperwork and expense is far less formidable than they might have imagined. The changes to the marriage registration laws 10 years ago meant restrictions on ceremonies were greatly relaxed. And not only can venues other than churches and registry-offices hold weddings, events can also take place any day of the week or year. The criteria varies throughout England and Wales, but generally licensees who are interested in hosting marriage ceremonies should apply to their local council.

'I would usually advise landlords who are looking to host weddings to contact their registrar before they concern themselves about any form filling,' says Clive Gardiner, registrar for the Kent area. 'We come out to inspect the site and make suggestions. Usually the basic requirement is to have a separate room - perhaps a function room or part of a restaurant area. We wouldn't expect alcohol to be served in that room either prior to or after the wedding. Once we've inspected the site and hopefully given the go-ahead there are some forms to fill in, and we would contact someone from the local council to come along and have a look. This is the situation in Kent, but it could also be handled via a London borough, or a smaller municipal council.'

Licensing venues for weddings is the responsibility of the individual authority, so there will be some regional variations. In Kent, where there is a dedicated service that supports those applying to host weddings, a three-year licence costs £900, so the expense involved is not prohibitive and a few weddings should easily cover the cost.

Celebrating 50 weddings a year

The Blazing Donkey celebrates around 50 weddings a year, although its investment in the service has been markedly high.

'The whole package is something we have seriously invested in: I've put around half a million pounds into making it work,' says Martin. 'Obviously this isn't always the amount that's needed but in the case of the Blazing Donkey there has been real hard work and investment.'

Pubs with extensive grounds may also be eligible to licence a marquee or gazebo for ceremonies, provided they have already obtained permission for another permanent area. Venues are entitled to apply for extra areas on their premises for around £200 each, once the initial licence has been granted, which opens up more possibilities for summer weddings.

In terms of organising the wedding itself, landlords might need to employ different skills to their day-to-day management of the pub. But while the pressure of accommodating someone's 'perfect day' might be a concern, some pub managers find it less stressful than a normal day of business. 'It's not too much trouble to arrange,' explains Tom Martin who runs the Gun gastro pub in Docklands, and the White Swan in Clerkenwell. While the Gun doesn't host marriage ceremonies it is a popular venue for wedding celebrations.

'It's actually easier to host a wedding than a usual night at the pub,' says Martin. 'You know exactly how many people are coming, what they'll be eating, and what wine they'll be drinking. Before the event we sit down with the bride and groom and go through their requirements. Then we go away and go through costings, work out what we can do and finalise it all in writing.

'There's extra work getting the place set up of course, but it's pretty straightforward. We charge per person rather than a set amount, and we have to take into account the fact that we'll be closed (to the public) for the day. But I would definitely recommend it to other landlords. You're guaranteed a specific income on that day, and it's likely to be above what you'd usually make. People are happy at weddings, and they tend to spend more on drinks.'

At the Blazing Donkey staff efforts have even attracted celebrity interest, with a number of stars looking at the venue - most recently Billy Zane and Kelly Brook.

Although not many pubs can claim Hollywood clientele, once a pub has been licensed to hold weddings it is also eligible for a number of different events, so landlords can host baby-naming ceremonies or wedding vow renewals for no extra charge.

With couples who have enjoyed their celebrations the first time round coming back to hold anniversary celebrations or renew their vows, getting a wedding licence can also be a good way to ensure repeat custom.