A guide for couples traveling from abroad Or another county
We are often asked by overseas couples or even couples from another county within England, “How do we get married at a quintessential castle in England?”
For many American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander or even British couples living in another county or abroad, the idea of marrying in a castle is irresistible: centuries-old stone walls, a quiet blessing and a day that is intimate, meaningful, and entirely your own. Once the idea becomes real, the questions quickly follow:
– Can you legally marry in England?
– How far in advance do you need to plan if you want to marry in England?
– What does it actually cost, and how simple can marrying in England be?
This guide walks you through everything you need to know, and shows you how an intimate wedding at an English castle intimate wedding can be far more straightforward than you might expect.
What motivates couples to marry at a castle?
Couples who want to marry in a castle are often looking for a wedding that feels extraordinary, somewhere with character, history and a sense of occasion. Their motivations can vary:
- Romance and enchantment – towers, courtyards and ancient stone create the perfect atmosphere
- History and authenticity – they might value a place with a real story, where their marriage becomes part of its continuing history
- Privacy – exclusive-use castles give couples the feeling of being in a world of their own
- Intimacy – couples want a small, deeply personal and totally romantic wedding
- Memories – they want a memorable guest experience even if there is only a handful of guests
- Photography – they want distinctive architecture and grounds that give their photos a strong sense of place
- Connection – couples want a sense of connection with Britain, heritage and the past.
Can Overseas couples Get Married in England?
Yes, you can get legally married in England, but it comes with practical requirements. The biggest complication is the time you need in England before a legal wedding can take place. For example, for two American citizens travelling here for a civil wedding, it usually involves the following:
- Marriage Visitor Visas – Both parties would normally need a visa before travelling, unless an exemption applies. The earliest you can apply is three months before travelling
- Giving notice in person – You must first meet the residence requirement of seven clear days in the registration district in England or Wales, excluding your arrival day and appointment day, then attend a register office appointment together – you cannot complete this entirely from the States
- Waiting before the wedding – The national minimum is to give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony, although this can extend to 70 days if a Home Office investigation is required. Kent’s published guidance asks foreign nationals to allow at least 70 days, so we recommend you check your individual requirements with Kent Registration Service before booking your travel. In our experience, overseas couples often need around 90 days to complete the arrangements. This does not mean staying in England for 90 days, but you may need either an extended stay or two separate trips: one to meet the residence requirements and give notice, and another for your wedding.
- Original paperwork – Passports, proof of address and immigration status, passport-sized photographs and venue details are needed. If either of you has been married before, you will need documents confirming how the previous marriage ended. Overseas divorce documents need additional checking and fees, plus documents not in English will need translation.
- Coordinate your travel carefully around legal timelines.
For couples travelling from the United States, we understand this process can quickly become complicated and expensive and can put some couples off.
A Simpler Approach to marrying in Kent
For most of our couples coming from afar, I recommend a simpler option; complete the legal marriage in your own country and then have a personal celebrant-led ceremony at a castle or a priory in Kent, England. The US State Department explains that completing the legal marriage in the United States and celebrating abroad can simplify the process and avoid the legal formalities associated with marrying abroad.
Blessings enable couples to complete their legal paperwork at home so they can:
- Travel without the pressure of the UK marriage notice periods
- Book a shorter trip – or even go onto mainland Europe like Kim and Kevin did after holding a blessing at Allington Castle, near Maidstone.
- Avoid marriage registration appointments during your trip, making everything simpler to arrange, as a purely symbolic blessing does not require UK notice formalities; although normal UK entry requirements still apply
- Focus entirely on the experience
Complete the legal formalities at home. Then celebrate your marriage with a beautifully styled ceremony in a historic venue in Kent, England!
Can we have a courthouse wedding in the States, then celebrate at a castle in Kent?
Absolutely. If you live in the United States, you can have your legal wedding at home before travelling to England for a personal castle ceremony and celebration.
Often called a “courthouse wedding” or “city hall wedding”, this is a civil marriage conducted by an authorised official. You will need to follow the marriage licence and ceremony requirements in your chosen state and county.
With your legal marriage completed at home, your ceremony in Kent can be a symbolic celebration, blessing, or vow renewal. It doesn’t create a second legal marriage, but it can be the moment you dress up, exchange heartfelt promises, and celebrate in the setting you have always imagined.
Picture arriving at an English castle, holding your bouquet, sharing your vows and enjoying Champagne, cake and beautiful photographs—just the two of you, or with a few of your favourite people.
At E-Lope, we can help bring those elements together into a celebration that feels entirely yours. Let us know you plan to marry legally in the States, and we can guide you through your options for a castle celebration in Kent.
What Is a Blessing or Celebrant-led Celebration Ceremony?
At E-Lope, we work with recommended celebrants to create a beautifully personal ceremony that celebrates your marriage. You can include:
- Your wedding attire
- A wedding entrance
- Your own personal vows, written and read out by you
- Elements of your faith (something you can’t include in a legal civil ceremony in the UK)
- Your ring exchange
- Readings or family involvement
- A fully styled ceremony setting and tablescape
Nothing about a blessing feels secondary. In fact, many couples find it more meaningful, because the ceremony is entirely shaped around you and your beliefs
How Much Does It Cost to Elope to a Castle in England?
One of the biggest surprises for couples travelling from abroad is the value. If you’ve not had a large wedding at home, why not treat the whole experience as your honeymoon or continue to your honeymoon afterwards? A castle blessing can feel like great value for money. What does a typical elopement blessing include?
- A choice of venues – choose from our portfolio of wedding venues, including Allington Castle, The Castle Westenhanger and the ancient Bilsington Priory
- Planning, venue coordination and trusted suppliers in England, (such as Sarah Holiday Celebrant seen conducting a blessing at Bilsington Priory) – Sam. I will make recommendations for hair, makeup, hotels and travel to and from the venue, and provide details of trusted celebrants, videographers and suppliers. However, please note you would pay the additional suppliers directly.
- Flowers (bouquet and buttonhole) – Ruth
- Photography – Fleur
- Champagne and non-alcoholic options – Sam
- Ceremony styling Sam and Ruth
- Wedding cake – Serena
- Afternoon tea or sharing boards – Libby
- On-the-day support and supplier curation (photography, flowers, styling)- Sam
With a three-hour window, from the start of your blessing, team E-Lope offers a carefully curated wedding with a luxurious feel at a castle or priory in Kent.
You can simply arrive, take it all in… And get married.at a castle in Kent, England
When Should You Book your elopement with team E-Lope?
I usually recommend booking your elopement blessing around six months ahead with most couples either opting for a blessing between May and the end of October. Or choosing a full-on Christmas vibe! Our venues enable us to book small intimate weddings on selected weekdays only, as they tend to reserve the weekends for larger weddings.
Is a castle wedding right for you?
If you’re dreaming of:
- A castle wedding in England without the overwhelm
- A small, beautifully designed celebration (2–8 guests)
- A day that is calm, cinematic, and personal
- A seamless experience planned just for you
Then an elopement blessing may be exactly what you’ve been searching for. Start planning your castle elopement in England now as we would love to help you create something truly unforgettable. Share your preferred dates, guest numbers, and whether you’d like a legal ceremony or a blessing and we’ll guide you every step of the way.
