Marriage
Marriage is a bedrock that underpins our society, and whilst your impending wedding will be a time of joy for you personally, it will also be a joy shared by the whole community in which you live. Its importance for all of us should not therefore be underestimated. Not only that, but as you have decided that you wish to enter into a Christian marriage, then it will be conducted in the sight of God, giving an additional dimension to your union. We therefore wish you a happy and memorable wedding day and joy in your life together.
The following notes outline a few of the requirements for weddings within the Church of England. They are not exhaustive and offer only a brief outline of the legalities that
must be satisfied in order for a wedding ceremony to take place in church. You should discuss with the Minister any points about which you are uncertain or wish to have further information. More detailed information is available on the Church of England website. Church of England weddings in this country are governed by the 1949 Marriage Act and may only be solemnised inside a building licensed for the purpose and between the hours of 08.00 and 18.00. However, the Church Minister has the right to determine the precise time and date of the ceremony within those parameters.
Church of England weddings are normally limited to the parish church of either of the couple or to a church which is the 'usual place of worship' of at least one of them. In that
instance, at least one of the couple must have had his/her name entered on the electoral roll of that church. To qualify for enrolment, the person concerned must have attended habitually for a minimum period of six months and must be a baptised member of the Church of England. Your Church Minister will be able to advise further on this requirement. From October 1st 2008, the Church of England has made it easier for couples to marry in the parish church of a parish other than the one where you or your fiancee are living, without the need for a Special Licence. However, you or your fiancee will need to demonstrate one of the following 'qualifying connections'. That:
Or:
You will still need to ensure that you visit the parish church in the area where you live or where you are on the electoral roll in order to have banns put up there.
In all cases - i.e. worship, baptism, confirmation or marriage - this applies only to Church of England services.
Except in special cases,the legal preliminary to marriage in church is for banns to be published. Banns are the public announcement that two people wish to marry, and an invitation to anybody who knows just cause or impediment to the union to declare it. On three Sundays prior to the wedding, the banns are read out in the parish church(es) of the future bride and groom, and are effective for three months afterwards. Banns must be called in both the church where the wedding is to be held, as well as the parish church(es) of the bride and groom (from which certificate(s) of banns must be obtained). Other requirements apply if one partner is from outside the European Union, Old Commonwealth, or USA.
Any British National who normally resides in England is entitled to marry in his or her Church of England parish church, provided that
When arranging a wedding, it is customary to visit in person the Minister (or an appointed representative); if one of the couple resides in another parish, the Minister of that parish must also be contacted. Clergy have the right to ask questions in order to be satisfied that there is no impediment to the marriage and that the information supplied is
correct.
Legally, the Minister has the right to decide the format of the service, including which hymns and music are to be used, and he or she should be consulted before a decision is made. The Minister also has the final word on floral and other decorations in the church, photography and tape or video recordings. Any marriage ceremony must be in accordance with the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.
Please visit the CoE website for details regarding inter-denominational and inter-faith marriages.
For further information, or to book a wedding, visit the church between 6.15 and 7.00pm on Monday evenings (excluding bank holidays).
If you are already married you may be interested in the service of Thanksgiving for marriage ('Renewal of Vows')
Looking for a wedding speech? Try Weddingspeechbuilder.com or ultimatespeeches.net
The following notes outline a few of the requirements for weddings within the Church of England. They are not exhaustive and offer only a brief outline of the legalities that
must be satisfied in order for a wedding ceremony to take place in church. You should discuss with the Minister any points about which you are uncertain or wish to have further information. More detailed information is available on the Church of England website. Church of England weddings in this country are governed by the 1949 Marriage Act and may only be solemnised inside a building licensed for the purpose and between the hours of 08.00 and 18.00. However, the Church Minister has the right to determine the precise time and date of the ceremony within those parameters.
Church of England weddings are normally limited to the parish church of either of the couple or to a church which is the 'usual place of worship' of at least one of them. In that
instance, at least one of the couple must have had his/her name entered on the electoral roll of that church. To qualify for enrolment, the person concerned must have attended habitually for a minimum period of six months and must be a baptised member of the Church of England. Your Church Minister will be able to advise further on this requirement. From October 1st 2008, the Church of England has made it easier for couples to marry in the parish church of a parish other than the one where you or your fiancee are living, without the need for a Special Licence. However, you or your fiancee will need to demonstrate one of the following 'qualifying connections'. That:
- One of you was baptised in the parish concerned (If you were baptised and confirmed at the same time, the provisions on confirmation rather than baptism apply)
- One of you has been confirmed, and was prepared for confirmation in the parish
- One of you has at any time lived in the parish for at least six months
- One of you has at any time regularly attended public worship in the parish for at least six months
Or:
- One of your or your fiancée's parents has lived in the parish for at least six months at any time after you were born (or, in the case of your fiancee's parents, at any time after your fiancée was born)
- One of your or your fiancée's parents has regularly attended public worship in the parish for at least six months at any time after you (or your fiancée) were born.
- A parent or grandparent of you or your fiancée was married in the parish.
You will still need to ensure that you visit the parish church in the area where you live or where you are on the electoral roll in order to have banns put up there.
In all cases - i.e. worship, baptism, confirmation or marriage - this applies only to Church of England services.
Except in special cases,the legal preliminary to marriage in church is for banns to be published. Banns are the public announcement that two people wish to marry, and an invitation to anybody who knows just cause or impediment to the union to declare it. On three Sundays prior to the wedding, the banns are read out in the parish church(es) of the future bride and groom, and are effective for three months afterwards. Banns must be called in both the church where the wedding is to be held, as well as the parish church(es) of the bride and groom (from which certificate(s) of banns must be obtained). Other requirements apply if one partner is from outside the European Union, Old Commonwealth, or USA.
Any British National who normally resides in England is entitled to marry in his or her Church of England parish church, provided that
- the other partner is also of British Nationality and also normally resides in England;
- that there are no legal impediments (see CoE website for a list);
- and that neither of the couple is a divorcee whose previous partner is still living.
When arranging a wedding, it is customary to visit in person the Minister (or an appointed representative); if one of the couple resides in another parish, the Minister of that parish must also be contacted. Clergy have the right to ask questions in order to be satisfied that there is no impediment to the marriage and that the information supplied is
correct.
Legally, the Minister has the right to decide the format of the service, including which hymns and music are to be used, and he or she should be consulted before a decision is made. The Minister also has the final word on floral and other decorations in the church, photography and tape or video recordings. Any marriage ceremony must be in accordance with the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.
Please visit the CoE website for details regarding inter-denominational and inter-faith marriages.
For further information, or to book a wedding, visit the church between 6.15 and 7.00pm on Monday evenings (excluding bank holidays).
If you are already married you may be interested in the service of Thanksgiving for marriage ('Renewal of Vows')
Looking for a wedding speech? Try Weddingspeechbuilder.com or ultimatespeeches.net
