Who can get married in our Churches?

You can get married in one of our churches if:

• You or your partner live in the parish or
• You or your partner are on the electoral roll of the church in which you wish to be married.

If you or your partner do not currently live in the parish you may still be able to get married there if you have what is known as a "qualifying connection", this means that you can marry at a particular church if either you or your partner:

• has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
• was baptised in the parish or
• was prepared for confirmation in the parish or

has at any time regularly gone to normal Church of England services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or

Or if one of your parents, at any time after you were born:

• has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
• has regularly gone to normal Church of England services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months

Or if one of your parents or grandparents:

• was married in the parish

What are Banns?

Banns are where notice of your wedding is given in church according to a legal custom. On these occasions, everyone in church will be praying for you.

Banns are called during the morning service on the first three Sundays of the month before your wedding. If you or your partner currently lives in a different parish to the one in which you are to be married, banns will also need to be called in that church too.

Do we have to get married on a Saturday?

No - you can get married any day of the week (including Sunday afternoons) at the same cost.

How long does a church wedding service last?

Usually a church wedding service will last somewhere in the region of half an hour.