Because of the historical situation of the Church of England as the established church of the nation, any couple has a legal right to be married in the church building (provided neither of them has been divorced) if one of them lives in the parish. However, if you move outside the parish you lose this right, so please read the note below about moving house.
In church the licence to get married is called “ Banns of Marriage ”, and it comes in two halves, one for each of you. It means that a formal notice of your wedding has to be read out in church on three Sundays, so that anyone who knows a legal reason why you cannot be married will have a chance to say so. We will arrange the dates of your banns when you book your wedding. You are not obliged to attend, but most couples like to come and hear them for the three Sundays
If one of you lives outside the Parish, you will also have to go to the Church of England Parish Church of the parish where you live, and fill in a form for your banns to be read there as well. Then you must get a certificate that they have been read.
This is very important, and you cannot be married without it. There is a legal fee at the for the banns and the certificate. |
