How do church weddings work?

A church wedding works as a legal marriage ceremony conducted in a religious building registered for marriages. In England and Wales, Church of England and Church in Wales weddings usually require banns to be read on three Sundays before the wedding, or a licence instead. You give notice at your local register office at least 28 days before the ceremony, and the wedding must happen within 12 months of giving notice. In Scotland, you submit a marriage notice to the registrar for the district where the wedding takes place, at least 29 days ahead, though registrars advise 10 to 12 weeks. In Northern Ireland, notice goes to the registrar in the district of the wedding, at least 28 days before.

You will need two witnesses aged 16 or over in Scotland, and two witnesses generally across the UK. The ceremony itself usually includes hymns, prayers, readings and vows, but the exact format depends on your denomination and the minister. Since 2021 in England and Wales, you sign a marriage schedule or document on the day, not a register book. If you are not a regular member of the church, the minister may ask you to attend services or meet with them beforehand. Some churches have rules about music, flowers or photography, so ask early. If you are having a religious ceremony that is not in a registered building, such as a nikah, it may not be legally binding on its own, so many couples add a short civil ceremony. Check GOV.UK or ask your place of worship for the current rules.