What's needed for a church wedding?

A church wedding in England or Wales begins the same way as any other legal marriage. Both of you must give notice of marriage in person at your local register office, usually where you have lived for at least the last seven days. You should do this at least 28 full days before the ceremony, though it can take longer if either partner is subject to immigration control. Your notice is valid for 12 months, so plan the date within that window.

For a Church of England or Church in Wales wedding, you will typically need banns read in both parishes, or a special licence from the Archbishop's office. Banns are announced on three Sundays before the wedding. If you do not meet the residency requirements, you may need a different route, and the rules can vary, so ask your vicar early.

You will need two witnesses at the ceremony, and both partners must be 18 or over. Civil ceremonies cannot include religious content such as hymns, prayers or religious readings, but a church wedding naturally includes these. Since 2021, your marriage is recorded in a marriage schedule or document that you and your witnesses sign on the day.

If you are planning a different faith wedding, the requirements will differ. Many couples also hold a short civil ceremony to ensure the marriage is legally recognised. Always confirm the specifics with your place of worship and GOV.UK.