St Mark & St Stephen
Weddings
Sharing life's precious moments
Getting Married in Church
If you’re thinking about getting married in one of our churches, we’d be delighted to talk with you. Churches are unique places to begin married life together, offering something that no other venue can provide.
A wedding is a significant moment; a time of commitment, celebration, and joy. For Christians, marriage is also about sharing life together in the love of Jesus Christ. It is a lifelong covenant, made publicly before God and witnesses.
On your wedding day, you stand before family and friends, make your promises to one another, and receive God’s blessing on your marriage.
Why marry in church?
A church is much more than just a venue. A church wedding brings a spiritual dimension to your marriage. The ceremony includes God, seeking his guidance and blessing as you begin your life together. Many couples value this blessing, whatever their personal beliefs, and see the church as a place that will continue to support them in the years ahead.
The priest who officiates your wedding has a particular role in preparing and conducting the service. They will help you create a wedding that is personal, meaningful, and rooted in tradition.
For some people, a church simply feels like the right place to get married. Churches are often described as peaceful and beautiful spaces that make the occasion feel particularly significant.
After your wedding, we hope you’ll continue to see the church not just as your wedding venue, but as a community that’s always here for you.
As far as legally possible, we welcome everyone to explore getting married in church, a tradition that has been celebrated here for centuries.
Legal Requirements
There are some legal requirements to ensure your marriage complies with UK civil and church law.
Age
You must be at least 18 years old to marry in England and Wales. The law no longer allows 16- or 17-year-olds to marry, even with parental consent. (See The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022.)
Marrying in a church outside your parish
You can marry in a church that isn’t your local parish if you have a ‘qualifying connection’ with it. (This might be that you were baptised at St Mark’s or St Stephen’s as a baby, or your parents were married here, or you used to live in the parish for example).
Time of wedding
Weddings must take place between 8am and 6pm on any day.
If you are divorced
If either of you is divorced, it may still be possible to marry in church, but please speak to us early in your planning. Since 2002, the Church of England has allowed marriage in church for divorced people in certain circumstances.
Reading of banns
Most Church of England weddings require banns to be read in church before the wedding. Banns are an announcement of your intention to marry and give an opportunity for any legal objections to be raised. They are an ancient legal tradition that have been used for hundreds of years.
Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as in the church where you’ll marry, if it’s different. They are read out in church on three Sundays during the three months before your wedding, often on consecutive weeks. Many couples invite family and friends to hear their banns read as part of their wedding preparations, they can be joyful occasions in the lead-up to your wedding.
If banns cannot be read in time, or if either of you is British but lives outside England or Wales, you may need to use a Common Licence instead.
If either of you is a national of a country outside the European Economic Area, you will need a Superintendent Registrar’s Certificate rather than banns.
Licences
In some situations, you may need a Special Licence, Common Licence, or Marriage Schedule to marry in church. The vicar can advise you if this applies to you.
Documents
You will need to show your passport as proof of nationality. If you don’t have a passport, other documents may be acceptable. If either of you is divorced, you will need to bring your decree absolute. You may also need to provide evidence of your connection to the church, such as utility bills showing your address, or your parents’ marriage certificate if they married there. We can guide you through what is needed.
Mixed faith marriages
If you and your partner have different faiths, this need not prevent you from marrying in church if you would both like to do so. The Church of England wedding service is Christian and cannot be altered to include other faiths within the vows themselves, but there may be ways to reflect your backgrounds through readings, music, or prayers within the service. It can also be helpful to discuss how your differing beliefs might shape your marriage.
Children at weddings
Many couples marrying in church already have children. We want them to feel included on your wedding day. Children can walk down the aisle with a parent, carry the rings, read a Bible passage, say a prayer, or receive a blessing during the service.
Guests’ children are welcome too. Churches are used to welcoming families, so don’t worry if little ones move around or make noise during the service.
If you wish, your wedding could be a double celebration and could include a Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child. Alternatively, a combined service of Marriage and Holy Baptism allows your children to be baptised as part of the day, celebrating your family’s journey together in faith.