The where and how of getting married

By Kate

Marriage at a Place of Worship

Marriage at a place of worship other than the Church of England or Church in Wales

In England or Wales, you can be married at places of worship of other denominations of the Christian faith or of other faiths, according to the particular rites of that faith. Your first step should be to contact the minister or person in charge of marriages at that building. Not all buildings are licensed for the solemnization of marriages and if that is the case you may have to attend a civil ceremony first.

The place of worship must be in one of the districts where you or your partner are resident or you must be able to show that it is your regular place of worship. Where there is not a place of worship of your faith in your district, then you should be married at one in the nearest district or the place where you worship regularly. If there is no appropriate person who is licensed to marry you at your place of worship, you will have to arrange for a registrar to be present.

Roman Catholic Weddings

If you are both Catholic, then there will be publication of banns as well as the civil requirements of giving notice of marriage to your local superintendent registrar. If you are marrying a non-catholic you may well need to ask permission from your priest.

More information from Marriage Care

or

The Catholic Enquiry Office,
The Chase Centre, 114 West Heath Road,
London, NW3 7TX.
Tel: 020 8458 3316
Fax: 020 8905 5780

Jewish Weddings

More information from:

Jewish Marriage Council,
23 Ravenhurst Avenue,
London, NW4 4EE.
Tel: 020 8203 6311
Fax: 020 8203 8727.

Quaker weddings

The Quakers have their own procedure which you have to go through with the registering officer at the Society of Friends monthly meeting.

For more information:

The Religious Society of Friends,
173-177 Euston Road,
London, NW1 2BJ
Tel: 020 7663 1000

Muslim Weddings

For more information:

Muslim Information Centre,
233 Seven Sisters Road,
London N4 2DA,
tel: 0207 272 5170