If you wish to marry in England or Wales you may do so either by civil or religious ceremony. A civil ceremony can take place in any Register Office or other premises approved by the local authority for marriages. A religious ceremony can take place at a church or chapel of the Church of England, or Church in Wales or at any other place of worship which has been approved by the Registrar General for marriages.
Civil Ceremony
If you want to marry by civil ceremony either at a Register Office or other building approved for civil marriage ceremonies, you should first contact the Superintendent Registrar of the area in which you wish to marry. You may marry at any Register Office or approved civil marriage premises of your choice in England or Wales. Please note that for a marriage in a venue approved for civil marriages, you will also need to contact the venue concerned to check availability. In addition you will both need to personally give a notice of intention to marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of the area(s) in which you live.
Church of England or Church in Wales
To be married in the Church of England or Church in Wales, you should first speak to the Vicar. If he is able to marry you, he will arrange for the Banns to be called on three Sundays before the day of your marriage or will arrange for a common licence to be issued. The marriage will be registered by the Vicar and there is generally no need to involve the local Register Office. Please see the Church of England website - www.cofe.anglican.org.
Other places of Religious Worship
If you plan to marry by a religious ceremony, other than in the Church of England or Church in Wales, you should first arrange to see the minister or other person in charge of marriages at the building. The Church or religious building in question must normally be in the registration district in which either you or your partner normally lives, unless it is the usual place of worship of either one or you or both of you. It will also be necessary for both of you to give formal notice of marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of the area(s) where you both live. Under certain circumstances a registrar may be required to attend the building on the day of your wedding to register the marriage upon payment of the statutory fee.
