More choice of church wedding
Lots of people marry in their own local church, but in 2008 the
Church of England changed its law so that a
couple can marry in a church away from where they live because
it has special significance for them through family or other
connections.
An engaged couple can now do that if either of them can show
one of the seven connections with the
parish listed below (what is called a qualifying connection).
A person has a Qualifying Connection with a parish if:
that person:
- was baptised in the parish. (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation); or
- had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish; or
- has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
- has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or a Parent of that person has at any time during that person's lifetime:
- had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months; or
- habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.
In all cases involving church services - i.e. coming to/going to/attending normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage - this applies only to Church of England services.
