Finding a church for your wedding

Lots of people marry in their own local church, but you might like to marry in a different church because it has special significance for you through family or other connections.
A church with a square tower surrounded by blossom trees

It’s possible there are a number of churches that you can get married in legally, as a bride and groom-to-be can marry in a church away from where they live if either of them can show just one of seven connections with the parish. Those connections are listed below.

If you’re not sure which is your local church, try searching on AChurchNearYou.com to find it. Enter your road name and area into the search box, wait for the address to drop-down and then select it. Click on the search arrow and your local church should be shown within its parish boundary.  You can also search using a postcode. If you want to search for a church in a different place, type in the place name instead and churches in that area will be listed in the search results.

Find a Church

To find your local church, go to AChurchNearYou.com

You can marry in a Church of England church if you can show that one of you:

  • has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
  • was baptised (christened) in the parish concerned, or
  • is confirmed and your confirmation was entered in the register of confirmations for a church or chapel in the parish (this will usually be the case if you were prepared for confirmation in the parish), or
  • has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months

or

That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:

  • has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
  • has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
     

or

That one of your parents or grandparents:

  • was married in the parish
     

And did you know that if you move house, you’re immediately connected to the church there? That means you can marry in the church of your new parish.

In all cases involving church services – i.e. going to normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage – this applies only to Church of England services.

If you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, you could create one, simply by attending your chosen church’s usual services at least once a month for six consecutive months. If you decide to do this, leave enough time after your attendance for the banns to be read before your wedding too – about another two months should be enough.

Talk to the Vicar there well in advance to discuss the options open to you.

If you’re marrying in a special church that’s not where you live, your local church would still love to support you as you prepare for the wedding, and afterwards too. Find out more information about how they would locally support you.