Follow our guide to Church of England Wedding Fees and Legalities to ensure your church wedding ceremony is heavenly…
Can I marry in a Church of England Church?
You can marry in a Church of England church if you have a qualifying connection to the church in question. These connections include having lived in the local parish for six months or more, having been christened or confirmed at the church, or regularly attending church services (over a minimum of six months). You can also marry in a church if your parents have lived in the local parish for six months or have attended normal church services for half a year. You can also marry in a church if your parents or grandparents married there.
If you do not have a connection to the church, you can create one. Attend the church's usual services at least once a month for six months. Speak to the Vicar before setting your heart on a church wedding ceremony, to ensure you have the connections required.
Where should I start with booking a church wedding Ceremony?
The first step in booking a church wedding will be contacting the church where you want to marry. It's best to do this as soon as possible, especially if you have a specific date in mind. You'll need an initial meeting with the vicar or church wedding coordinator to discuss your plans, check your eligibility, and start the necessary paperwork.
What are the Church of England Wedding Fees?
The compulsory costs for a church wedding are set by the Church of England nationally and apply to everyone. The Church of England wedding fees cover the cost of the vicar, the church, calling your banns, lighting and all administration. If you and your spouse live in the same parish the church wedding ceremony will cost £567*. This cost includes the marriage service and the publication of the banns of marriage. If one of you lives in a different parish the cost is slightly higher, at £621*, as the banns of marriage will be published at each of your local churches.
*(At the time of writing in July 2024)
What does reading the banns mean?
Reading the banns is an ancient legal requirement for marriage in the Church of England. It involves the public announcement of your intention to marry in the three months before your wedding. The purpose is to give the congregation an opportunity to raise any legal objections to the marriage. The banns will be read at your local church, even if you're marrying in a church outside your parish. The vicar will issue a banns certificate, to present to the church in which you will marry.
What are the additional options and their costs?
In addition to the compulsory Church of England wedding fees, there are several optional services that you can choose to enhance your church wedding ceremony. Budget-allowing, you may choose to have the support of a verger, an organist, a choir or bell-ringers. The cost of each of these extra services varies between churches. The church may also have a local florist who can create your church floral arrangements.