IMG_2308

Congratulations on becoming engaged to be married! Christ Church is a popular venue for weddings, and we look forward to welcoming couples for a special day. If you have lived in the parish, or if you are on the electoral roll of the church, or have a qualifying connection with the parish you may have a right to be married here.

Couples are invited to come to church services and speak to the vicar about celebrating their marriage at Christ Church.

Please be advised to do this before planning too much of your wedding day to check if your preferred date is available before you firm up any dates and make bookings for a reception.

Couples are welcome to have a Marriage Service; a Marriage Service within the context of a Holy Communion, or a service of blessing following a separate wedding ceremony in church or civil ceremony.

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. (At least every other week for 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. (At least every other week for 6 months).
     

or

  • That one of your parents or grandparents: were married in the parish

The Vicar will arrange a time to meet you and complete the necessary legalities. You will need to bring your passports to that meeting.  Further preparation also takes place, looking at the meaning of the marriage ceremony, the practicalities, and married life more generally.

If one of you has been married before it may still be possible for you to be married in church but there are certain preliminaries to be carried out. Please ask the Vicar for more information.

Getting married elsewhere but need your banns read here?
If you are resident in the Christ Church area and need your banns read at Christ Church because you are getting married elsewhere, please speak to the Vicar.

FEES

the fee are set to be the same across the Church of England, they are set by law and payable to the Diocesan Board of Finance and Parochial Church Council: for 2024 they are £531

having your banns read at the home church: £36, (£18 to issue a certificate)

Total for marrying in your home parish (providing you both live there) in 2024: £567

If a couple marry in 2023 away from where they live, the cost breaks down like this:-

the fee set by law payable to the marrying church: £531

having your banns read in the marrying church £36

having your banns read at your home church: £36

the banns certificate from your home church: £18

Total for marrying outside your parish in 2024: £621

Additional fees include Organist/Musician, Verger, heating at certain points of the year, these will be told to you by the Vicar.

BACS transfers or cheques, details supplied.