The rules about where couples can marry are set out in law. You can marry in a church where you have a qualifying connection. You can marry in one of our churches:

if either of you…
* lives in the parish or
* is baptised and on the church’s electoral roll or
* has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least six months or
* has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least six months or
* was baptised in our parish/benefice or
* was prepared for confirmation in our parish or
* was confirmed in the parish

or, if one of your parents, at any time after you were born,…
* has lived in the parish for a period of at least six months or
* has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least six months

or, if one of your parents or grandparents:
* was married in the parish.

English law has special guidelines for non-British nationals being married in the UK. Please contact the Benefice Office at St John’s via the link below. We will be able to provide more information about who is eligible to be married in one of our churches.

If either of you has been married before, that does not automatically mean you cannot have a church wedding but you will need to discuss your situation with one of our clergy before we can agree to conduct the service. Please contact the Benefice Office via the link below to arrange for that to be done at the earliest possible opportunity. It might be possible to offer a service of blessing after a civil marriage if a church service is not possible.

The law requires all couples intending to marry to give notice of that to the community in which the wedding is to take place. If you are both nationals of countries within the EU and are marrying in church, this is most usually done by reading of Banns of Marriage. You will need to have Banns read in the church where you are marrying and the parish church where you live if that is different. If you are marrying elsewhere but need Banns read here because one or both of you live in our parish, please contact the office to make arrangements. There is a small fee for banns to be read. If you are having Banns read here because you are marrying here, the details will be covered for you in marriage preparation.

Banns are read on three occasions during the main morning service in the three months prior to the wedding and we let you know the dates of your Banns whether you are marrying here or elsewhere. We are always delighted to welcome wedding couples to hear their Banns and to have the opportunity to pray for you. In some cases, marriage after Banns is not possible and it may be necessary to obtain a marriage licence or a Superintendent Registrar’s Certificate but we will advise you about that when you contact us to enquire.

The fees for a church wedding are set by law but there are optional extras that you can choose to have in our church. The statutory fees change every year but, to help with you budgeting, the 2020 fees are:

Marriage Service *  £463
Publication of Banns of Marriage*  £31
Marriage Certificate (at the time of marriage)* £11
Certificate of Banns of Marriage (if required)*  £14
Verger  £50

Optional items at this church:
Organist £100
Choir (All Saints’ Dogmersfield only) £250 (deposit £100)
Flowers Dependent of church
Heating £65 (we would recommend heating between October and March)

*These items are the minimum legal fees payable which are reviewed annually by the Church of England. An additional certificate is available at the time of marriage for £4. Copies after the day are £10.