Questions, questions...
What a very informative website this is.
I've been going through my diary, entering all the dates for Wedding Shows as they are very conveniently listed here.
If you're planning to visit any Wedding Shows, do look out for the Church of England stand and stop by for a chat. You'll be guaranteed a welcome.
The shows are busy times for us as there are so many questions to answer. The most popular question is "Can I get married in church even though I don't attend and I've never been Christened?"
The answer is an enthusiastic YES. If you're both single you are legally entitled to get married in your local church. If you're not sure which parish you belong to you can visit the Church of England website and simply tap in your postcode to get the address and phone number.
If your situation is a little more complicated then ask me the questions and I'll do my best to answer immediately or find out the answer as soon as possible. You can ask your questions by adding a comment to the bottom of any of my articles or blog entries, just click the 'add comment' link at the top.
Just don't pose me any General Knowledge questions - I'm rubbish at Pub Quizzes!
- Jan Harney's blog
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Comments
Getting married outside own parish
Finally decided on a date for wedding but come across small problem. My husband to be's family live in Scotland mine in Lancashire. We've decided to get married in the Lake district for a couple of reasons 1 because it's central for everyine to travel to but mainly for sentimental reasons due to the fact I've been visiting one particular part of lake district since I was 4 years old (i'm 35 now) due to my family being lucky enough to have a boat. My grandfathers ashes are scattered there also my father died a number of years ago but we shared many happy memories there when he was alive. Since I met mhy husband to be (8 years ago) he to has been visiting the lakes with me and agrees it's a special place. My problem is without a doubt I want to get married in church. I've read that it's not always possible if you don't live in the parish. Have you any suggestions what I can do? If the local vicar wouldn't condsider doing the ceremony would they consider a blessing?
Hi Natasha You haven't said
Hi Natasha
You haven't said when you plan to marry, but you have a number of options. One is to find a church in the Lakes where you feel at home, and then attend church on a regular basis for 6 months. The other option is to live in the area for 15 days prior to applying for a licence to marry there. As far as I am aware that stipulation would apply even if you were to plan a registry wedding.
If you feel that you already have a demonstrable link with a particular church then do start the conversation there. The Minister will advise you regarding the possibility of either a wedding or a service of blessing there.
It's a lovely part of the world. I conducted a gorgeous wedding there for Newlyweds Bride-to-be blogger Mrs Cardigan last September (see my blog entry 'Knitting Together two Cardigans'.)
Hope you can arrange something that works for you all
warm regards
Jan
about wedding
me and my boyfriend are planning to get married in church of england near where he lives. His portuguese and im filipina, can u please tell us what to do first before preparing a wedding?i mean should we bring some documents? and is it possible to have a simple wedding with some friends, as both our parents are not here.
hope u can help us.thank you!
Dear Reader You haven't
Dear Reader
You haven't really supplied enough information concerning your own British residency for a complete answer. As far as paperwork is concerned you may need to consult your diocesan registrar - but your local Vicar will advise you on this.
I'm assuming you are legally old enough to get married. Your parents don't need to be present at the ceremony. We just need two people who know you and can confirm that they have witnessed your signing of the registers.
Apart from that, the choice is yours. Yes you can simply have a few friends around you on the day.
I wish you every happiness for the future
warm regards
jan
Multi-Faith Weddings
My partner is a muslim and I am CofE, can we get married in a church? If yes, can we get married in my parents parish (where I gew up) and can we have an Imam to officiate the wedding alongside the vicar?
Dear Reader The first answer
Dear Reader
The first answer is that anyone can get married in the local church where they live.
If you want to get married somewhere else you have to demonstrate that you have particularly close links with the church in question. You can then apply for an Archbishop's licence or you can start attending the church and after a period of about 6 months regular attendance you can ask to be put on the electoral role - which would then allow you to get married there.The other option is to move back in with your parents for 15 days before the wedding - in which case the procedure is an affidavit with the diocesan registrar rather than Banns being read.
The Vicar is the registrar so legally he or she needs to officiate. I'm not sure about the possibility of an Imam taking part in a Christian service. I'd be surprised if he was willing to do that but maybe he might want to add some prayers and a blessing. Some religious leaders are really keen on interfaith opportunities.
Sounds like you need to chat with the Vicar at your parent's parish church and with the Imam and see where it takes you. I'd be interested to hear the outcome of this.
Every blessing
Jan
My partner is catholic and I
My partner is catholic and I am not religious. We would like to get married in the Church of England church close to our parents homes (where we grew up but not where we now live) and we would like my uncle who is a catholic missionary priest to conduct the service. Is that possible?
Dear Reader There are
Dear Reader
There are several questions to answer here.
The first is that anyone can get married in the local church where they live - so your partner being a catholic wouldn't be a problem to us.
If you want to get married somewhere else it's a little more complicated and you usually have to demonstrate that you have particularly close links with the church in question. You can then apply for an Archbishop's licence (costing about £30).
Another option is if you visit your parents regularly you can start attending the church and after a period of about 6 months regular attendance you can ask to be put on the electoral role - which would then allow you to get married there.
I'm not sure about the possibility of your uncle conducting the service. As I mentioned in a previous posting under Ask the Vicar, the local Vicar (parish priest) is the registrar and another minister can take part in the service with the permission of the Vicar - but I'm not sure how that works across denominations.
I've certainly known of Catholic priests taking a part in the service - perhaps preaching or reading some of the prayers - but I don't know what the RC rules would be for your uncle actually marrying you .But he would be able to answer that one.
I know that as an Anglican ordained minister I'm only allowed to marry someone in an Anglican church.
Sounds like you need to start conversations with the Vicar at your parent's parish church - sooner rather than later.
Hope that's helpful
jan