A Complete Guide to Booking Your Church Wedding Ceremony
Are you thinking about getting married in a church setting? From costs to legalities, here's everything you need to know - amen to that!
The choice of venue for your ceremony is the first firm arrangement you’ll make for your wedding – and for many that involves saying their vows in a church setting. That’s why we’ve pulled together our ultimate guide to booking a church wedding ceremony, so you’ll know just exactly where to begin.
Because it’s often the simplest things that no one tells you about – such as the documents you’ll need to have to hand before you book, how long the ceremony will last, and which music or readings to choose – much of which will require some forward planning. So, here’s all you need to know to ensure a first-class service.
From church wedding costs to the ins and outs of both Church of England and Catholic Church wedding ceremonies, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about planning, booking and paying for a wedding in a church below.
Your Church Wedding Ceremony: Everything You Need to Know
From running orders to decorations to church wedding prices and what they include, we’ve covered your most-asked questions. Happy planning!
- How Much Does a Church Wedding Cost in the UK?
- How Do I Book a Church Wedding?
- How Does a Church Wedding Ceremony Work?
- How Do We Decorate the Church for the Ceremony?
How Much Does a Church Wedding Cost in the UK?
Though typically church wedding venues are cheaper compared to civil ceremony settings, couples planning a church ceremony will be faced with a couple of compulsory costs.
The required legal fee for Church of England wedding ceremonies is a maximum of £675 if you choose to marry away from where you live, or up to £567 if you marry in your home parish. This fee is the case across the board, no matter how large or small your church or guest list may be.
On the other hand, there is no direct cost to get married in a Roman Catholic church – it is said that the sacrament of marriage is a gift from God. However, it is expected that couples will usually pay a donation of around £150 to help with the upkeep and running of the Catholic Church.
What’s included in the church wedding fee?
The basic legal fee for Church of England weddings includes the cost of the vicar and the building itself, calling your banns, a banns certificate and all the administration. It’s also worth noting that the marriage certificate is no longer issued by the church, so this will need to be paid for separately at the relevant register office.
Of course, if couples would like to have additional touches such as church wedding flowers or decorations, or music from organists or bellringers, this would cost extra for both Church of England and Catholic Church weddings.
How Do I Book a Church Wedding?
The first thing to do is work out which church you’d like to marry in. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of marrying in your own local parish, or maybe you’d like to marry in a different church because it has special significance for you or your family in some way.
Booking your church wedding venue works in the same way as a civil ceremony in that your chosen church could get booked up months in advance. Talk to your vicar or priest as soon as possible, particularly if you’re planning on tying the knot during peak wedding season.
It’s also worth contacting the church at the same time as your planned reception venue to ensure you can book both for the same date. Or, make things even simpler by browsing wedding venues with churches and chapels on site.
How do Church of England weddings work?
Once you have secured the date, most Church of England marriages will require banns to be published before the wedding can take place – this will need to be arranged around four months before your wedding date.
What are banns?
The marriage banns are a legal requirement for Church of England weddings. Your intention to marry is announced by your vicar or minister on three Sundays in the three months before your wedding. They must be read in your parish church as well as in the wedding church where your ceremony will take place. When booking your ceremony, your vicar will give you details of the wording.
If you’re marrying in a hurry, it is possible to skip having your banns read if you already have a connection to the church – but you will need to apply for a common licence. Expect to pay around £200 for this. You may also need this licence if one of you isn’t a British citizen or currently lives outside of the UK.
Do I need to be a member of the church to marry there?
Traditionally, you had to be associated with a church to marry there, but thanks to a change in the law, there’s now much more flexibility about which one you can wed in. Now, only one of you is required to have a connection with the parish concerned – perhaps you were christened there, lived there at any time for at least six months or attended the church for six months or more.
For the full list of permissible connections, chat to the vicar or priest, or visit the official Church of England or Catholic Church of England and Wales websites.
Can we have a Catholic church wedding if one of us isn’t Catholic?
Yes, the Catholic Church allows for mixed marriages, though you’ll need to ensure you have the blessing of your parish priest beforehand, so make sure you mention this in your initial meeting.
What documentation will I need to book my church wedding?
In the case of Church of England weddings, you will need to present the following documents upon booking:
- Passport (or other proof of nationality)
- Decree of absolute (if either of you are divorced)
- Evidence of your connection to the church, such as a utility bill which shows your address or your parents’ marriage certificate if they were married there
In the case of a Catholic Church wedding ceremony, you may also need to present the following documents upon booking:
- Written evidence that you are free to marry; first and foremost that neither of you have been married before. If either partner has been married before, this should be discussed with your priest at your initial meeting
- Baptism certificate for the Catholic partner (original or copy)
- Confirmation certificate for the Catholic partner (though not always required)
It’s worth noting that Scotland has some different rules relating to church weddings. For example, provided it is conducted by an authorised minister, clergyman or priest, a religious ceremony can take place anywhere in Scotland – not just inside a registered church building. Be sure not to leave it too late, however – at least 15 days’ and three months’ notice must be given at the register office in the district.
How Does a Church Wedding Ceremony Work?
As with all legally binding weddings, church wedding ceremonies must take place between 8am and 6pm and be witnessed by at least two people. While the order of service can change, typically the ceremony will start with a welcome from the vicar or priest, where he or she will speak about the purpose of marriage and God’s will for it.
This will then be followed by declarations and vows, along with readings and hymns, before the exchanging of rings and signing of the paperwork.
How long does a church wedding ceremony last?
A Church of England wedding ceremony can last anywhere between 20-45 minutes, depending on the number of readings and hymns chosen, while Catholic Church celebrations can last up to an hour or more if it includes a full mass and communion.
Usually a church ceremony is longer than a civil ceremony, which often lasts somewhere between 20-30 minutes.
Can we have personalised vows in a church wedding?
If you’re looking to write your own vows, a church wedding might not be for you. At Church of England wedding ceremonies, there are three legally approved forms of church wedding vows for a marriage service, none of which can be changed or modified.
What you can do, however, is include additional readings, poems, Christian wedding songs or Bible verses about marriage that are especially meaningful to you as part of the ceremony. You’ll need to discuss these for approval from your vicar or clergyman.
Catholic Church wedding vows are also traditionally standardised, and though there may be more flexibility to modify the wording, it’s generally discouraged. Chat with your priest or deacon about this when you meet.
Can we hold our reception at a separate venue?
While some churches will have the amenities – such as a church hall – to host receptions on the premises at extra cost, many won’t have a church and wedding venue, and so it’s largely expected that couples will go on to host their reception at a separate wedding venue.
When booking your reception venue, it’s important to take into consideration how your guests will travel there from the church. Is it a walkable distance or will they be required to drive or take public transport? Perhaps you’d prefer to book transport for their onward journey to both make things easier and retain a celebratory atmosphere early on. Either way, clear communication beforehand is vital.
How Do We Decorate the Church for the Ceremony?
Since there are many things at a church wedding that can’t be personalised, celebrating in a space that feels unique to you is important for many couples. One of the simplest ways to do that is with your church wedding decorations.
First and foremost, speak to your vicar or priest about what exactly is allowed, as every church will be different. Floral arrangements will be the easiest way to convey a wedding theme, colour scheme or season – key areas to decorate with flowers include pew ends, the table where you will sign the register, both sides of the aisle or altar, around pillars, and on windowsills.
Some churches may also permit fairy lights, signs and tea-lights and candles – though electric ones may be safer in older buildings.
Can I decorate the church with my own flowers?
Many churches will often recommend someone from the parish who can create floral displays for you at an extra cost – but speak to your vicar or priest if you are keen on doing your own or bringing in a particular vendor. It’s also worth asking where the floral displays are allowed and best situated – the last thing you want is large arrangements blocking your guests’ view of the ceremony!
Can we have confetti at our church wedding?
Whether or not your church allows confetti will vary from church to church – so be sure to speak to your vicar or priest and let your guests know ahead of time. Some may permit natural petal or biodegradable confetti.
Church booked? It’s time to start thinking more about your ceremony details with our guide to your order of service.
