Planning Your Wedding

Not necessarily. You can marry in your local parish church, or in another church where you can show a Qualifying Connection. You must be 18 years old to get married in England (it is no longer possible to marry at 16 with parental consent)

A Qualifying Connection is a recognised link with the parish where you wish to marry.

You may have a Qualifying Connection if one of you:

• has lived in the parish for at least six months
• was baptised in the parish
• was prepared for confirmation there and the confirmation is recorded in a church register in the parish
• has regularly attended Church of England services in the parish for at least six months.

You may also have a connection if, during your lifetime, one of your parents lived in the parish or regularly attended Church of England services there for at least six months, or if one of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish.

If you are marrying here because of a Qualifying Connection, we will need evidence of that connection.

No. You do not need to be baptised or already attend church. If you would like to explore baptism as part of your preparation, we are happy to talk this through with you.

The process is:

1. Contact the Parish Office for an application pack.
2. If you are marrying by Qualifying Connection, provide evidence of your connection.
3. Have your identification documents checked.
4. Attend marriage preparation.
5. Contact the Priest taking your service. This is your responsibility.
6. Complete the legal preliminaries. For most couples this means Banns, but in some circumstances a Licence or Marriage Schedule may be required.
7. Fees are invoiced around six weeks before the wedding.
8. Attend your rehearsal.

If you do not already have a Qualifying Connection, you can establish one by regularly attending Church of England services in the relevant parish for at least six months. Church of England guidance recommends attending at least once a month for six consecutive months.

In the Witney Benefice, this attendance must be in person. We use a service attendance form, available from the Parish Office, so that your attendance can be recorded.

Please allow around 8 to 9 months before your proposed wedding date so that there is enough time to complete the attendance period and the necessary legal arrangements.

Legally, the Qualifying Connection only needs to apply to one of you. However, we encourage both of you to attend so that you can become part of the worshipping community where you are preparing to marry.

No. If you are establishing a Qualifying Connection through regular worship, you can attend any of the churches in the Witney Benefice.

A church wedding may still be possible.

You will need to complete a Marriage in Church after Divorce form and discuss your circumstances with the Priest. If a wedding is not appropriate, we may be able to offer a Service of Blessing instead.

If you are divorced, you will need your Decree Absolute or Final Order before we can proceed.

If one of you is not a UK or Irish national, please contact the Parish Office or Weddings Coordinator for information about the correct process to follow.

Please contact us as early as possible, as the legal process can take time.

You can marry in a church where you have a Qualifying Connection.

You will normally need to apply for a Common Licence, and we will help you with the process.

Banns are a public announcement in church that you intend to marry. They must normally be read on three Sundays during the three months before the wedding. If you live outside the Benefice, you may also need to have your Banns read in your own parish church and provide us with the Banns certificate. Most couples marry by Banns.

In some circumstances, including where there is not enough time for Banns to be read or where one or both of you lives abroad, a Common Licence may be required. Other legal procedures may apply in particular circumstances. We will advise you about what is needed.

Church of England wedding fees are set nationally and reviewed each year.

There are also local charges for services or facilities used for your wedding. These may include a Verger, Organist, choir, bells or streaming at St Mary’s.

The Parish Office will confirm the current fees and provide details of the charges that apply to your wedding.

Please contact us before booking your reception venue, photographer or other suppliers.

If you need to establish a Qualifying Connection through regular worship, allow around 8 to 9 months before your proposed wedding date.

We also need time to check your identification documents, confirm that a Priest is available and complete the necessary legal arrangements before your wedding can be confirmed.

Weddings can take place between 8am and 6pm, subject to the church and a Priest being available.

In the Witney Benefice, we do not usually offer weddings during Advent or Lent, or on Sundays. Other dates may also be unavailable because of existing church bookings.

Yes, subject to agreement with the Priest and the church.

If your wedding is filmed, recorded or streamed, copyright and performers’ rights may mean that additional permissions, licences or fees are required, particularly where music is included. We will advise you about what applies to your wedding.

St Mary’s can also stream a wedding service on YouTube, either publicly or privately for invited guests. Please ask the Parish Office about the available options and current charges.