Whether your marriage is to take place in a church or a
registry office, there are certain preliminaries that you must go through
when arranging the ceremony. The following is only intended as a very
basic guide; any detailed queries that you may have should be addressed to
your minister or superintendent registrar.
Both Church of England and Catholic services require the "banns"
[announcement in church about a forthcoming wedding] to be called on three
consecutive Sundays before the wedding - it is therefore very important
that you consult with your priest in good time; at least six weeks prior
to the occasion, preferably more. Catholic priests should be advised a
good six months in advance, in order to arrange the necessary instructions
to the couple.
Normally the service will take place at the bride's family church, so long
as one of you is a baptised Christian, and you meet laid down residential
requirements. For Catholic weddings, your local priest can want the
necessary dispensation if either you or your partner is not Catholic. You
will also need to discuss your choice of music, hymns and the order of
service. In Church of England ceremonies you also have to decide which of
the three versions of vows currently available you wish to use.
