Church of England marriages require banns to be read out in church before the wedding can take place. Although a legal requirement, banns can be a special occasion too.
Here’s your guide to the calling of banns:-
- Banns are an ancient legal tradition and have been read out every week in churches across the land for millions of couples, over many centuries.
- Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as the church in which you are to be married, if that is somewhere else.
- Banns are an announcement in church of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a legal objection on why the marriage may not take place.
- You must have your banns read out in church for three consecutive Sundays during the three months before the wedding.
- Banns are only valid for 3 months before the wedding, it is therefore advisable that you contact the vicar 5 months before your actual wedding date, so that everything can be in place within the legal timescales.
- As well as being a legal requirement, your banns readings are special public occasions when people in church hear of your intention to marry. It’s an exciting and happy time, so you’re welcome to invite your family and friends to come along with you to hear your banns called.
- If there is not enough notice given for the banns to be read before the date of the marriage, or if one or both of you are British but do not live in England (or Wales), the Common Licence procedure needs to be used rather than banns.
- There is a cost for the calling of Banns which is currently £35.00, if you are marrying outside of the parish you will also need a banns certificate which is an additional £11.00. This you will need to give to the vicar who is marrying you before your wedding.
To arrange the calling of your banns please contact our vicar, The Reverend Kevin Greaves