New law makes church weddings easier

The Church of England has cleared the way for engaged couples to marry in the church of their choice with a new law launched today.

Under previous Church regulations, couples could only marry in churches they attended or that were located in the parish where they lived. The new law places fewer conditions on which of the Church of England's 16,000 churches couples are able to choose from, although the measure does not apply to cathedrals.

The Marriage Measure has been welcomed by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell.

"Getting married in church just got easier," he said. "People who are serious about getting married naturally want a marriage ceremony and a setting which is equally serious. Only the church provides this."

The bishop welcomed the possibility the new law brings for couples to marry in churches with a family or personal connection.

"From today those who have a connection with the church can be married in the church where they have that connection. This is good news. Loads of people want something only the church can offer: God's blessing on their marriage. Now it will be easier to provide it.

"Golf clubs and country houses, you have been warned," he added.

The launch of the Marriage Measure coincides with new research from wedding website Confetti.co.uk, which found that more people would choose a church wedding if they knew they could have one and that 53 per cent of the general population think that church weddings 'feel more proper'.

The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev David James, features in an advert announcing the launch of the Marriage Measure in the Yorkshire Post.

In it, the father of four daughters says, "There's plenty of evidence to say that a good marriage is more likely to keep you healthy, wealthy and wise.

"Bradford newly-weds tell us marriage has made them happier and their relationship stronger. Independent experts agree that marriage helps keep you together, and makes for better sex and better health.

"Add to that the fact that marriage protects you legally and financially, is the best context for bringing up children, and makes for a healthier society altogether, well, I make that seven heavenly reasons to get married.

"And getting married in church can add the extra special dimension," he said.

Under the Marriage Measure, couples will be able to marry in a church if:
• one of them was baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish
• if one of them has ever lived in the parish for six months or more
• if one of them has regularly attended public worship in the parish for at least six months
• if one of their parents has lived in the parish for at least six months in their child's lifetime
• if one of their parents has attended public worship for six months or more in their child's lifetime
• or if their parents or grandparents were married in the parish