What are the legal requirements?
Where can I get married?
The law entitles you to be married in the Church of England Parish Church if either of you lives in the parish. If either of you is an active, worshipping member of another church, it is usually possible to be married there.
You can be married in Melbourne Parish Church, if you can demonstrate some connection with the parish - for example, if you used to live in the parish, or if you were baptised or confirmed here, if you have a family connection with the church here, or used to be an active member.
If you don't live in the parish, but are on the electoral roll (basically, a list of people expressing a desire to be part of the church and vote in electing its officers), you can be married here. To qualify in this way, you will need to attend church services regularly for six months before applying for membership.
In certain circumstances you can apply for a Special Licence. At the moment you can only have a Church of England wedding in a parish church or some other place of worship - normally one licensed by the Bishop.
It is not possible to have your church wedding in other venues like a hotel, or a hot air balloon!
What are banns?
The Church of England describes the banns as an announcement in church of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place.
You must have your banns read out in church for three Sundays during the three months before the wedding. This is often done over three consecutive Sundays. Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as at the church in which you are to be married, if that is another parish. It is usual for couples to be in church to hear their banns being read on at least one occasion, and preferably on all three occasions.
If the banns are called at another church, please collect the banns certificate after the third calling and give it to the minister performing the service at Melbourne.
Our Rector, Steve Short, will be happy to explain the banns application process to you. Call him on 01332 864741.
How old do I need to be?
If you are under the age of eighteen, you must have your parents' consent to marry.
What if one of us is divorced?
The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life. It also recognises that, sadly, some marriages do not work as planned. The Church accepts that, in exceptional circumstances, a divorced person may marry again in church during the lifetime of a former spouse.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Derby has issued guidelines to follow for clergy who may be willing to conduct such a marriage in church, if it appears following these guidelines that a marriage in church would be appropriate.
The parish priest will want to talk to you frankly about the past, your hopes for the future and your understanding of marriage. Please note that remarriage in church is not an automatic right. If it is not possible for your proposed marriage to take place in church, your priest may consider other alternatives with you, such as a Service of Prayer and Dedication after a civil ceremony.
How can I change my passport name before I get married?
If you are planning to change your surname after your marriage and would like to travel on your honeymoon with it, you can collect a form PD2 from the post office and bring it to the minister conducting your ceremony to sign.
Ready to talk? Contact us.