Registry Office vs Church Marriage

black-saturn

I could do with picking your brains. We are getting married in just under 2 year time and havn't booked a venue yet. We are deciding between getting married at the local registry office (5 minutes walk) or in a local church. From those of you who are married what's the pro's and cons of both?

Also would a church marry us as my intended is divorced?

Also I don't want to get married at the local church as it's horrible and would rather get married at another church in this town. Is this possible and how would you go about it?

Sorry for the questions.

All useful answers will be thanked.

ailuro2

It all depends on what beliefs you both hold, whether the churches expect you to be regular churchgoers to get married in them.

Some registry offices are very nice these days.

fwiw we married in Vegas, but we both still felt the ceremony was done 'before God' and it felt very sincere.:D

CarolnMalky

Congrats Black Saturn...worth giving the church a call and having a wee talk with the minister/vicar.

Visit the registry office too , and see what "feels" best to you both.

Carol

black-saturn

So you actually have to be churchgoers to get married in a church? I've NEVER been in a church in my life.

ailuro2

Some churches do expect that,yes!

CarolnMalky

Not all do to be honest...as long as you go weekly before the wedding...worth asking the vicar.

Tomthumb

black-saturn wrote:

Also I don't want to get married at the local church as it's horrible and would rather get married at another church in this town. Is this possible and how would you go about it?

quote]

Okay, as the previous poster said, I also think it should be about your beliefs, are you a regular church goer? I married in a registry office 10 years ago because, even though I loved the church in the village where I grew up (and was christened) I did not go to church and have no particular beliefs - I'm sure the picture's would have been great outside the beautiful church but I felt that it would have been wrong to use it in this way.

That's just my opinion though

Just a thought, have you looked at other venues, there are lots of fabulous places where you can get married now!

black-saturn

Tomthumb wrote:

Just a thought, have you looked at other venues, there are lots of fabulous places where you can get married now!

How do you find out where these venues are?

Ms_Chocaholic

Your local Council grants licences to establishments where weddings can be held (these can be castles, hotels), so try your local Council website.

Becles

I'm Christian, but my husband isn't. He said it would have felt wrong getting married in church as he doesn't believe in any religion.

My local registry office is in a tatty looking terraced house overlooking Homebase and Kwik Save - nice! His local registry office is in a 60's concrete monstrosity bang in a city centre, which isn't very nice building either.

We were looking at local venues such as hotels and places of interest. A lovely one was an 1851 manor house in a local museum. It's a beautiful house, with a nice garden and they would have decorated a tram car to take us to and from the museum entrance. It was too expensive though

Have a look on places like www.hitched.co.uk and www.confetti.co.uk I'm sure they had lists of hotels etc., where you could marry.

We ended up getting married at Gretna Green. We married in the original forge where countless runaway couples have married before us, so it was really special and romantic. We had a reception in a hotel up there, and guests stayed for 2 nights so the wedding lasted a whole weekend!

emzig123

I'm a Vicar's daughter so have a basic knowledge of Church Wedding guidelines! if you or your fiancee live in the parish of the church you wish to get married in there shouldn't be a problem. However, if you wish to get married in one outside of the area in which you live then it is at the Vicar's discretion and will also possibly require a Special Licence issued bythe Archbishop in which you will need to justify WHY you want to get married there. That is the systemas I understand it but you'd be best off checking with the vicar of the church you want to use. Good luck!!