Civil ceremony in a Chapel/Church?

Pricivius

Slightly strange query, but out of interest, is it possible to have a civil wedding ceremony in a church/chapel?

I appreciate that having a non-religious ceremony in a religious building is a bit odd, but is it banned? Is it up to the resident vicar/priest/reverend whether to allow it, or are their hands tied?

Just wondering...

ETA I am not looking to have a civil wedding in a church - I am just interested, that's all! No wedding plans for me at all!!!

SueMaggie

According to this page on the UK Government website -

You can have a civil ceremony or civil partnership at:

• a register office
• any venue approved by the local council, eg a stately home or hotel
• a religious premises where permission has been given by the organisation and the premises approved by the local authority.

thorsoak

Why would you want to have a civil ceremony in a religious setting?

Sounds a tad hypocritical to me "oh but it is so pretty"!

DigForVictory

Pick the site carefully - a live & active church may not be minded to cooperate but the historic sites are often deconsecrated & thus more likely to be viable possibilities. Whether it's a licensed/approved venue is the sticky bit for civil events.

If your preferred church/chapel won't, might they agree to a blessing after the civil ceremony?

ETA Thorsoak, not all weddings are 100% traditional & it may ease relatives past various prejudices if they think they're on holy ground.

Georgiegirl256

I agree with you, it is a bit odd, and also very hypocritical too.

I'm sure it can be done, but why would you want to?

fairy_lights

I'm not sure it's necessarily hypocritical, a person may have been a church goer when growing up, have strong family ties to the church and have had many happy times there, but not be a believer themselves. Traditionally churches were the heart of a community so I don't think it's necessarily that strange that someone would want to get married in one without being religious. At least OP is being honest, I know a lot of people who suddenly become Christians right before their wedding and abandon their new found faith in time for the reception!

missbiggles1

fairy_lights wrote: »

I'm not sure it's necessarily hypocritical, a person may have been a church goer when growing up, have strong family ties to the church and have had many happy times there, but not be a believer themselves. Traditionally churches were the heart of a community so I don't think it's necessarily that strange that someone would want to get married in one without being religious. At least OP is being honest, I know a lot of people who suddenly become Christians right before their wedding and abandon their new found faith in time for the reception!

The diffrence is, surely, that the OP wants a civil ceremony in a church? That strikes me as reallly unusual.

Slinky

I had a civil ceremony in a historic building, part of which had previously had religious connections. They were specifically not able to use the part which had the religious connection, the section we were in had not been consecrated.

Unless the rules have changed in the last 10 years I'll think you'll find this may still apply.

At a civil ceremony you are not able to use words/music of a religious nature either as it is a CIVIL ceremony not a religious one, hence the likely problem with the building.

Pricivius

Thanks for everyone's comments.

To clarify, I am simply asking the question out of curiosity. I am not engaged and have no plans to marry! I was just wondering what the rules were as I have only been to religious ceremonies in church and civil ceremonies in non-religious buildings.

I presume from everyone's comments that it would be at the discretion of the vicar/priest/reverend, but that they would be unlikely to agree due to the hypocrisy. That makes sense.

onlyroz

Perhaps an alternative would be to have a church ceremony conducted by a priest/vicar, but get them to remove all references to God from the vows etc.

Lily-Rose_3

Yes I think it's odd too. I kind of 'get' what fairy lights is saying a little bit, but to have a civil ceremony in Church is very strange IMO. Either have a religious ceremony in Church or a Civil Ceremony somewhere else. I think many Christians get sick of the Church being used in this manner, for peoples convenience, just because it's 'pretty.'

It's kind of like people suddenly pretending they are religious so their kids can get into a C of E or Catholic school. It really annoys me.

I know the OP isn't pretending anything, so I am not having a go at her, but still, it's annoying that someone says they want to get married in Church, but don't want anything to do with religion in the ceremony! Why get married in Church then? Why not get married in a Stately home or something?

It is hypocritical and wrong IMO. I don't know any Church that would allow it. Maybe the OP will find one. Our vicar would not allow it for sure.