If you want a religious ceremony, you can marry in an Anglican Church or any other religious building registered for marriage.
Marriage in the Church of England or Church in Wales
Speak to the vicar of the church in which you wish to marry. There is no need usually to involve the local registration office.
Religious ceremony other than in Church of England or Church of Wales
Arrange to see the person in charge of marriages at the building to arrange a suitable date and time
You should normally be resident in the same district as the church or religious building
Give formal notice of marriage at your local registration office, unless one of you is subject to immigration control. The requirements are the same as for civil marriage.
Information regarding the registration of a building for worship and/or marriage, providing updates and notifying of disuse.
The Places of Worship Registration Act 1955 and the Marriage Act 1949 provide for a building or room(s) used by a religious congregation, to be registered for religious worship and the solemnisation of marriages. Applications are made to the Superintendent Registrar of the registration district where the building is located, and then forwarded to the General Register Office to be recorded. A certificate of registration is then returned to the applicant. The guidance leaflet fully explains the process and an application form for certifying a place of worship and an application form for registering a building for marriage can be downloaded.
Once a building has been registered, the trustees or governing body have certain responsibilities of updating the General Register Office with any changes to the building which may affect the registration.
When a congregation stop worshipping in the registered building, a form to disuse the building needs to be completed. This form is sent to the Superintendent Registrar of the district where the building is located and forwarded to the General Register Office who will cancel the registration. This cancellation will be advertised in both the London Gazette and the district's local newspaper.
Further information and guidance for the clergy is available on the Home Office website including forms, guides and newsletters.