Islington Council

Making the choice of where to have your service

Before you start making arrangements for your big day you will need to decide what kind of ceremony you want.

If you want to have a civil marriage ceremony, or a civil partnership, click Applying for your civil ceremony

If you are interested in a religious service, then read the information below

Religious Ceremonies

A religious ceremony can take place at a church or chapel of the Church of England, or at any other place of worship that has been formally registered by the Registrar General for marriages. Please note that under the current legislation it is not possible to form a civil partnership in a church or other religious building.

Church of England

If you wish to be married in the Church of England, you should first arrange to see your parish priest to discuss your marriage. You will generally be able to marry in the Church of England providing that you or your partner lives in the parish. If your parish priest is able to marry you he will arrange for the Banns of Marriage to be published or for a common licence to be issued. The Banns are the public announcement in a parish church that a marriage is going to take place between two named people. The Banns are read aloud during the service on three successive Sundays preceding the ceremony. Your parish priest will also register the marriage. There is generally no need to involve the local Superintendent Registrar.

Documents you May Need to Produce

When you meet with your parish priest you will need to produce documents to confirm your name, age, marital status and nationality. A passport or birth certificate, together with any document that shows your name and address will be required. Please contact the parish priest to confirm what is required. If you have been married before you will also need to produce documents to confirm that you are now free to marry. These could include a court-stamped copy of the Decree Absolute or a copy of your late partner’s Death Certificate.

Other Places of Religious Worship

If you wish to marry by religious ceremony other than in the Church of England, you first need to arrange to see the minister or other person in charge of marriages at the building. The church or religious building in question must normally be in the registration district where you or your partner live and must be approved for marriage. It will also be necessary for both of you to give formal notice of marriage to the Superintendent Registrar of the district where you live. A registrar may also need to be booked for the ceremony.