Under the Marriage Act 1949 only certain places in Britain are licensed for marriages. Most churches and chapels are licensed, and increasingly these days hotels and other similar locations.

If a person wishes to marry in a Register Office or hotel in any part of the country, that is not usually a problem. However, if a person wishes to marry in a Church of England (in England) or Church in Wales (in Wales) Anglican church, the Law says that (except in certain circumstances) a person may only marry in the church of the parish in which one or both of the parties normally resides.

This means that it is rarely possible for people to marry in a church outside of the parish in which they normally live, unless they are regular worshippers in that church.

More details on the Marriage Act and how it affects applications for marriage can be found on the Church in Wales site here.

Both Coity and Nolton churches are licensed for weddings. Both locations can usually provide bells and Coity a robed choir (additional fees payable), and it is not necessary to obtain either a marriage licence or the services of a Registrar. With a few exceptions weddings can be held in these churches on most days of the year, other than Sundays.

If you wish to use one of these churches for your ceremony, or would like to find out more about the process of marrying in church, please contact the Parish Office or one of the parish clergy.