Church wedding if not Christened

[douggym]

I am told that if the Bride or the Groom or both parties have not been Christened, then they cannot marry in a Church of England church. Can you tell me if this is so and what are the rules?

[Buenchico]

You can marry in your local parish church but possibly not elsewhere:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/weddin gs

Chris

[saxy_jag]

I think it depends very much on the priest/vicar of the church concerned.

I wasn't baptised into any church, and my bloke was baptised and a member of his URC church, but we married in a CofE church outside either of the parishes we lived in at the time.

There is a very picturesque church near to us that's set in the grounds of an agricultural college, along with the lost village that it used to serve. Hence the only parishioners are those who live on the college estate and so very few weddings take place there. The minister will not marry or baptise anyone who's not connected with his parish in some way, and that's purely down to his discretion.

[toby99]

I am afraid I agree with Tonyted - you should not marry (or want to) if you have not been christened (or are not religious). I could perhaps understand if one of the party has not been, but not if both. Can you expand though - Have they not been christened out of choice or not got round to it and what are their religious beliefs?

[brionon]

tonyted
Fri 21/03/08
01:24 If one has not been Christened or confirmed, then why on earth would one want to be married in a church?
It can't be on religious grounds.
So, maybe, it's because it's fashionable or picturesque or good for the photographs.

Maybe,like me ,you did it for your spouse ? Just as I've allowed my kids to be christened. So NOT fashion or the rest . Try using your brain,mate.

[saxy_jag]

Sorry, tonyted, but you don't have to be baptised or confirmed in order to be a true christian. You either believe or you don't, and if you do, then there's no reason (minister permitting) why you shouldn't be married in your god's house.

[smudge]

Neither of our daughters were Christened, but both had weddings at the same Church.

Tonyted - I would agree with you, but it was our choice not to have them Christened, but their choice to have Church weddings.

[styley]

Stevey5, what an amazing point.

[Jenga]

Non believers money is as good as believers, as one does have to pay to get married in a church.