The Legal Bits

I'm afraid that there are a few legalities we must walk through together to make your Wedding a success.

Can we get married in the Priory Church?

If either of you live within the boundaries of this parish church (which are not quite the same as the civil parish boundaries!) then yes, you can marry in the Priory Church. 

  • Click here to check if you live within the boundaries of this Parish. (opens a map of the Parish)

If this applies to you please open the next page all about Banns of Marriage

  • Click here to check which Parish Church is your local Church. (type in your Post Code)

You must be old enough

If you are under 18 years old you will need your parents' consent to marry and by law you can not be married in the UK until you are 16.

Time of wedding

To be legal the wedding must take place between 8am and 6pm on any day.

Guidelines for divorcees

There are special guidelines on marriage in the church if you are divorced - but this does not mean that you can not be married in the Priory Church. So if either of you have been married before please talk to the about your situation as soon as possible.

What if neither of us live in the Parish?

Lots of people do marry in their own local Parish church, but you may like to marry in this Priory church even though it is not where you presently live because it has special significance for you through family or other connections.

If neither of you live within the boundaries of this Parish, you can still get married in the Priory Church if either of you can show just one of the seven connections with the parish listed below.

You can marry in the Priory Church, Deeping St James if you can show:-

That one of you:

  • has at any time lived in this parish for a period of at least 6 months or
  • was baptised in this parish or
  • was prepared for confirmation in this parish or
  • has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the Priory church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:

  • has lived in this parish for a period of at least 6 months or
  • has regularly gone to normal church services in the Priory church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents or grandparents:

  • was married in this parish

NB: In all cases involving church services - i.e. going to normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage - the rules above only apply to Church of England services. 

And did you know that, if you decide to move house into this Parish, you're immediately "connected" to the Priory Church? That means you can marry in the Priory Church after your Banns have been called.

Even if you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, let us help you explore whether it may still be possible for you to marry in this, your special church.  Talk to the Vicar as soon as possible to discuss the options open to you.

Your Local Parish Church

If you're marrying here in the Priory Church but it's not where you live, your local parish church would still love to support you as you prepare for the wedding, and afterwards too. 

For example they will have to Read your banns.

Your banns legally need to be read not only in the church where you will marry, but also in the local parish church of either of you that live outside this parish.

It is a time when your local church community will hear your names read out and they will pray for you and your forthcoming marriage. Many couples find this a moving and special occasion, so go along if you can.