Getting Married in Church - A Church of England Wedding - faith, hope and love.

A Church of England Wedding - Back 'Home' (h)
Find A Church
Ceremony Planner

The cost of church weddings

There is no doubt that the choices you make about your wedding day can make a huge impact on the cost.

If you choose to marry in church, we want it to be a day that is personal and special for you, but that need not mean you spend a fortune.

See ideas for keeping the cost of your wedding down.

There is a relatively small legal fee for marrying in a church. It is £321.50*, which includes all legal necessities. This is set by the Church of England nationally. It may vary slightly for you depending on your circumstances. A full breakdown of the legal fees can be viewed here.

These fees have ancient origins and make a contribution to the provision of a church in your community.

So for just the legal elements, your church wedding can cost less than £350. But you may want more. Flowers, an organist, a choir, bell-ringers, etc, are optional additional services that can be provided by your church. If you ask for any of these, then this will add to the final cost. Read more about this.

You will need to work out all these costs with the Vicar early on so that you know what to expect on your final bill. It is good practice for the church to provide you with an itemised bill before your wedding so that you can see exactly what you will be paying for.

Read more on church fees.

* This figure is based on a couple living at the same address and marrying outside their own parish and includes:

  • the fee set by law payable to the church: £262 
  • your marriage certificate: £3.50 
  • having your banns read at the home church: £22
  • having your banns read at the church where you will marry: £22
  • your banns certificate: £12

Total legal fee: £321.50

Did You Know ?

New stats just out show biggest annual increase in church weddings in a decade. Read more

We'd love to see you at Wedding Fairs across the UK this year. Read more

There are some special things you need to know if you're a non-British national and would love a CofE wedding. Find out more

You don't have to promise to 'obey' in the vows of modern marriage services

You are welcome to marry in a CofE church whatever your beliefs

If you marry abroad, you can come home to a church ceremony

A wedding is legal only if it happens between 8am and 6pm