Husband and wife

From the 4th of July weddings can take place in church again, although the government guidelines say only 30 people will be allowed to attend in person.

It is hoped as many churches as possible will be able to open safely for weddings which will probably still need to take place by Common Licence for the next month.

Weddings in church are normally solemnised within 3 months of the reading of banns, which happens 3 times, normally on 3 consecutive Sundays.

During lockdown it has been impossible to call Banns and, as a request to call banns needs to be 7 days before the first reading, the earliest a wedding could take place after Banns would be a month away.

It is likely therefore that couples wanting to tie the knot in July will need to apply for a Common licence.

Details of how to apply can be found here, or speak to your local incumbent to find out more.

Read the latest guidance from the Church of England here.