Getting Married in the Parish of Upper Nidderdale

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Revd Peter L. Dunbar

You may have read or heard that the rules about Holy Matrimony within the Church of England have changed. The changes mean that people may ask to be married if the following criteria apply:
• If either partner has an address in the parish and both partners are unmarried or widowed
• If either partner has a strong connection with the parish e.g. was baptised or confirmed here
• If parents or grandparents have an address in or a strong connection with the parish
• If both partners regularly attend church in the parish and have their names on the church electoral roll.

You do not have to be a churchgoer to be married in church; a residence qualification is all that’s required. It’s important to know that simply living in the parish confers rights to be married in the parish church. You can choose any one of our 5 licensed buildings for your wedding.

We do not allow any of our churches to be “booked” so that other licensed clergy can officiate, though we warmly welcome visiting clergy to take part in the service at the request of the couple.

We are delighted to offer a Service of Blessing for those who have registered a second marriage.

We hope our church communities are lively, welcoming and inclusive – remember, we are all God’s children and equal in his sight!