If you are planning to get married in a Methodist Church, here are some guidelines to help you.
What is the first step?
Usually a couple wishing to have a Church wedding should approach the Methodist Minister of the church at which they wish to be married. This would normally have to be in the civil registration district in which they live.
Marriage preparation is provided at a local level by the Circuit ministers. The best route is to start making links with the minister likely to conduct the wedding. As part of the legal process, prospective marriage partners will need to go to the local registry office and will be given a copy of a book called ‘Married Life’, which is a helpful resource for people thinking about the implications of getting married. The MethodistChurch produced a Christian Preparation for Marriage report in 1998. There is also an ecumenical website about marriage preparation.
One of us is divorced. Is that OK?
The rules and laws relating to divorce are not made by the church but by the State. The Methodist Church is not in a position to offer advice on couples’ pastoral situations. The best advice is to speak to the local minister or the superintendent minister of the circuit where you live.The MethodistChurch is generally willing to marry people who have been divorced, while their previous spouse is still alive, as long as there are not major obvious reasons why it would be inappropriate to do so. There are some ministers who will not marry someone who has been divorced, but such a minister will refer the couple to a minister who is willing to marry divorced people.
The local minister will be able to explain the legalities about going to the registrar for a certificate and so on. The MethodistChurch does not argue that the grounds for divorce should be changed from the present ones. We would certainly encourage a couple going through difficulties in their relationship to seek advice, counseling and support to see if they can rebuild it. We would also expect people to take very seriously their responsibilities to any children of the marriage.
Does one of us have to be a Methodist?
People wanting to marry in church don’t have to be members of the church, but most ministers will ask them why they wish to marry in church. A church marriage is a solemn Christian ceremony, with prayers and Bible readings reflecting Christian understandings of what marriage is about. Whilst people wishing to marry in a Methodist church do not need to be church members, most ministers will look for a genuine desire on the part of a couple to take their marriage seriously along the lines set out in the service. Discussing what this means in practice will be part of the marriage preparation.
What if we are from two different denominations?
Many marriages in Methodist churches (and many couples marrying in Methodist churches) include people from different Christian denominations. Where two people from different church traditions marry, it is quite common for ministers from both churches to take part in the ceremony. This is welcomed. Sometimes, people from different faiths marry – and there is advice available for such marriages.
Some helpful Information
Marriage notice forms
A marriage notice form helps the Registrar collect information about your ceremony and prepare your details for registration. The forms can be downloaded using the link below.
About the forms
Both of you should fill out a marriage notice form and return them to the Registrar of the district in which you are to marry, along with the relevant documents and fees. The forms must be served on the Registrar at least 14 days before the date of the intended marriage.
For example, if your marriage takes place in Belfast but you live in Armagh, you will need to complete your marriage notice forms in Belfast.
The Belfast Registrar’s office is located in Adelaide Exchange, 24-26 Adelaide Street, Belfast. You can phone the Registrar’s office on 028 9027 0274 or email registrar@belfastcity.gov.uk A marriage notice form lasts for 12 months from the date of notice.
Fees
A standard charge of £30 applies to fill out your marriage notice forms. You should pay this when you return your forms to the Registrar.
Documents you will need
When returning your marriage notice forms, both of you must provide the following documents:
your full (long version) birth certificate (authorised photocopies are not acceptable).
your passport.
a consent form (if you aged 16 or 17) - these are available from the Registrar.
if you have been married before and the marriage was dissolved, a certificate of divorce or annulment or a certified copy decree (decrees must be absolute or final).
If you have been married more than once, only the documents for your most recent marriage are required.
if you have entered into a civil partnership before, a court order of dissolution for that partnership.
if you are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner, the death certificate of your former spouse or civil partner.
Full terms and conditions relating to these documents, as well as information about nationality requirements, are available from the guidance notes which accompany your marriage notice form.
Type of marriage
If you are planning a Church wedding, you should speak to your officiant/Minister before filling out your marriage notice forms as s/he will need to sign them. The Officient/Minister will be happy to discuss any issues and offer any support as you prepare for this very important event. Your forms should then be posted or delivered to the Registrar.
If you are having a civil ceremony, you should make advance arrangements with the Registrar. This is particularly important during busy times of the year.
Getting married?
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