AisleDash

While destination weddings and unusual venues are growing in popularity, many English couples still prefer to have a traditional church wedding. However, it isn't as easy as you might think. It's not simply a matter of finding a pretty church in a beautiful setting and booking it for your wedding. Oh no. The Church of England has long been quite snippy about who may exchange vows within the hallowed walls of their church buildings.

An old law states that you need to live within the church's parish, or attend the church, if you want to get married there. It made no difference if you grew up near the church, or your parents still live close by. You had to reside there yourself. Which wasn't always possible, especially with climbing house prices in those picture perfect villages forcing newly weds to leave their picturesque home towns and buy a more affordable house elsewhere.

But all this is set to change. The new law which should take effect in autumn, mean that you will be able to get married in a church that has special significance to you, even if you don't attend it or live nearby. Which we think is very good news indeed.

Perhaps we'll see a rise in the number of church weddings in the not-too-distant future.