Getting married in Christchurch Priory

Last updated Tuesday, 18 March, 2025

Christchurch Priory is a beautiful Church and is a special place to many families.  It’s therefore not surprising that we have many couples wishing to be married here.  We are always delighted to support couples in their marriage preparations but there are often lots of questions in the early stages so we have set out how things work in a wedding booklet.  If you'd like a paper copy, please contact the Parish Office.

If you would like to be married in Christchurch Priory, the first step in the process is to speak with our Vicar.  They will run through with you your eligibility to be married here, make sure there is no legal reason why they can not marry you here and identify a date / time for your service. We are subject to national rules on who can be considered eligible to marry in this Church.  The typical criteria which would grant eligibility are:

* One of you having been baptised in the Parish

* One of you having been confirmed in the Parish

* One of your parents or grandparents having been married in the Parish

* One of both of you having lived in the Parish for at least six months

* One of your parents having lived in the Parish for at least six months (during your lifetime)

* One or both of you having regularly attended our services for at least six months

* One of your parents having regularly attended our services for at least six months (during your lifetime)

However, the Vicar must establish your eligibility for themselves and will talk you through how to establish a connection by regular attendance if that is the appropriate route for you.

We are flexible on when weddings happen; dates which fall on Monday to Saturday are possible, but we don’t book weddings on a Sunday.  We will always try to make your preferred date work but, if getting married here is an essential part of your wedding day, we therefore suggest that you don’t book your reception etc until you have spoken with the Vicar and looked at which dates / times would be possible.  

If you feel that you are ready to book a wedding at Christchurch Priory, please make contact with the Parish Office.  They will identify a time when the Vicar can meet with you both – either in person at the Vicarage or online via Zoom.  It’s often possible for that to be outside “typical” working hours.

The Parish Office is generally staffed 9am – 3pm, Monday to Friday; our offices are not open to the public but please do feel free to get in touch by email (parishoffice@christchurchpriory.org) or phone (01202 143859).