Traditionally in England, most people married in Church. It is safe to say that no couples ever marry at home, unlike in the States.

However, registry office weddings became more popular some years ago. As a new generation turned away from the church, the registry office was one of the few places, other than a church, that people could marry.

At one time, it was usually assumed that a registry office wedding meant that the Bride was pregnant. However, more often than not this was not true. A registry office offered a cheaper means of marrying, which was essential to some couples. For those who also felt that they held no firm religious beliefs, a registry office wedding seemed to offer a more appropriate wedding.

In recent years, many of the rules surrounding English marriages seem to have relaxed or changed.

This means that these days many couples are choosing different venues for their wedding ceremony. Many hotels can now offer a complete wedding service, which means that the wedding can be held there, and the reception with overnight accommodation available if desired.

Venues that are more unusual have been theatres, zoos, swimming pools and one couple even opted to be married as they and their vicar rode on the wings of a plane. Currently the place has to have a license for wedding ceremonies but it looks likely that this will change. If, in future years, it is the person performing the ceremony who has to be licensed, expect even stranger venues.

Currently, whether you opt for a civil or a religious ceremony the marriage must-

Be conducted by a person, or in the presence of a person, authorised to register marriages in the district. The marriage must then be entered into the marriage register and signed by both parties, two witnesses, the person who conducted the ceremony and, if that person is not authorised to register marriages, the person who is registering the marriage.

You may have to book a wedding well in advance no matter which option you are taking.

Here are a few English wedding ceremony facts:-

Weddings are rare occurrences, if at all, on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.

Same sex marriages are now legal in the UK. These are classed as civil partnerships.

Bigamy is illegal.

At one time, an engagement was legally binding. This changed though in 1970, and an engagement is no longer legally binding.

Both persons to be married must be aged at least 16.However, despite this law, under 18s still need parental consent.

Blood relatives are not allowed to marry each other.

Enforced marriages are illegal in England.

To marry in a particular church you should reside in the parish. If you do not you will have to attend the church, for a period of time, as agreed with the vicar.

In recent years, girls seem to have been falling in love again with traditional weddings. They now seem to want a huge ceremony, fairytale dress, and more. In fact, whether they marry in church, or have a civil service, most couples want the works. This can be expensive.

One other noticeable difference these days is, couples often wait to marry until they have at least one child. There is no stigma attached to this nowadays. Whether the reason is financial, or not, there is nothing rare about a couple with three children, for example, marrying in church.

Divorce rates are high though, in England. The church is still reluctant to marry divorced individuals, although some churches will agree to do so.

Although many people in England marry, far more seem to just live together these days. Some may marry after many years of cohabiting. Sadly, all too many of these marriages will end in divorce, no matter how long the couple have lived together.