Getting Married

This guide is designed to help you plan your wedding ceremony in Chester

Legal Aspects

Unless the performing minister is ensuring the Banns are read or a Common License is issued, it is the responsibility of both the prospective Bride and Groom to ensure individual notice of marriage is given to the Superintendent Registrar.

It is a legal requirement that both of you have lived within a registration district in England or Wales for at least seven days before notice is given - notice being given at the same office if you live in the same district or at separate offices if you live in separate districts.  A notice to marry will be valid for 12 months, but is only valid for the venue named.

Once notice has been given you must wait a further 15 days before the marriage can take place.

You will need to take with you documents that confirm your name, age, marital status and nationality (a current passport will usually do as will a birth certificate and a current bank statement, utility bill etc.).  If you are widowed you will need to supply the death certificate of the spouse and if you are divorced a decree absolute is also required.

Costs

There are certain costs involved when you give notice of marriage, details of which can be obtained from the registrar (External Link).

The Ceremony

You can get married in registry office, church, chapel or any building that has been formally registered for marriage ceremonies (some hotels and even football grounds are now allowed to hold ceremonies) 

A civil ceremony must be of a strictly non-religious nature.  Details of Registry Offices in Cheshire can be found at the Cheshire County Council Registration Pages (external link) although you may marry at any Registry Office in England or Wales.

If you wish to be married in a place of religious worship you will generally have to live with the parish.  If a minister is able to perform the ceremony he will arrange for the Banns to be read or for a Common Licence to be issued as well as registering the wedding with the Registrar.

The Reception

You can hold your wedding reception wherever you think is appropriate - from a local community centre to a lavish hotel or even Chester Town Hall.  If you decide to employ outside caterers or organisers, take a look at the online version of the Yellow Pages (external link) to find the ones in your area.

Honeymooning in Chester

Chester is an ideal location for a honeymoon with many of the City's hotels catering for newly weds.  Using Chester City Council's online accommodation booking (external link) you can find the best hotel to suit your needs.

Other Details

Remember, if the bride takes her husband's name there are a few organisations she must notify of the name change.  They include:

• Banks and Building Societies
• Benefits Agency  (external link)
• Council Tax
• Credit and Store Card
• Doctor
• Dentist
• DVLA  (external link)
• Employer
• Finance Companies
• Inland Revenue    (external link)
• Insurance Companies
• Loan Companies
• Mail Order Catalogues
• Motoring Organisations
• Passport Office  (external link)
• Pension Company
• Premium Bond Office
• Professional Bodies