Marriage

A wedding is one of life's most joyful moments: a celebration of love, commitment, and hope for the future. In the Christian tradition, marriage is a gift from God, through which two people promise to love, cherish, and support one another throughout their lives. It is a covenant made in the presence of family, friends, and God, and a moment of profound joy and lasting significance.

At St Lawrence Jewry, we are honoured to help couples begin that journey together. Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and there is a great deal to think about. Whatever stage you are at, we are here to help and support you.

Nestled in the historic heart of the City of London, our beautiful church offers a setting of exceptional elegance and tranquillity amid the bustle of the Square Mile. Built by Sir Christopher Wren in the 1670's, its graceful architecture, bright light interior, and rich history provide a magnificent backdrop for a truly memorable wedding.

As a welcoming church, we seek to celebrate God's love with warmth, beauty, and reverence. Whether your wedding is a quiet and intimate occasion or a larger celebration, our clergy and parish team will guide you through every stage of planning your service, helping you create a ceremony that is both deeply personal and rooted in the timeless worship of the Church.

We would be delighted to discuss your plans and to explore how St Lawrence Jewry might become the place where your life together begins. The following items are given to help you start that journey.

Getting married at St. Lawrence Jewry.

It is possible to get married at St. Lawrence Jewry. However, in addition to legal eligibility, at least one of you must be baptised (Christened) and also qualify to be entered onto the church electoral roll through at least one of the following:

Regular worship at St. Lawrence Jewry (i.e. have attended regularly for a period of at least six months)
Been baptised (Christened) at St. Lawrence Jewry or had your confirmation entered into the church register.
Had at any time your usual place of residence within the City of London for at least six months.
Had a parent or grandparent be married at St. Lawrence Jewry.
Be a member or employee of the City of London Corporation or City of London Police.
Be a Liveryman of a Livery Company connected to the church (these are listed on the Livery page of the website)
Be a serving or veteran member of one of the regiments or regimental associations connected with the church (these are listed on the Military page of the website)).
Be a Freeman of the City of London.

Notes:

We are ordinarily unable to hold weddings during the month of December or during the Season of Lent (unless through exceptional circumstances discussed with the vicar).

The main church seating capacity is around 170, extendable to around 230 if the Commonwealth Chapel and additional chairs are used too.

What to do next.

If you consider that you are eligible to marry at St Lawrence Jewry and wish to discuss this further, the next step is to be in touch with us on 020 7600 9478 or email admin@stlawrencejewry.org.uk. We will take contact details and invite you to meet with the Guild Vicar to discuss your eligibility and begin the arrangements. You will need to bring your passports and proof of address. As planning moves forward we can provide you with resources to help you plan the day, information for guests, guidance about music and readings, etc.

Marriage Frequently Asked Quesions

How old must I be to get married?

The legal age of marriage in England and Wales is 18 under the The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022. This means that 16 and 17 year olds are no longer allowed to marry or enter a civil partnership, even if they have parental consent.

When can the wedding be held?

The wedding must take place between 8am and 6pm on any day. At St. Lawrence Jewry, we do not hold weddings during the month of December or during the period of Lent (contact us to discuss options).

I am divorced, what are the guidelines on remarriage?

There are special guidelines on marriage in the church if you are divorced. The Church of England recognise that some marriages do fail for all sorts of sad and painful reasons, so in certain circumstances the church accepts that a divorced person may marry again in church. You will need to be prepared to talk the Guild Vicar about your situation to explore the possibilities for you. As part of the arrangements for a wedding, you will be asked to complete a form with details of your previous marriage. You will also need to bring the decree absolute to your meeting. Read more about marriage after divorce.

What special licences do we need?

As St. Lawrence Jewry is not a parish church, you will need a Common Licence or (if one of you is not a British National, a Superintendant Registrars Marriage Schedule) to marry in this church. The Guild Vicar will let you know which of these apply to you and explain the process. The granting of licences and schedules incurs additional fees and are bound by timescales.

What documents will I need?

All couples will need to show the Guild Vicar their passport as proof of nationality and a recent utility bill as proof of address. If you don’t have a passport, there are other documents which could be acceptable, ask the Guild Vicar about this.
If either or both of you are divorced, you will need to bring your decree absolute for the Guild Vicar to see.
You will also be asked to provide evidence of your connection to the church, such as utility bills which show you live or have lived in the City of London, livery membership, freedom certificate, or your parents’ marriage certificate if they were married there, for example. The Guild Vicar will guide you on acceptable documents for your particular connection.

How much will it cost?

Other than the statutory fees charged (e.g. for the church, vicar, licenses), every wedding is different and therefore so are the costs. The Guild Vicar will discuss the fees associated with a wedding service (e.g. organist, choir, bells) at St. Lawrence Jewry when you meet.

Same-sex marriage legislation

At present, the Church of England is not legally able to solemnise same-sex marriages. However, as an Inclusive Church, we warmly welcome LGBTQ+ people as full members of our community. If you have entered into a same-sex civil marriage or civil partnership, it may be possible to mark your commitment with a service of prayer, thanksgiving, and blessing in church and we can discuss the options available.