Church of England
If you live in the same parish as the church you want to get married in, contact your minister who will explain the banns system to you. Banns are called on three Sundays before the wedding to allow any objections to your union to be raised. If you don't live in the parish in which you wish to be married, the vicar may still allow you to be added to the parish electoral roll and be considered a regular worshipper. Otherwise, you may apply for a special licence. This doesn't require you to live in the parish, but needs approval from your chosen vicar and the vicar of your actual parish. Special licences are granted by The Faculty Office (call 020 7222 5381; facultyoffice.org.uk) on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
For a full list of legally approved premises, call the General Register Office on 0151 471 4817 or visit gro.gov.uk/gro/content to request a list (£5). Proposals to change the law to allow couples to marry wherever they choose as long as the celebrant is licensed are currently under discussion.
In the case of second marriages following divorce or bereavement, the decision on whether couples can marry in church lies with individual ministers.
Church of Scotland
Provided it is conducted by an authorised celebrant, a religious ceremony can take place anywhere, with no residency requirement for marriage. Visit churchofscotland.org.uk for information. At least 15 days' and up to three months' notice must be given at the register office in the district.
Roman Catholic
Both of you must be free to marry and one of you must be a baptised Catholic. Some form of preparation will be required of you. This will be decided upon by the priest.
Jewish
Weddings should usually take place in a synagogue but can be held in other venues, particularly for mixed-faith marriages. You may not marry on the Sabbath.
Other religions
Marriage is covered by the superintendent registrar's certificate, which is issued at your local register office before the wedding.
Church of England order of service
Guests are seated by the ushers, with the bride's family and guests on the left of the nave, and the groom's on the right. The groom and best man arrive about 30 minutes before the ceremony. As the bride arrives, her mother should be shown to the front pew while the bride, her father and attendants wait outside the church. They process down the aisle with the bride on her father's right arm behind the minister, followed by the attendants. When they reach the front pew, the groom takes his place on the bride's right-hand side and the bride hands her bouquet to her chief bridesmaid.
After the first hymns, readings and the vicar's address, the marriage itself takes place. The bride's father takes the bride's right hand and gives it to the minister, who passes it to the groom. The couple make their vows. The ring(s) are passed to the minister by the best man, after which the father of the bride and the best man take their seats in the front pews. The bride and groom exchange rings, followed by prayers, a hymn and the final blessing. The bride and groom then sign the register with their parents and two witnesses, often the best man and chief bridesmaid. Then the bouquet is given back to the bride and she and the groom lead the procession out of the church, followed by the attendants, the chief bridesmaid with the best man, the bride's mother with the groom's father, and lastly the groom's mother with the bride's father.