Reading of the banns...

[spaced]

befire you get married in church your banns are read. I know that they MUST be read, but what I want to know, before I go and ask my reverend, do both parties (bride and groom) HAVE TO attend? Or can one attend? Or neither actualkly HAVE to attend?

[dot.hawkes]

the banns are not read for the couple to hear they are for the parishoners to hear, to formally announce the intended nuptuals, it is meant to inform anyone who might have knowledge that should be heard at the point in the actual ceremony where the Vicar asks if there are any reasons the wedding might not take place.

[B00]

i thought at least one of the parties had to be there? no?

[Polotoo]

Hi Spaced.

I don't think there is any requirement for you to have to attend. However, generally the couple attends for at least one reading but it is up to you.

We decided to go to one reading at both parishes, which was a family service so not too 'churchy'. Personally, I think its nice to see the church with a congreation and to get a feel of it. But everyone is different.

[Polotoo]

Arghh.... three answers at once!!

[ELVIS68]

When I got married we chose a Church about 3 miles from where we lived cos it had a nice place for the photos afterwards....we gave the Rev my sisters address so he thought we was local..we had to attend a weekly chat every Friday night about the values of marriage and watch some videos...it was boring and luckily there was a pub next door lol

[Suzyboo]

You definitely do not have to attend

[Octavius]

Each parish and each Rev are different. The best thing for you to do is to ask the Rev who will be marrying you. I am sure they will not think anything differently of you, after all - you are (possibly?) newer to this than they are.

The Banns are basically a parish announcement for anyone to come forward who may know of any reason that the two of you should not get married (e.g. if you are brother and sister etc - harks back to village days when these things did happen!!) and is announced I believe on 3 consecutive Sundays. You do not have to be there, but the Rev may want you (both) to attend mass in the weeks running up to the wedding. My Rev didn't but then the church was 125 miles away and he was very laid back.

[spaced]

thanks for all your answers guys. Yes, the church we are getting married in (July 2006) is not in our parish, thus the reason we have been attending church every other week for the last year. Just wasnt sure on the banns.

Ta!