Before you can legally marry in the UK, there's a legal step beyond just booking a venue: you generally need to give notice of marriage (or, for some church weddings, have the banns read). It's the official declaration of your intention to marry, and it's a legal requirement.
For most weddings (civil ceremonies and many religious ones), each partner must give a 'notice of marriage' in person at their local register office, stating who they intend to marry and where. There's usually a waiting period after giving notice before you can marry, and notice is typically only valid for a set period — so there are timing rules to be aware of. You normally need to have lived in the area for a short qualifying period and bring specific documents.
For a wedding in the Church of England (or Church in Wales), the traditional route is the reading of the banns — an announcement of your intended marriage, read aloud in church on three Sundays in the months before the wedding, giving an opportunity for any objections. This is the church equivalent of giving notice.
Because there are waiting periods and validity windows, this legal step needs factoring into your wedding timeline — don't leave it too late. The exact requirements, fees, documents, timeframes and rules vary by ceremony type and can change, so always check the current official guidance on GOV.UK (and with your venue or church). Our free wedding checklist and planning timeline guide help you fit it in. This is general information, not legal advice.