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What are Marriage Banns?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Marriage banns, also called the banns of marriage, serve as a formal announcement of intent to marry. By tradition, they are called in many Christian churches, including those administered by the Church of England and Catholic churches. Depending on the nation, banns may be used instead of a wedding license, a loophole exploited by some same sex couples, and many churches require that they be read before they will hold a wedding. This practice is rooted in centuries of Christian tradition, and for many devout couples, it is an important part of the wedding process.

In order to be considered valid, marriage banns must be read or called during services on three Sundays before the wedding in the parish church of the bride and the groom. If the wedding is being held outside the parish of the bride or groom, they must be read in that church as well. The banns are considered valid for three months after the last reading. Typically, they state the name and parish of both bride and groom, and indicate that individuals with objections to the marriage should make those objections known before the wedding day. The religious official calling the banns will also indicate how many times they have been read.

Marriage banns are a requirement in some churches prior to a wedding.
Marriage banns are a requirement in some churches prior to a wedding.

In the early church, marriage between members had to be approved both by the parents of the prospective couple and the church itself. The banns indicated formal church approval of the marriage. They were also used to root out illegal marriages, such as those held between people who were too closely related or already married. The practice of reading the banns in all parishes concerned ensured that anyone who objected to the marriage would have ample opportunity to do so before the actual day of the wedding.

Marriage banns serve as the formal announcement of intent to marry.
Marriage banns serve as the formal announcement of intent to marry.

In general, marrying without calling the banns makes a marriage illicit, but not invalid. Some sects have considered doing away with marriage banns, in an effort to encourage couples to marry in church, as modern couples sometimes find the banns restrictive. Others view them as an important step in the rite of passage that marriage represents, and insist that banns be read before couples are married. Couples outside the church who wish to marry in a specific parish church or cathedral may be required to have them read, so the couple must make sure to inquire about this when making wedding arrangements.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon257461

Can you tell me what is the difference is between "married by banns" and "married by license." This is in relation to family history searches, not present day events.

anon45986

hi my husband did not see the point or use of marriage. and i asked him why and he said because he was jewish and i'm christian and in the end i just obeyed his orders but it was a change.

anon28245

Just wondering do I have to organize for the banns to be read or does the church?

ecallan1

We are planning to get married with a civil ceremony in the City County building of our town, which is the state's capital. Is a reading of banns necessary? Later on, (like in 6 months' time), we'll get married with a fancier ceremony but not necessarily a church one, at my future brother-in-law's which happens to be in another state. Are banns required at the later ceremony also?

yasmin

Hi my husband did not have his wedding banns read out in his parish church when we married last month. Is my marriage still valid? if not what can we do. cheers.

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    • Marriage banns are a requirement in some churches prior to a wedding.
      By: leekris
      Marriage banns are a requirement in some churches prior to a wedding.
    • Marriage banns serve as the formal announcement of intent to marry.
      By: tanchic
      Marriage banns serve as the formal announcement of intent to marry.
    • Modern couples sometimes find marriage banns restrictive.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Modern couples sometimes find marriage banns restrictive.
    • Same-sex couples sometimes use marriage banns as a loophole in nations where the banns can be used instead of a wedding license.
      By: Galina Barskaya
      Same-sex couples sometimes use marriage banns as a loophole in nations where the banns can be used instead of a wedding license.
    • A marriage will be invalid if a couple does not call the marriage banns.
      By: kazoka303030
      A marriage will be invalid if a couple does not call the marriage banns.