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We offer comprehensive information for the bride and groom considering marrying in the parish of Swaythling
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Booking a Wedding in the Parish of Swaythling, Southampton.
Weddings are conducted at St Mary's, South Stoneham and St Alban's, Burgess Road. They are usually on Saturdays, but other days are sometimes possible by arrangement. The law concerning marriages in Church was changed in 2010.
Those who already are allowed to marry in a particular church (i.e., when either partner lives in the Parish (or both, of course), or if either is on the Church Electoral Roll of a Parish) are not affected, and neither is the law concerning the re-marriage of divorcees in Church.
But, there is a whole new group of people who can marry in a particular Parish Church - those who have a Qualifying Connection with the Parish.
These are defined in law as follows;
A person has a Qualifying Connection with a parish if: that person:
was baptised in the parish. (This does not apply where the baptism formed part of a combined service of baptism or confirmation);
or
had his or her confirmation entered in a church register book of a church or chapel in the parish;
or
has at any time had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months;
or
has at any time habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or
a Parent of that person has at any time during that person's lifetime:
had his or her usual place of residence in the parish for at least 6 months;
or
habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
or
a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.
If you have any questions about Qualifying Connection, please speak to one of the Clergy, or to the Parish office.