Getting married in Wales
Wales follows the same marriage law as England. You give notice in person at the register office for the district where you live, wait the statutory period, and marry at a register office, an approved venue or a religious building that can register marriages. Ceremonies can be conducted in Welsh, in English, or bilingually.
Welsh-language ceremonies
Registration services in Wales can conduct ceremonies in Welsh or bilingually, and marriage documents can be issued bilingually. Ask when you book rather than on the day, as it affects which registrar is scheduled.
Notice and residency in Wales
The seven-day residency rule and the statutory notice period apply exactly as they do in England. Notice is given to your own local authority's registration service.
If one of you lives in England and the other in Wales, you each give notice where you live, and the two notices are combined for the ceremony district.
Church in Wales ceremonies
The Church in Wales can marry couples by banns in the same way as the Church of England, which replaces the civil notice route in many cases.
Where either of you is subject to immigration control, civil notice is required regardless of the religious route.
What this means for you
- Cross-border couples are common and are not treated as a special case.
- Ask for Welsh-language provision at booking, not at the ceremony.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Give notice at your local register office
- GOV.UK — Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
Last reviewed: 16 August 2026 · Next review due 16 November 2026
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