THE Church of England has voted at a meeting in York to further relax the laws on where couples can get married after hearing about competition from secular locations such as hotels.
Members of the General Synod backed a request for a new law allowing couples hoping to get married a greater choice of churches.
The move would mean clergy no longer have to apply for a special licence for couples with a “qualifying connection” to one church who want to marry in another church within the same benefice, or grouping of parishes.
The Rt Rev John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, proposing the move, said it would allow couples greater choice about choosing a church to suit their needs.
“It is always surprising how many people want to get married in churches at the ends of muddy lanes surrounded by cows,” he said.
