Hemel Hempstead vicars have told how distressing it was before to have to turn away couples wanting to marry in church simply because they had moved out of the parish.


Boxmoor vicar, Rev James Reveley, took three calls from future brides within hours of the Archbishop of Canterbury's announcement and is delighted at the prospect of being able to conduct more weddings at St John's Church.

He said: "Previously, by law, I have had to say no to many people who grew up in Boxmoor and wanted to come back here to get married. It seemed awful to have to turn them away. So, I am very pleased that now those with a genuine connection to the Boxmoor area will be able to have their wedding here."

The new rules allow those couples with a parent living in the area to marry at the parish church as well as those who were baptised there.

Previously only those currently living in the parish could take their vows in an Anglican church unless they became regular attenders for six months.

St Mary's Church Rector, Rev Sue Allen, is also thrilled with the relaxation of rules.

She said: "This means we will be able to be a great deal more welcoming to those who grew up here, have moved away but still regard Hemel as their home. It was so difficult before and seemed unfair to people.

"Couples do seem to really appreciate our personal touch and that, unlike things like wedding fairs that focus on the day itself, we are in a position to give them a much more overall picture of marriage.

"We often find that in two or three years time they return to us to christen the baby."

Last year in Dacorum there were 587 weddings recorded and 173 of those were at Anglican churches.

There were 470 civil ceremonies with around half of those held at The Bury register office and the rest at outside venues such as local hotels