Booking a Wedding

Celebrating the gift of love in the life-long commitment of marriage is a great joy, and we welcome enquiries about marriage. Whether you are inviting a small or large number of people to your wedding, Manchester Cathedral has a chapel that is just the right size for you, and we are well-used to adapting ourselves to meet your needs.

Answers to the questions below might assist you in your preliminary investigations.

Can anyone get married in the Cathedral?

Anyone can get married in a Church of England Church, but it is easier to be married in a local parish church than in a Cathedral, for which there are stricter regulations. This is essentially because of the broader diocesan and national role and responsibilities that are held by a Cathedral, and the need to safeguard a Cathedral diary – which is always very full, in any case – from becoming completely overloaded. You will not be surprised to know that Cathedrals have many enquiries about wedding services.

You will be eligible to be married in the Cathedral if you meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • You live in the Residual Parish of the Cathedral.
  • You have been a regular worshipper at the Cathedral for at least six months and are a member of the Cathedral’s Community Roll.
  • You have a demonstrable connection with the Cathedral (e.g. you are a member of staff).
  • You have a demonstrable connection with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, whose Regimental Chapel is in Manchester Cathedral.

How do I book a wedding?

  • The first step is to get in touch with the Precentor. The Precentor will discuss your eligibility and answer any questions that you may have.
  • Once eligibility has been established, the Precentor will discuss a date with you, and this will go through the Cathedral diary booking process. On confirmation of the booking a £50 non-returnable deposit is payable.
  • By making a booking for a wedding, you are undertaking to meet with the Precentor and the officiant to prepare for your wedding. There will usually be at least three meetings, plus a wedding rehearsal.

Who will officiate at the service?

Weddings at Manchester Cathedral are always led by one of the Cathedral clergy, and the Precentor will discuss this with you at the first full meeting. If you have minister friends whom you would like to take part in the service, there is ample opportunity for them to do so – either by preaching, reading or leading the prayers.

How much does it cost?

The cost of your marriage service depends very much on what you choose to embellish the service, and the Precentor will discuss the costs in detail with you at the first full meeting. As a general rule of thumb, however, the basic cost of a wedding at the Cathedral is £996, with an extra £140, if you have an organist to play before, after and during the signing of the Registers and to accompany hymns.

The cost increases if you have:

  • The Choir
  • Special flowers (over and above the flowers that will already be decorating the Church)
  • A video recording
  • Printing of the order of service organized by the Cathedral

Prayer and Dedication after a Civil Marriage

We also offer a service of Prayer and Dedication after a Civil Marriage for couples who are being married in a Registry Office (or abroad) but wish to hold their commitment before God in prayer and thankfulness, asking for God’s blessing on their life ahead.

Guidelines for eligibility, bookings and costs are exactly the same as for Weddings, above.