Quaker Weddings

Quaker marriage is not an alternative form of marriage available to the general public but is restricted to members and those associated with them. At least one of the parties must be known to a local Quaker meeting and be in agreement with the Quaker religious nature and witness.

The congregation is administered in a democratic way so a Quaker couple will apply to the whole congregation, rather than to one minister-in-charge, to arrange their ceremony. This application is normally done in writing to the Friends devotional service (known as a meeting) at least six weeks before the proposed wedding date. A non-member of the Society will need to have the written support of two adult members who are satisfied that they are in agreement with the Quaker view of marriage.

Notice of the intended marriage is given at the close of the Sunday morning meetings where the parties are members or where they usually worship, or in the district where they live. If no written notice of objection is received, the registering officer completes a form to this effect and arrangements for the wedding can then proceed.

The couple must also make an application to marry in accordance with civil law through the superintendent registrar of marriages in the district in which they live - or if they live in different districts, notice must be given to the registrar in each district.

The religious service may be held in the Quaker Meeting Hall or anywhere else the couple and congregation chooses but there must also be a civil ceremony at the Registrar's Office or at another properly licensed place, in order to comply with civil law.

See also: Re marriage and the Society of Friends.