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AIBU?

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Original poster

Turning up to church wedding just because you can. Would you?

487 replies

EWAB · 14/05/2026 13:09

Everybody knows that if you are in England (rest of UK?) that anybody can turn up at a church and can’t be turned away, from a wedding or baptism for example.

We know that this is a law from the Middle Ages.

But would you?

On any thread on here re: not being invited to wedding or particularly if children aren’t invited someone always suggests to just turn up at the church.

Would someone really do this?

OP posts:
looselegs · 14/05/2026 13:23

Years ago it was normal!
Parents used to announce weddings in the local paper and add "everyone welcome at the church". My Nan regularly went to church ceremonies of any local marriages.

Downplayit · 14/05/2026 13:22

Remember at my mums village church funeral there were a couple of rando's at the back. Always wondered who they were so perhaps they were professional funeral attendees. They didn't come to the wake.

IPM · 14/05/2026 13:22

itswindyoutside · 14/05/2026 13:19

This is common at my church. Neighbours
/members of the congregation often sit at the back of weddings and baptisms are held during the normal service.

This is not what the OP is talking about if it's part of the normal service.

Fifthtimelucky · 14/05/2026 13:22

I think it’s reasonably common for the usual congregation to turn up to weddings at their local church, especially when they know the family. Obviously only those who are invited them go on to the reception.

Given that most baptisms take place in normal Sunday services (at least in the Church of England), most of those attending will be normal congregation rather than especially invited guests.

RaraRachael · 14/05/2026 13:22

I'm in Scotland and can remember in the 70s seeing old ladies sneaking into the church past the photographer who was trying to takes photos of the legitimate guests.

sunleopard · 14/05/2026 13:21

In my experience many people just turn up to weddings in Catholic churches in Ireland, neighbours or friends who are not invited but want to wish the couple well. They usually sit near the back and are not wearing wedding guest outfits.
Also regular parishioners who just want to attend a mass, although the numbers are diminishing rapidly. Certainly my grandparents would have done that.

IPM · 14/05/2026 13:21

Surely nobody with half an ounce of pride would turn up to anything the hosts haven't invited them to?

itswindyoutside · 14/05/2026 13:19

This is common at my church. Neighbours
/members of the congregation often sit at the back of weddings and baptisms are held during the normal service.

inmyhair · 14/05/2026 13:18

PennyThought · 14/05/2026 13:13

Sure!! I love gate crashing and other antisocial behaviours! Do it all the time just for fun because my life is not fulfilling enough.

??????

Same here! I especially love the bewildered looks on the congragations face as they try to figure out who I am.

ButterYellowFlowers · 14/05/2026 13:17

No. It’s weird

Fairnair · 14/05/2026 13:13

I have only been into a Church wedding service a couple of times when I have been invited to the evening do, but not invited to the reception immediately after the service.

Would not attend wedding, christening/baptism service if I did not know the person, or invited to any of the celebrations afterwards.

PennyThought · 14/05/2026 13:13

Sure!! I love gate crashing and other antisocial behaviours! Do it all the time just for fun because my life is not fulfilling enough.

??????