A couple\u2019s wedding day is traditionally considered one of the most important in life, but churches have become increasingly spared from hosting nuptials.<\/p>\n
Marriages in places of worship have hit a record low, new figures revealed on Thursday, accounting for less than a fifth of all ceremonies for the first time.<\/p>\n
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released data on marriages in England and Wales in 2019, analysed by age, sex, previous marital status and civil or religious ceremony.<\/p>\n
It found that in 2019, religious ceremonies accounted for less than one in five (18.7 per cent) of opposite-sex marriages, a decrease from 21.1 per cent in 2018 and the lowest percentage on record; for same-sex marriages, 0.7 per cent of marriages were religious ceremonies.<\/p>\n
Researchers said that the reason for the decline was down to \u201ccouples choosing to live together rather than marry, either as a precursor to marriage or as an alternative\u201d.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n 💍Marriages in places of worship have hit a record low, accounting for less than a fifth of all nuptials<\/p>\n Here's what the data shows 🧵👇https:\/\/t.co\/dM2KRZwXie<\/a><\/p>\n — The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n