Banns

Under Church of England practice the names of the couple were read aloud in the home parish of each party on three Sundays before the wedding. The Catholic Church required the same on three Sundays or holy days, a rule set at the Council of Trent.

A register line such as married by banns tells you the notice was given, often in both parishes, so the bride's home church may hold a matching entry. The usual alternative was a marriage license, which let a couple skip the waiting period.