What is the difference between mariage banns and marriage licence.

Question

I've been going through a lot of Norfolk marriages between 1830 and 1920. Some have marriage banns (I understand they are read 3 weeks in a row) and a marriage license.

Why would someone choose one over the other and what is the difference?

Comments

Time.  Money.

Banns are at least three consecutive weeks, usually Sundays in church, but actual wedding can be delayed after that.

Licence means you are paying money to avoid the need to have Banns read/published.

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thank you - that makes sense

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 Britanica says:   Banns of marriage, public legal notice made in a church proclaiming an intention of impending marriage with the object that persons aware of any impediment to the marriage may make their objection known.

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Some churches require the banns for notices, which is not related to money.