Weddings

Wedding

Faith  Hope  Love

The Church of England thoroughly

believes in marriage for the well-being of individuals and society.

For more general information about church weddings, see

www.yourchurchwedding.org

SPECIAL DAY, SPECIAL PLACE

There are lots of reasons why you may want to marry in church. Our churches are special places and there are some things about a church wedding that you can’t get anywhere else.

DID YOU KNOW?

·             Brides don’t have to wear white for their church wedding

·             You don’t have to marry on a Saturday

·             Weddings are only legal if they take place between 8am and 6pm

·             You don’t have to go to church to get married in a church.

WHO CAN MARRY IN CHURCH?

You can marry in a Church of England church if you can show:

That one of you:

•       has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or

•       was baptised in the parish concerned or

•       was prepared for confirmation in the parish or

•       has at any time regularly attended normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:

•       has lived in the parish for at least 6 months or

•       has regularly attended normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents or grand-parents:

•       was married in the parish

Even if you cannot demonstrate any of these connections, we want to help you explore whether it still may be possible for you to marry in your special church.Talk to the Vicar or churchwarden well in advance to discuss the options open to you.

WHAT NEXT?

If you are thinking of having your wedding in St Mary's or St Etheldreda's, you should first contact our wedding co-ordinator, Mrs Avril Plume (phone number 01638 605323)

 The wedding co-ordinator looks after the wedding bookings and ensures that all the necessary forms are completed. She will book the organist, verger and bell ringers and she’ll send you reminders about when your banns will be read and when the fees are due to be paid.  

Our Vicar , Revd Dr Eleanor Williams will then arrange a preliminary meeting with you to discuss your plans. She will also invite you to attend a Wedding Preparation course with other couples who are planning their weddings in our churches. At this course, the Vicar will discuss the service in detail and prepare you for this most important step in your lives. Later, she will also arrange a full rehearsal for you and other key members of your wedding party and, of course, conduct the marriage service.

A PRAYER FOR YOU TO USE

Loving God, help us to grow together,

May our spirits be made one in your Spirit, that we may grow in love and peace with you and with one another, now and  all the days of our life.

When we hurt each other, give us grace to acknowledge our fault and to seek each other’s forgiveness, and yours.

For we rejoice in the words of Scripture: ‘God is love, and those who live in love, live in God and God lives in them’

AMEN