Weddings
Congratulations! Welcome and congratulations on getting engaged! We hope this page will help you with the first steps in organising your wedding.
Why marry in church?
Churches are special places and there are some things about a church wedding that you just can’t get anywhere else. Many couples choose to celebrate their marriage not only surrounded by family and friends but also before God in a church building. A church is so much more than simply a venue for your wedding. Unique and special things become part of your marriage, on the day itself and beyond:
- A church wedding will add a spiritual dimension to your marriage. The ceremony includes God and looks to him for help and guidance. God’s blessing is the main attraction for many couples, whatever their beliefs.
- You can only make vows this big in a church. These vows, made in public, will help you to stay together and grow together. God and your church are there for you to help you keep your vows.
- The Vicar has a very particular role to play in your wedding. They can blend ancient tradition and modern experience to reflect your story. Because of the relationship with the Vicar, your wedding can be made personal, memorable, meaningful and beautiful.
- Church buildings offer centuries of history. Imagine all the couples who have married in your local church, some of whom may well be your family. You can feel you’re becoming part of history itself, the bigger plan, by marrying in the same place as your relatives. That’s special!
- For some people, a church simply seems like the proper place to get married. Churches can be described as ‘peaceful’, ‘serene’, or having an atmosphere that makes marrying there a particularly special experience.
And after your wedding, you’ll realise that a church is more than simply a wedding venue. We’ll always be here for you.
Our churches are available to couples for marriage, and also for services of Blessing following a Civil Marriage (or, perhaps, a marriage abroad).
We also offer other related services, for instance Renewal of Vows to mark an Anniversary, the Dedication of New Rings, or to ask God's blessing following a difficult time in a relationship.
There is considerable flexibility in terms of the music and readings for services and there are opportunities for photography and video recording both inside and outside the building.
The Legal Requirements for getting married in church
Broadly speaking anyone can be married in church, but there are some legal requirements that need to be met in order to proceed:
- You must be aged 18 or over
- You must be a British National, a European Economic Area National or a Swiss National. (If you are not, it may still be possible to get married, but special procedures apply to protect genuine applications. The Rector will be able to explain how this works.)
- At present, it is not possible for same sex couples to be married, or have their marriage blessed, in church.
- Banns of Marriage must be read in the parish, and in your own parish if you live elsewhere.
(To check the qualifying criteria please CLICK HERE)
If you cannot demonstrate one of these connections, don’t worry. You can create a qualifying connection by attending services in the Parish at least once a month for at least six months. This needs to be BEFORE your Banns of Marriage are read out for which you should allow another two months.
Services of Blessing and Dedication (either immediately following a marriage elsewhere, or at a later date) do not have the same "legal" status and are available to all who have a connection with the Parish or its Churches.
If you have been married before, there may well be a way forward for you to be re-married, but you will need to talk to the Rector about this. You will need to provide documents to prove your nationality and residency when you have your first meeting.
This would normally consist of your passport and proof of your address—such as a utilities bill.
Don't worry! It can seem very complicated, but the Rector will be able to explain it all to you when you have your first meeting. The next step, when you are both ready, is to contact the Rector and arrange to have a meeting. This allows you to get to know each other and gives you both a chance to ask questions and start to plan your big day.
Calling of Banns
Those who are marrying in another Church of England church and need Banns of Marriage calling in this Parish should contact the Rector to make the necessary arrangements.
Fees
There is a fee for getting married in church. To discuss the cost please contact the church office.
Please note that the fee payable will be that which is current at the date of the wedding, not at the date of booking.
For further details on any of the above, or if you would like to book a service, please contact our Rector, Kate.