GETTING MARRIED IN CHURCH

WELCOME!

The Church has a great deal of experience in arranging wedding ceremonies - we've been doing them for 2,000 years!

The Christian Church welcomes you and your family, You will find that the clergy and church members will do their best to make your day unforgettable.

MEANING

Christians see marriage between man and woman as a gift from God and a means by which God blesses our relationship and home together. Most clergy will want to meet couples more than once to talk about the meaning of the ceremony and the joys and difficulties of married life.

LEGAL EAGLE

In the Church in Wales (as in the Church of England) the priest acts as Registrar so it's a 'One Stop Shop' - no need to have any other legal officer present.

Usually before the wedding the banns are called. This means that it is announced to the congregation, on three consecutive Sundays that you and your fiance are getting married.

If you have addresses in two different parishes, your banns will have to be called in both parishes.

Recent legislation means in certain circumstances you can get married in a church which has strong links with your family even if you don't live in the parish.

Services of blessing after a civil marriage or the marriage of a divorced person take place at the discretion of the parish priest.

Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one.    Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offence.   Love keeps no score of wrongs; does not gloat over other men's sins, but delights in the truth. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and its endurance.

i Corinthians: Ch.13 v.4-7

THE SERVICE

The priest will be delighted to discuss all the details of the service with you.    Each ceremony should reflect the unique individual who is getting married.

Do you have a friend or family member who would like to do a reading?

Do you have a friend who is a musician or a singer whom you would like to include? If there is a church choir, do use them as they halp support the singing on the day. Please invite friends to be ushers.  They should be in church to give out the leaflets half-an-hour before the service,

PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS

Churches will have their own individual policies on this. When a video is used, a charge is made j because of the copyright involved,

ORDER OF SERVICE

These days most couples like to produce their own booklet which usually lists the music played on the organ - the hymns to be sung - and the music sung by the choir. The priest and organist will be glad to make suggestions and give advice.

REHEARSAL

Some time during the week before the wedding most priests like to have a rehearsal in church. This should calm your nerves and make sure everything goes smoothly! The best man, the bridesmaids and the bride's father need to be there.  Usually parents attend as well - everyone is welcome.

FEES

These are set nationally by the Church Commis­sioners. Local churches add the organist's and choir fees. The fees are reviewed every year.

WHY GET MARRIED IN CHURCH ?

'The atmosphere was fantastic'. 'It was such a beautiful venue'. '1 thought the preparation talks were very helpful'. 'And the service put it all in a new dimension'.