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.
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.
- During the wedding service you will make amazing vows, or promises, before God. These vows, made in public, will help you to stay together and grow together. God and your church are there with you to help you in your married life together.
- 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. We know these sorts of connections can make your day even more special.
- You can be involved in making choices about your ceremony. You can even use our online ceremony planner to get you started.
- 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 if you need us.
Legal Requirements
The law requires that at least one of those to be married should:
- Live in the parish where the wedding is to take place, or
- Be a regular worshipper in the parish and have your name entered on the church electoral roll, or
- Have a ‘qualifying connection’. A ‘qualifying connection’ as described in the Marriage (Wales) Act 2010 is that you were baptised or confirmed in the parish, that you or a parent live or have lived for at least six months in the parish, that you or a parent have habitually attended worship in the parish for at least six months or that a parent or grandparent has been married in the parish.
If you are getting married in one of our churches, you will need to have your banns of marriage read. Banns are a historic legal requirement, where your upcoming wedding is announced on three Sundays in a row. You are very welcome to come on one or all three Sundays to hear your banns being read.
If for any reason you aren’t sure whether you qualify, then get in touch and we’ll do our best to help you find out.
Common Questions
Could I be married in church even if I don’t go to church?
Yes, we’d love to celebrate this important moment with you! Remember that the wedding ceremony in church has a distinctively Christian character and assumes that you accept the Christian understanding of marriage.
Can a divorced person have a church wedding?
Marriage is for life, but it is a sad fact that some marriages do fail. You will need to have an informal chat with us about your personal circumstances, however if you are divorced this will not necessarily prevent you from marrying again in church.
Can we be involved in planning the service?
Yes. The minister will discuss with you the arrangements for the service and help you decide on appropriate music and readings. You may wish to involve family or friends in the service: e.g. in doing a reading or playing a musical instrument.
Will there be a rehearsal for the ceremony?
The minister will want to run through the service with you and others who are taking part so that everyone knows what to expect. The rehearsal will usually take place in church during the few days before the service.
Can we have a video recording of the service?
We are very happy for a video recording to be taken of your wedding, however there is an additional fee to cover the license costs.
When can we have our wedding?
The day and time of the service is decided in consultation with your minister. It must be between 8am and 6pm and not clash with other Church services.
Is it possible to have a church blessing after being married abroad or by Civil Ceremony?
Yes, absolutely. For a marriage blessing, there are no legal preliminaries necessary.
Marriage Fees
At the moment, the fees for a church wedding are around £800-850, which includes providing the minister, vergers and music.
In addition, at some of our churches we can also provide bellringing before and after the service and/or bespoke flower arrangements for an additional cost. Please chat to us if you’d like to explore these options. Also, if you are having your service filmed professionally, be aware that there is an additional licensing fee payable.
However, we would never want the cost to prevent you from being able to get married in one of our churches. In the case of genuine financial hardship, please do get in touch and a member of our clergy team will arrange to chat to you confidentially about your circumstances.
Next steps
If you would like to explore the possibility of arranging a wedding, just get in touch using the details at the bottom of this page. We are always very happy to answer any questions or queries, and/or arrange a visit for you to see our churches for yourself before you make a decision about your special day.
Once you are ready to make a marriage application, you will need to complete our online form with all the legal details required for the marriage to take place. Once you’ve submitted your application, we will be in touch to confirm your date and begin planning your big day with you.