So you want to be married in one of our churches?
The decision to be married is one of the most important you will ever make. Whether you are a regular church goer or not, being married in Church is for many people something that makes the occasion extra special. You will be making your vows in a place where people have made such promises over many centuries – a place steeped in history – as well as in the sight of God.
We are delighted that you are considering being married in one of our four beautiful churches, and will do all we can to make you feel welcome and at home here. In most cases, we hope to be able to say ‘yes’ to your request, and then to guide you through the process.
There may be many reasons why you choose to be married in a different church to the one nearest to your home. You may do this if you have some connection with the church in which you wish to be married. There are a number of circumstances that would constitute such a connection, which are listed below.
You are deemed to have a ‘qualifying connection’ with a parish if one of you:
– was baptised in the parish
– was confirmed or prepared for confirmation in the parish
– now lives or has in the past lived in the parish for at least 6 months
– has habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;
Or if the parent(s) of one of you:
– has regularly attended services there for at least 6 months since you were born
– has lived in the parish for at least 6 months since you were born
– was married in the church – this also applies to the church where your grandparents married.
Many of the conditions relate to the past, but the expectation that you attend the church for at least 6 months (and are thereby eligible for membership of the electoral roll of the Church) is one that is about what happens now. Provided you are thinking about this soon enough, we are willing to marry you in one of these churches if you attend worship at least once a month over a period of 6 months. Our service times and places are noted in this pack. Even if you have another connection, we would love to see you in the weeks before your wedding, and it will help you to be familiar with the church building before the big day.
Remember…
You are welcome here. The church does not belong to the priest or only to those who attend regular services; it is for everyone – including you.
If this talk of conditions and qualifying connections puts you off or is hard to understand, contact us at revtimharford@gmail.com
Fees for Weddings and Wedding Blessings
Fees for weddings are set nationally, and subject to increase each year by a small amount. So please note that if you are planning a wedding a year ahead, these rates may well be slightly increased. Please note that these fees do NOT include payment of the organist, any choir, or for flowers in the Church.