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A Church Wedding

Getting Married in Church

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people get married in England. More than half do so in a religious ceremony, which for 200,000, about a third of the total, is a Church of England service.

Whether or not you are a regular churchgoer, getting married in church allows you to make solemn promises to the one you love, not only in front of your family and friends, but also in the sight of God and with God's blessing.

Marriage, the Bible tells us, is a gift of God in creation and a means of His grace, a holy mystery in which man and women become one flesh. It is God'' purpose that, as husband and wife give themselves to each other in love throughout their lives, they are united in that love, just as Christ is united in love with His Church.

Marriage is given that husband and wife may live faithfully together, as the age-old vows, little changed for 800 years, say ' ….from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death us do part, according to God's holy law.'

The church holds firmly to Christ's teaching that marriage is a life-long commitment.

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Where you can get married

As the established church, the Church of England gives everyone, with no former partner still living, the right to get married in their or their partner's parish church. If either is on the electoral role of a third parish, usually when they regularly worship in that parish, the marriage can also take place there.

If you have a special reason for wanting to be married in a church where neither of you lives, or are on the electoral role, it is possible to apply for a special licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Nobody has a right to one of these licences, so you must have a good reason; not just that the church would look nice in the photos. For information on special licences write to the Registrar of the Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, London SW1. To be married by special licence, at least one of you must have been baptised. There is a fee for the licence.

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Arranging a church wedding in Walton

To arrange a wedding at St Mary's church in Walton please contact the Parish Office.

One of the clergy will make an appointment to see you to discuss your wedding arrangements in detail.

Applications for the calling of Banns for weddings taking place in another parish should be made to the Parish Office.

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Legal Aspects

Before a marriage the law requires that Banns be called in the parish church(s) where each party lives. We will arrange this in Walton, where Banns are called at the beginning of the 10am service on the first three Sundays in the month before the wedding. If necessary, you must make arrangements for banns to be called in another parish(s), and obtain a certificate that this has been done. If either of you is not of British nationality you may need a Licence instead of Banns. The clergy will advise.

There are Fees to pay that are a combination of fixed statutory ones, and voluntary ones for 'extras' (permission to use video in Church, choir, organist, and bells) which vary. The clergy will advise when you see them.

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The Service

The service must follow one of the approved forms, either the traditional words of the Book of Common Prayer or a more modern version.

You choose music, in consultation with the organist. There are usually two voluntaries - for the arrival of the bride and the departure of the bride and groom - and two or three Hymns.

You may like to choose a reading and possibly a friend or relative to read it (otherwise the priest is happy to do so).

The Vicar will send you notes on other aspects of the service.

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Preparation

"In marriage", says the wedding service, "husband and wife belong to one another and begin a new life together in the community. It is a way of life that all should honour; and it must not be undertaken carelessly, lightly or selfishly; but reverently, responsibly and after serious thought."

As well as providing your wedding service, we would like to help your marriage have a secure start. Each year we have one or two Preparation Saturdays (10:00am - 2:00pm), where we invite couples who are to be married to meet each other, and us and talk about marriage. These days have been well received and much enjoyed. The cost of the day (booklets, lunch etc.) is met out of your wedding fee so there is no charge.

We also encourage couples who are not regular members of our congregations to worship with us. You will be made welcome at any of our services.

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