Weddings

Getting Married...
A wedding is one of life’s great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana, and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine.

Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians, marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus Christ. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses.

On this their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God’s blessing.

Who can get married at our Church
There are some legal restrictions on who can get married in churches. Firstly, you and your partner must be 18 years of age, or between the ages of 16 and 18 and with your parents permission to marry. To be married in the church of you choosing, you need a 'qualifying connection.' You have such a connection if you or your partner:

• live in the parish;
• have ever resided for at least six months in the benefice;
• have or had a parent who ever resided for at least six months in the benefice during your lifetime;
• have ever habitually attended worship at the Church for at least six months;
• have or had a parent who ever habitually attended worship in the benefice for at least six months during your lifetime;
• were baptised in the benefice;
• were prepared for Confirmation by the benefice, even if that Confirmation service took place in a different parish;
• have or had a parent or grandparent who were married in the benefice.

Previously divorced?
This church welcomes everyone, including those who have been through the pain of a broken relationship. The Bishops issue basic guidelines on the remarriage in church of people who have been divorced. So if this is you, and you would like to consider marrying again in a Revel Group church, please contact the Vicar in the first instance.

Arranging your wedding at a Revel Group Church
When you book your wedding day, we will ask you for some information which will eventually form part of the marriage registers. The officiating priest will make arrangements to try and prepare you both for the big day, and talk through this big step you are taking by getting married. As the date for the wedding draws closer the priest will prepare for the banns to be read and talk through the details of the service such as the music, hymns and readings etc. We will then put your choices together into an order of service which we can send to you by e-mail, so you can arrange for it to be printed in a typeface and presentation of your choice.

Rehearsals
Finally, there will be a rehearsal a day or so before your wedding day, involving the Couple, the Best Man, whoever is giving the Bride away, and at least one of the bridesmaids, or as many as can make it. Mums and Dads often like to come too!

And then comes the day itself!