Weddings

Getting Married in the Church in Wales

The introduction to the Church in Wales Marriage Service describes marriage as a gift from God.  The Bible teaches that marriage is a life-long, faithful union between a man and a woman, and compares married love with the love Jesus has for his people – a love expressed in his willing sacrifice of himself on the cross. 

(Marriage) is not be entered upon lightly or thoughtlessly, but responsibly and reverently. God calls men and women to the married state so that their love may be made holy in life-long union; that they may bring up their children to grow in grace and learn to love him: and that they may honour, help and comfort one another both in prosperity and adversity.

[from the Church in Wales order for Holy Matrimony]

Jesus therefore sets the greatest example of unconditional, self-sacrificial love - a model that husband and wife can seek to follow in the way they love one another, each putting the other’s needs first.  At the heart of the marriage ceremony is the exchange of vows, in which a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, whatever the future may bring.

Christians believe that in marriage we find the proper expression of our sexuality, a secure environment for bringing up our children, and an important element of stability for the wider community.

• You have a right to be married in your local parish church.
• The law requires that at least one of those to be married should resides in the parish where the wedding is to take place.
• If you are under the age of eighteen, you must have your parents’ consent to marry.
• There are special guidelines on church marriage if you have been divorced (see FAQ).

The normal preliminary to getting married in the Church in Wales is by banns, the procedure of notifying people of your intention to marry. There are circumstances in which some form of licence, such as a Common Licence or Special Licence, is more appropriate. The Vicar can advise you about this. More information about the various legal preliminaries to marriage is available from the Church in Wales Faculty Office website.

If you are thinking of a church wedding at St Mary’s or Christchurch, please contact the Vicar.

If you are thinking of a wedding reception in our Priory Centre Click Here.

Weddings FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Marriage