Getting Married

The five churches in the Fellside Parishes are popular places for weddings. The law is quite restrictive, however, about who is able to be married in Church, the main requirement being residence in the Parish. Regulations for the use of public buildings have been relaxed in recent years, but these do not apply to the Church. Booking your reception in a popular venue is unlikely to qualify you to be married in the Church next door! Some people who have been married previously are unsure of the regulations.

Always, in the first instance, contact one of the Team Clergy who will be able to give you clear advice.

In spite of what we read in the press there are still many couples who believe it right to commit themselves to marriage publicly, and in the context of Christian worship. In the Fellside we are always pleased to share your plans for your wedding day: as much time as you need to make sure it goes well. In our experience, the easiest part of the whole day will be the service: worry about the rest, but look forward to coming to Church!

This is what the Common Worship Prayer Book says about the Marriage Service:

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. You are witnesses of the marriage, and express your support by your presence and your prayers. Your support does not end today: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and years ahead of them.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.