a place to exchange vows and love in the sight of God with family & friends.
St Andrew’s seeks to be an open, inclusive, friendly and welcoming church that offers weddings for those within the St Andrew’s community and those in the wider community. St Andrew’s also offers services of blessing for those who have had a civil marriage or civil partnership.
We aim to make each service special for the couple through a joyful and reverent celebration in the sight of God. St Andrew’s warmly welcomes enquiries; to find out more contact our Church Secretary, Jane Bunyan, churchsecretary@standrews.cc
What is different about a church wedding?
By involving the church in your wedding day, you are committing your marriage to be so much more than just a legal ceremony! This adds a spiritual dimension in your commitment to one another. From the very beginning you are publicly stating that your Christian faith is important to both of you and central in your new relationship together. As well as involving the two of you and your guests, you are also welcoming God’s blessing upon your relationship! And so your promises involve God too. You are not only promising to love each other, but also to include God in that commitment from the very beginning.
‘God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God
and God lives in union with them.’ [GNB 1 John 4.16b]
In the act of worship that is the Christian marriage service, you are not only saying ‘I love you’ to each other in front of witnesses, you are also saying ‘We love God’. St Andrew’s offers ceremonies for both opposite and same sex couples.
‘We love because God first loved us.’ [GNB 1 John 4.19]
How do we go about planning our wedding?
Speak to our minister first. The minister will not only help you with what needs to be planned and done, but (most importantly) will help you to explore what marriage in a Christian context means to you both. Together you can plan the act of worship, whilst carefully choosing who and what you want to involve in the service.
What is a marriage blessing?
This is an act of worship that can take place after a civil marriage ceremony. It can be held in a church building or another suitable place, and it may take place on the same day as the civil marriage or a later occasion. This, too, is an act of Christian commitment within our local church fellowship.
How can we thank God for all the years we’ve been married?
Many churches and ministers will also offer the opportunity for a thanksgiving for marriage to celebrate a number of years together. This may also include the re-affirmation of your wedding vows.
We usually suggest that you come to a Sunday morning service to see the church and experience if St Andrew’s is the right church for your special occasion, and we are very happy to meet couples to discuss possibilities.
FAQs:
Q. Do I need to ‘belong’ to St Andrew’s?
A. No – our weddings are open to the whole community.
Q. Do I need to attend Church on Sundays?
A. No – though the more a couple come the more they will feel at home in St Andrew’s on the ‘big day’.
Q. Does St Andrew’s charge a fee?
A. Yes – our fees cover church costs and supporting personnel, but are usually a small proportion of the cost of the ‘big day’! Contact our church secretary for details.
Q. Are there legal requirements for a wedding service?
A. Yes – St Andrew’s can advise what you need to do to register your wedding. St Andrew’s is authorised by civil authority for the conduct of marriages.
Q. Does St Andrew’s marry people who have been divorced?
A. Yes – though the Minister likes to meet with every couple prior to making a booking, St Andrew’s, like other Churches, seeks to be a place of forgiveness and new starts, and looks for sincerity in love and commitment.
Q. Does St Andrew’s offer preparation for the day as well as married life?
A. Couples meet with the Minister to plan their wedding service, generally the more a couple put into planning the service the more personal the service will be for them.
In addition, St Andrew’s works with St Edmund’s C of E and Lidgett Park Methodist Church to provide a Marriage Preparation Course.
