Wedding
Many congratulations if you have got engaged or are thinking about getting married. If you would like a church wedding we will do everything we reasonably can to ensure that your wedding day is one of the happiest in your lives and begins on firm foundations.
You are welcome to be married at St John Baptist if you can show that one of you:
• has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
• was baptised (christened) in the parish or
• was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
• has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
or
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
• has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
• has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
or
That one of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish
Most couples are married by banns. Banns are an announcement in church of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place.Your banns must be read out in church for three Sundays during the three months before the wedding. This is usually done over three consecutive Sundays in the month preceding your wedding. After your forthcoming marriage is announced, the congregation will pray for you both. It’s an exciting and happy time and can be quite special and moving to hear this, so do come along if you can.If you live outside of Berkswell parish you will also need to arrange for your banns read in your parish in the three months before the wedding.
If you are a foreign national from a country that is outside the European Economic Area, having a Church of England wedding will involve some different requirements so please speak with us at an early stage.
Even if one or both of you are divorced, there may be a way for you to marry in church, but you will need to talk to us as soon as possible.You will still, however, need to satisfy the legal requirements.
During the marriage service you will be exchanging solemn vows in the presence of God and your family and friends.
The initial step is to meet meeting with a member of our marriage preparation team (the Rector or Parish Administrator) who will guide you through the process. Marriages are normally conducted on Saturdays when the organist and choir are most likely to be available. The Rector of the parish, the Revd Canon Dr Mark Bratton, will normally conduct the wedding, alternative arrangements may be made for another priest to marry you, if agreed by the Rector.
Marriage Preparation
The promises you make on your wedding day seal your love and commitment to each other for the rest of your lives. We would like to help you prepare not only for your wedding day but for your marriage, spiritually, emotionally and practically. You will therefore be invited to undertake marriage preparation. This will normally involve meeting with a member of our marriage preparation team and attending a marriage preparation day, usually held the last Saturday in January. The aim of this day is to allow you some time away from the demands of daily life and organising your wedding so that you can focus on each other and your future married life together. The style of the day is fun and informal with the emphasis on building foundations for a fantastic marriage. Do not be worried that you will have to talk about your relationship with other people – there is no “group work” and the only person you will need to share with is your partner.
You may find the following links helpful:
