Congratulations! Marriage is one of the biggest decisions anybody will make in life, a time for you to cement your relationship with the person you love. But organising the wedding day can seem daunting, and making a go of married life an even greater challenge. We want to do all we can to make your wedding day special, and to help you prepare for a lifetime together.
Why get married in church?
A marriage service, wherever it is held, is a public declaration of love and life-long commitment to your partner. If you choose to get married in church, there is an added dimension – the assurance that God cares about your relationship and that his resources and strength are available to help you. Including God in your marriage doesn’t mean that you will avoid all the usual ups and downs, but you will know that you can look to God for help and guidance and that his love will sustain you. You will also have the support and encouragement of the Christian church family.
Who can get married in church?
God loves everyone, and Christian marriage is open to all those who ask for a Christian wedding: you do not need to be baptised or confirmed in the Church of England. Marriage in the Church of England is between a man and a woman, both over the age of 18 years (The law has now changed, so all must be at least 18 years old, even if they have parental consent). You must not be married to anybody else, and may not be more closely related than first cousins. If one or both of you is not a national of the UK or Ireland and doesn’t hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, having a Church of England wedding will involve some different paperwork and there are a number of things your vicar will need to talk to you about.
What if one of us is divorced?
In many cases it is now possible for divorced people to be married in the Church of England. Please talk to your vicar to discuss your options.
What if we are a same-sex couple?
The Church of England are currently exploring issues around gender and sexuality. At this moment in time we would welcome the chance to meet with you and offer prayers, but are not able to conduct same-sex weddings.
Which church can we get married in?
Following the change in wedding regulations by the Church of England Marriage Measures Act 2008 it is now possible for a couple to be married in a church that has a special meaning to them. Therefore, providing the church is available for a service, couples will be able to choose to get married in:
- their local parish
- the parish where they were baptised and/or confirmed
- a parish they have lived in for 6 months or more, at any time during their lives
- a parish they have attended worship in for at least 6 months
- the parish their parents lived or worshipped in (during the child’s lifetime)
- the parish their parents were married in
- the parish their grandparents were married in
You will need to provide evidence to support your qualifying connection.
How much does it cost to get married in Church?
There is a required legal fee for marrying in a church. In 2023, the legal fee is a maximum of £641* if you choose to marry away from where you live, and a maximum of £539** if you marry in your home parish. This is set by the Church of England nationally and is the same for every church. This basic legal fee includes the cost of the vicar, the church, calling your banns, a banns certificate, lighting and all administration. (After your wedding, when it has been registered at the relevant register office, you will also pay the register office for your marriage certificate – the certificate is no longer issued by churches).
The statutory wedding fee doesn’t include extras you may choose or decline, such as:
The support of a verger, who ensures the church is warm, clean and tidy for your wedding and can help with handing out Orders of Service and hymn books etc. They can assist with disability access if needed by your guests and guide people to find their seats or the toilets. They can be indispensable, freeing up the vicar to give their full attention to you and the wedding service. In 2023 the cost of this is £50.
Additional heating in the church. During winter months you may wish to use this – 2023 costs vary across the benefice due to the church size (£50 at East Huntspill, £75 at West Huntspill & Mark).
Having an organist, choir or bell-ringers – these extra staff will all need to be booked in advance. Organist cost in 2023 is £80, but bear in mind that if your wedding is filmed, the organist is entitled to double this fee, to take into account professional performing rights. There is a Church Choir at Mark, who can also sometimes sing for weddings at East Huntspill or West Huntspill, their cost is £80. The cost of church bells varies from East Huntspill (which require one person to ring their chimes) to Mark (where 8 bell ringers are needed).
Church flowers – we have a variety of possibilities concerning flowers – these can be explored with each church team.
You do not have to have any of these extras, but many couples are keen to have at least some and the vicar encourages you to at least have a verger!
Flowers
Our flower arrangers ensure the church is appropriately decorated to support regular worship and to enhance festivals such as Easter, Harvest and Christmas.
They are also able to provide wedding flowers, subject to availability.
For more details please contact:
East Huntspill Church: Sue Elsworth on 01278 786790
West Huntspill Church: Les Roper lesroper58@gmail.com
Mark Church: Heather Popham heatherPopham60@icloud.com
How do we arrange a wedding?
To discuss your requirements for a wedding within the Benefice please contact Benefice Administrator Sara Puddy ehwhmchurch@outlook.com
Discover all you need to know about Church of England weddings and blessings at Your Church Wedding website