Weddings

A church wedding is a very positive and joyful celebration of the way that in the presence of family & friends, two people can join together to form a new, life-long stage in their commitment to each other. Vicars are skilled in working with couples to create a personal service of joy and life.

Marriage needs each partner being ready to share and compromise together, and
this means that most of us can do with some outside help to strengthen our marriage
together. Family and friends can be there to support us, but many couples feel that
the idea of a blessing from God on their wedding day is another way of both finding
help and receiving a spiritual Peace.

The promises that the two people make to each other as part of the wedding service are serious, and many couples also believe that it seems right to make these promises in the presence of God.

Where can we be married?
You can marry in any of our church buildings if one or other of you lives in the
Ministry Area. You can also get married in any of our churches if you live outside the
Ministry Area but regularly worship in one of our churches and have your name on
the Church electoral roll (membership list). There are other ways to qualify to get
married with us:

• If one of the couple was baptised (christened) at one of our churches
• If one of the couple had their confirmation entered in the register book of confirmations at any of our churches
• If either of the couple’s parents or grandparents were married in one of our churches according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church in Wales
• If either one of the couple have had their usual place of residence in the Ministry Area for at least six months. This can apply even if you no longer live in the ministry area.
• If the parent or parents of one of the couple had their usual place of residence in the parish for at least six months during their life time, or habitually attended public worship in our Ministry Area for at least six months
• If either one of the couple have habitually attended public worship in our Ministry
  Area for a period of at least six months

Legal formalities
When you come to make arrangements for your wedding, you will be asked to prove
your identity and your address. You can either be married by Banns (notice of your
intention to marry read out in church for three Sundays) or by Special Licence (rarely
necessary: quicker but more expensive than Banns).

When can we be married?
After consultation with a vicar about dates and times, your service can be booked;
sometimes couples book a few years in advance. We conduct marriage ceremonies
between 8 o’clock in the morning and 6 o’clock in the evening. We do not conduct
wedding services on Good Friday as this is a sacred time or commemorating Jesus’
death.
Can we write our own vows?
The church wedding service is both a religious ceremony and a legal process.
The Marriage Service has been agreed by Parliament as an authorised legal
religious ceremony and as such it cannot be altered for each individual couple. In
contrast weddings held in registered premises such as a hotel or Register Office are
non-religious and different rules apply. However, there are still lots of options and it
is usually to personalise your wedding ceremony through music, readings and
creating the atmosphere for the service.
Can we have photos and videos?
Yes. You can ask someone to take photographs of the wedding and to make a video.
Please remember that if you choose to record the service you may need a licence,
as some parts of the service will be copyrighted. Again, there are certain protocols in
place which will be explained to you when a booking is made.
How much does a wedding cost?
The fees are reviewed by the Church in Wales every year, and the vicar will be able
to give you more details. When you arrange your wedding you will be asked for a
£100 deposit, which is non-refundable.

Note that at present The Church in Wales is barred by Law from undertaking
marriage ceremonies of same sex couples, but we are licensed to perform wedding
blessings of same sex couples.

Please contact us if you would like further information or advice. The relevant contacts are: