Weddings

What the Church believes about marriage:
“Marriage is a gift of God through which husband and wife may grow together in the knowledge, love and service of God.
It is given that, united with one another in heart, in mind and in body, they may increase in love and trust. God joins husband and wife in life-long union as the foundation of family life (in which children are born and nurtured and) in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love. Marriage enriches society and strengthens community.”
© Church in Wales Marriage Service

Where can we be married?
You can marry in any of our churches if one or other of you lives in the parish. You can also get married in any of our churches if you live outside the parish but regularly worship in one of our churches and have your name on the Church electoral roll (membership list).
There are other possibilities under the Marriage (Wales) Act 2010
• If you were baptised at one of our churches or
• If you have your confirmation entered in the register book of confirmations at any of our churches or
• If your parents or grandparents were married in one of our churches according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church in Wales or
• If you have had your usual place of residence in the parish for at least six months. This can apply even if you no longer live in the parish or
• If your parent or parents had their usual place of residence in the parish for at least six months during your life time, or habitually attended public worship in our parish for at least six months or
• If you have habitually attended public worship in our parish 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 Licence (rarely necessary: quicker but more expensive than Banns).
You will need to bring a driving licence or passport with you, or something that shows your current address, We need this for the bride and the groom.

When can we be married?
There has to be some consultation about dates and times, because we have to be certain that the church is available and that your wedding does not clash with someone else’s wedding. We also have to make sure that a priest will be available to marry you.
We conduct marriage ceremonies between 8 o’clock in the morning and 6 o’clock in the evening.
We do not marry anyone from Palm Sunday to Easter Day.

Can we write our own vows?
Marriage in Church is both a religious ceremony and a legal process.
The Marriage Service has been agreed by Parliament as an authorised legal as well as religious ceremony and so it cannot be altered for each individual couple. Services held in registered premises such as a hotel or Register Office are non religious and different rules apply.
Please also remember that you are not hiring a venue. There are certain protocols in place which will be explained to you when a booking is made.

Can we have photos?
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 Priest 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.

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