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Welcome.... and thank you for visiting this draft new page. Subjects incude:
Church Weddings : Which church can I marry in? : Fees : Planning : Music : Service Types : Disability : Video : Service Sheets : Christian marriage & marriage preparation : Alternative Wedding Presents and Links
Church Weddings: There are many reasons for choosing to marry in church. It is often the bride and groom's opportunity to express their love for each other whilst asking for God's help at the same time, marrying in a public place with the support and witness of those who know and love them.
Church weddings are a 'one-stop event', fulfilling all the legal criteria whilst providing an uplifting ceremony to join hands , exchange rings and unite two lives.
By marrying in church, the couple are ensuring that the wedding day and marriage are blessed with everything good within a Christian understanding of marriage, asking for - and receiving - God's blessings - far more than just a wish of 'good luck'. Here are a few pointers to help those with questions about marrying in church.
Which church can I marry in? Ask your minister, church leader, pastor or priest - if you have a link with any church already. For Church of England weddings you may wish to check which church is your nearest parish church - the parish boundaries are listed by post code within the Anglican Diocesan website; see also the Church of England's 'Your Church Wedding' website with details on the 2008 changes in church law.
List of fees: Fees for services are linked via our Fees page.
Planning: As with much of married life, a little planning often pays off! Some churches may have several wedding services on your chosen day, so please get in contact with your church as part of your first 'things to do'.
Music: Many churches have a choir, contemporary music group or worship band. Some have modern sound systems which will handle the full range of sounds from a CD. The vicar, priest, minister - or the choir master, music director or worship leader - can advise on suitable music for a church service. Allow time for rehearsals, obtaining any special music and copyright. Some music may be unsuitable for church - be ready to ask for alternatives.
Service type: Many prefer the traditional words, vows and style of the 1662 or 1928 Church of England services. Other modern and contemporary services provide the opportunity to ground all the essential ingredients of the ceremony - and much more - in the language of today. The Church of England website has downloadable order of service files. Take time to discuss the options with the church leader, minister vicar or priest.
Disability: Most churches in this area have Induction loops to help the hard of hearing to join in with the ceremony. You may have to organise your own BSL or Makaton signer, although Harrogate Deaf Church may be a point of contact. This website includes a list of full list of all churches in Harrogate with Disabled and Wheeled Access listings and more.
Video: You may need to consider the implications of copyright law on the recording of the service - as well as the wise placing of camera operators. It would be wise to ask early in your planning. Some churches have cassette tape recorders (usually used to tape the sermon for the housebound) and may be able to help with an audio tape of the ceremony. Again, copyright laws contain certain restrictions.
Service sheets: The service sheet serves as more than just helping your guests and supporters to find their way through the ceremony; the booklets or sheets provide a reminder on a shelf to uphold the married couple in all ways as they start out on married life together. Consider what your guests will need - some may know 'The Lord's Prayer' and 'The Grace' - but you may wish to include the words for those who rarely visit a church or struggle with poor memory. (Lord's prayer words available on this website)
Copyright also impacts on the printing of words of songs and so on; churches with a CCLi licence will be able to advise on this area.
What is Christian marriage? Many books have been written - available, locally, at the Wesley Owen bookshop on Commercial Street, Harrogate (Map). This extract is taken from the website of Dorchester Parish:
Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians, marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus Christ. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses.
On this their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God's blessing. You are witnesses of the marriage, and express your support by your presence and your prayers. Your support does not end today: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and years ahead of them.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13, verses 4-7; On-line Bible)
The service includes prayers and readings, hymns, vows and promises and the exchange of rings by the couple, the blessing of the marriage and its formal registration through the issuing of the wedding certificate. Provision can and often is made actively to involve family and friends in the service.
Nowadays many places are licensed for wedding services. People are very often pleasantly surprised both as to the depth and meaning of the Church of England Marriage Service and the more practical considerations such as cost and flexibility in the use of a large building.
Many Marriage Preparation courses are available, run by churches across this area; the Holy Trinity Marriage Course has been produced by the church who wrote for the Alpha Course. This Marriage course has been run locally by Life Destiny Church and through One Voice, York.
Wedding presents: If you're considering an alternative wedding list - and would rather not have everyone 'bring a goat', explore websites such as Living Generously.
Links: The Church of England's 'Your Church Wedding' website, packed with further info on church weddings as well as details on the 2008 changes in church law
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This page last updated
October 28, 2008
Churches Together in Harrogate : loving God and neighbour - together : www.ctharrogate.org.uk