Weddings

Weddings, Wedding Blessings
& Prayers of Love and Faith for Same-sex Couples


We would love to help you celebrate such a precious event in your life and everyone is welcome at St Mary’s. People have all sorts of wonky ideas about getting married in church (no, you don't need to be christened, for example) and it needn't cost the earth - honestly - so please get in touch if you have any questions. The website www.yourchurchwedding.org is a good place to look, too.

First steps
To inquire about dates for your marriage, please contact our Parish Co-ordinator, Elena. Once you've been in touch, she will arrange to meet with you to fill in a short and simple form, fix a date and get the ball rolling.

You'll then be advised which member of our lovely clergy team will be officiating on your Big Day and you'll be invited to meet them and talk through what is involved, and how we can make the ceremony as meaningful, joyful and authentic as possible. It is also a valuable opportunity to discuss the bigger questions of love, faith, life, the universe and everything.

Some of the happiest weddings we have hosted have been where one or both people have been previously married (or in a civil partnership) and God has given them a second chance. Please discuss this with the Rector when you meet him.

Wedding blessings
It may be that you have just had a civil wedding (a ‘registry office’ marriage) in this country or you have been married abroad but would like your marriage to be blessed in church, if this is case, please talk to Revd Paul and he can advise you on what the church can offer you. They are always very happy and meaningful occasions!

Celebrating Same-Sex couples
As the Bible says, 'God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them' (1 John 4). We are delighted that the Church of England has introduced Prayers of Love & Faith for same-sex couples who wish to give thanks for, and mark that love in faith, before God. These prayers are offered to express thanksgiving and hope, that those who are dedicating their life together may grow in faith, love and service and know God’s blessing. At the current time, such a happy event must take place within an existing service - additional resources and options will be available shortly, we hope - but contact Revd Paul on rector@stmaryslinton.org.uk and he'll be pleased to meet and discuss with you how to celebrate the love God has planted in your hearts.

Charges
There are various charges for your wedding: the wedding itself and additional charges for extras such as ringing of the church bells, flowers, organist, choir and hire of the Pavilion depending on what you have chosen.

Elena will explain current fees, based on those published by the Church of England in the January of the year in which your wedding will take place. Before this, we will be able to give you a ‘ball-park figure’.  A very useful source of information about Church of England weddings in general, and how you can make yours really special can be found on the Church of England website

Ancient roots…
Celebrating your love for one another in church is personal, meaningful and spiritual and it’s a privilege for us to welcome you to this ancient place to do so. You will be following in the footsteps of countless people who, over a thousand years, have stood together on these stones before their closest friends and family, and God who brought them together, to pledge their love and begin an exciting new chapter of their lives.

We look forward to hearing from you.

For more details please contact our Parish Co-ordinator, Elena or Revd Paul on rector@stmaryslinton.org.uk or 01223 455098.


This webpage updated 13th March 2024