A marriage service, wherever it is held, is a public declaration of love and commitment to your partner.  If you choose to get married in church there is an added dimension.  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. It is God who blesses and seals your marriage.

How do I book St George’s?

As soon as you have decided you would like to be married in St George’s, get in touch with the Parish Office on 01905 759720. You could also come along to church any Sunday to speak to a vicar or the church warden face to face after the service.

How much will it cost?

There are legal fees for a marriage which cover the publication of the banns, banns certificate (if necessary), the marriage service and a certificate of marriage.  The fees are fixed centrally and revised annually and the office staff can advise you of the current fees. You may be surprised that the cost of a wedding in church is often quite a lot cheaper than a civil ceremony in a hotel. And our clergy will spend a lot more time getting to know you before the service and be much more open to listening to your ideas.

What if one or both of us is divorced?

The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life but it recognises that sometimes marriages do fail.  Here at St George’s we accept that, in most circumstances, a divorced person may marry again in church during the lifetime of a former spouse.  The Parish Administrator can arrange for you to meet with a vicar before a firm booking is made.

Foreign nationals?

If one or both of you are foreign nationals, there may be a slightly more complicated registration process to go through before you can be married in church. It quite often happens, these days, and there should be no problem.

Do I have to be baptised and/or a regular churchgoer to be married at St George’s?

No. Anyone who lives in the parish or meets the wider qualifying connections who can legally be married in the UK is entitled to be married in church. The same goes for when one of you is a member of another denomination or another faith. We’d love to talk to you about exploring the Christian faith, and about being baptised, but it is not a requirement.

How flexible is the service?

The service is surprisingly flexible. It is your big day, and we want to help you make it special, personal and wonderful. We will meet well before the service to discuss the shape and content. We use the contemporary language service of the Church of England, which is very clear and much more equal in its treatment of the bride and groom than former services. You will need a bible reading, but you can have a variety of other readings, songs and music. We can advise you on hymns, flowers and music and throughout this process we will pray for you both, for your relationship and for your marriage.

How many guests can we have?

The church is large and set out in an oval. It seats about 150 comfortably. However, it feels a great welcoming space with fewer as well. With notice we can put in extra chairs.

Am I allowed photos and videos?

Yes, of course. We tend to ask the congregation to refrain from taking photographs during the service so they can concentrate on praying for you and supporting you.

Do you offer marriage preparation?

Yes. All couples are expected to attend a marriage preparation session prior to their wedding. This helps you plan your wedding taking into account the special circumstances of a church ceremony. It also helps couples prepare for the very important first few months of marriage.  It gives you experienced people to talk to you about your plans and your hopes and worries. These sessions are great fun, and will help you both to think through your church wedding.