Weddings in churches of the Benefice of Whorlton

... to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part;
according to God’s holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.

Today more than a quarter of all marriages in England between a man and a woman take place in the traditional setting of a Church of England church. You're welcome to marry in church whatever your beliefs, whether or not you are baptised and whether or not you go to church.

Getting married in church is personal, meaningful and spiritual just as you want it to be. During wedding ceremony in church two people vow to one another love and care, but also they ask God to be their witness and supporter. They ask God to bless their marriage. Churches are special and unique places to get married in - the prayers, promises and the whole service of celebration become part of your marriage, on the day itself and beyond.

Theoretically, you can marry in a any church that belongs to the Church of England. All you have to do is to show a qualifying connection with the church of your choice. How to do it?  The most simple way is to show that one of you has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or was baptised or confirmed in the parish concerned or has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months. If it is not the case, you can still marry in your chosen church if one of your parents or grandparents has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or has regularly gone to church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or was married in this church.

If you still cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, you could create one, simply by attending your chosen church’s usual services at least once a month for six consecutive months.