Question: What do Christians believe about marriage?
Answer: Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, come what may. The Bible compares married love with the love Jesus has for his followers. He expressed his love by being prepared to sacrifice himself, even to die for the people he loved. This is amazing, unconditional love. Jesus never said 'I love you, but …'. In marriage we can try to follow his model of loving each other by putting our partner’s needs before our own.
The marriage ceremony gives a person a new legal status as husband or wife. Christians believe that marriage offers the right place for the fulfilment of our sexuality and a stable and secure environment for bringing up children.

Question: Where can I get married?
Answer: You can get married in the parish church in the area in which you live.

Question: What if I want to be married in St. Nicholas and it's not my parish church?
Answer: If you are a regular worshipper in our church, it is usually possible to be married in St. Nicholas. Just speak to Father Kevin. If you are not a regular worshipper why not start attending? You will normally be expected to attend services for some time before getting married at St. Nicholas.

Question: I’m divorced. Can I still get married in church?
Answer: The Anglican Church believes that marriage is for life. But it recognises that sadly, some marriages do fail. In exceptional circumstances, the Church accepts that a divorced person may marry again.

Speak to Father Kevin. He will want to talk to you frankly about your past and your hopes for the future. Even if it is not possible for him to conduct your wedding ceremony, he may be willing to offer you a service of prayer and dedication after a civil ceremony.

Question: I’m an Anglican and my partner is a Catholic. Does that matter?
Answer: People of all denominations have a right to be married in their parish church (provided they have not been married before). So it doesn’t matter from the Anglican Church’s perspective if one of you is a Roman Catholic.

Question: Why do we need marriage preparation?
Answer: You have probably invested a lot of time planning your wedding. The day is important but your marriage should last for the rest of your life. However much you think you know each other, you are still two separate individuals with different backgrounds, personalities, experiences, hopes and fears.

Question: Can we be involved in planning the service?
Answer: Yes. You can choose to have a modern language service from the Book of Alternative Services or one in more traditional language from the Book of Common Prayer. There will also be some prayers, which you may help to choose, or you may write your own. You may want to involve friends and family members in the service, for example by doing a reading or a prayer or playing a musical instrument. Father Kevin or our church organist can advise on suitable hymns and songs, as well as music for coming in, going out and during the signing of the register.

Question: Should we have one or two rings?
Answer: A wedding ring is a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, and of the commitment you are making to each other. It is entirely up to you whether you have one ring or two.

Question: Can we have a video recording of the service?
Answer: You will need to ask permission from Father Kevin

Question: Will there be a rehearsal?
Answer: Father Kevin will probably want to meet you and the other people taking part in the service before the wedding, in the church, to talk to you all about what to expect.

Question: What about flowers in church?
Answer: St. Nicholas can do these for you at a reasonable charge and the flower arranger will be happy to discuss what you want. You can also do your own or engage your own florist.

Question: May we marry on a Sunday?
Answer: Although you have the right to get married in the church, the time of the service is decided by negotiation with Father Kevin. It must be between 8am and 6pm and not clash with other services. Therefore you could get married on a Sunday provided it was not at a time of the normal Sunday services and Father Kevin was willing to officiate.