Getting Married
A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana, and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine.
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 their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God's blessing.*
You can find out more about Weddings at the Church of England's Weddings website.
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 13.4-7
Getting Married at St Stephens
If either you or your partner live in the Parish of St Stephen then you are entitled to be married in the church. If you do not live in the parish then you may still be entitled to be married in the church if you have a connection here. If you would like to discuss a wedding at St Stephens, then please telephone us on 01253 353894 or complete the form below.
*From the Patoral Introduction to The Marriage Service, Common Worship © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England or reproduced with permission from other copyright owners.