St Mary Magdalen’s offers three kinds of services related to marriage:
Marriage services
Services of Blessing after a Civil Marriage
Services of the Renewal of Marriage Vows
Besides these services, we also offer Marriage Courses. A five-session marriage course is a standard part of our preparation before a wedding, but is also open to those seeking services of blessing and vow renewal. Any couple may also ask about the Marriage Course.
Marriage
First of all, congratulations on your engagement! You will have lots to plan before your wedding day, and so much to look forward to.
If you currently live in one of the parishes in our Benefice, the law allows you be married here. If not, there are other ways you can legally qualify—for example, if you previously lived in the parish, or if your family is still in the parish, or if you were baptised/confirmed here. Do speak to us about this using our Contact Form.
Our common practice here is to celebrate marriage with a Nuptial High Mass with full choral accompaniment. However, a marriage service sans messe is also possible.
After an informal conversation with the parish priest, he will redirect you here to complete the marriage form:
Services of Thanksgiving, Prayer, and Blessing
If you wanted to be married in church, but for some reason that was not possible, you may still have a service of blessing, which can look and feel just like a church marriage service (except that you don't sign marriage registers as you may have done this already).
We are also very pleased to be able to offer the Church of England's new service written for same-sex couples, called Prayers of Love and Faith.
Also, if you do not want to get married, but would like your relationship to be blessed, this is also possible.
These services of thanksgiving, prayer, and blessing may also take place within a celebration of the Eucharist.
Please contact us about this using our Contact Form.
Renewal of Vows
A service of the renewal of marriage vows are appropriate for celebrations of significant anniversaries, and also to mark transitional moments, including the end of particularly challenging periods. This service is a good way to give thanks for your life together so far, and reaffirm the vows that you made.
This service may also take place within a celebration of the Eucharist.
Please contact us about this using our Contact Form.