WEDDING
The Church believes that it is God's intention that a marriage should be a relationship where two people enjoy "a life-long union of heart, body and mind; comfort and companionship; enrichment and encouragement; tenderness and trust." (The Methodist Worship Book)
Questions about Wedding
What is the first step?
One of us is divorced. Is that OK?
The rules and laws relating to divorce are not made by the church but by the State. The best advice is to speak to the local minister or the superintendent minister of the circuit where you live.
Does one of us have to be a Methodist?
People wanting to marry in church don't have to be members of the church, but most ministers will ask them why they wish to marry in church. A church marriage is a solemn Christian ceremony, with prayers and Bible readings reflecting Christian understandings of what marriage is about. Whilst people wishing to marry in a Methodist church do not need to be church members, most ministers will look for a genuine desire on the part of a couple to take their marriage seriously along the lines set out in the service. Discussing what this means in practice will be part of the marriage preparation.
What if we are from two different denominations?