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?

A couple wishing to get married should approach the Methodist Minister of the church at which they wish to be married. As part of the legal process, prospective marriage partners will also need to go to the local registry office. Further details can be found at www.Gov.uk



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. The Methodist Church is generally willing to marry people who have been divorced, while their previous spouse is still alive, as long as there are no major obvious reasons why it would be inappropriate to do so. There are a very few ministers who will never marry someone who has been divorced, but such a minister will refer the couple to a minister who is willing to marry divorced people.



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?

Many marriages in Methodist churches (and many couples marrying in Methodist churches) include people from different Christian denominations. Where two people from different church traditions marry, it is quite common for ministers from both churches to take part in the ceremony. This is welcomed. Sometimes, people from different faiths marry - and there is advice available for such marriages. For further information: The first point of contact is your local church where the minister can discuss your questions with you.



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