Planning A Sacred Church Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a church wedding ceremony involves a lot of preparation. From contacting the minister or priest to discussing hymns, readings, prayers and music, there's a lot to consider. You'll also need to factor in the cost of the ceremony, which can be around £500 in England and Wales. It's important to book the church as early as possible, especially if you're hoping to marry during peak wedding season. You may also need to establish a period of residency or attend services at the church for a certain period of time.

Choosing a church and contacting the minister

When choosing a church, you should consider the location and whether it is in your local residential area. If you are hoping to marry outside of your parish, you will need to contact the minister at an early stage to explain your reasoning and situation. If the minister is happy for you to marry at the church, you may be asked to establish a period of residency for seven to twenty-one days, or to attend services for a certain period of time.

If you are marrying in England or Wales, bear in mind that most Church of England churches will not host ceremonies during Lent, although this is not usually the case for Catholic ceremonies. It is also important to contact the church as soon as possible, as places get booked up months in advance.

When contacting the minister, you will need to discuss the service, hymns, readings, prayers and music. You can download a ceremony planning booklet to help with this. You may also want to consider whether you would like a wedding rehearsal, which can help everyone to know what to expect on the day.

Hymns, readings, prayers and music

When planning a church wedding ceremony, it's important to contact the minister or priest at an early stage to discuss your ideas for hymns, readings, prayers and music. You may be asked to establish a period of residency for seven to 21 days, or to attend services at the church for a certain period of time.

Hymns are a traditional part of a church wedding ceremony and can be chosen to reflect the couple's religious beliefs and personal tastes. Some popular hymns for weddings include "Jerusalem", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art".

Readings are also an important part of a church wedding ceremony and can be chosen from the Bible or other religious texts. Popular readings include 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Ephesians 5:22-33, which highlight the importance of love, commitment and God's design for marriage.

Prayers are an integral part of a church wedding ceremony and can be used to invoke God's blessing, presence and guidance over the ceremony and the couple's marriage.

Music is also an important consideration for a church wedding ceremony. The bride's entrance is often accompanied by a processional song, and there may be other opportunities for music during the ceremony, such as during the signing of the register.

The wedding party and processional

Planning a church wedding ceremony involves a lot of organisation, and it's important to book your church as early as possible. It's also worth noting that most Church of England churches won't host ceremonies during Lent, so you'll need to bear this in mind when planning your wedding date.

The wedding party, including the groomsmen, bridesmaids, ring bearer, and flower girl, should enter the church in a designated order. The bride, escorted by her father or a chosen person, walks down the aisle to the accompaniment of a processional song.

The wedding rehearsal is a good opportunity to go through the service and for everyone to know what to expect, where to stand and what to say. You can also use this time to decide on the designated order for the wedding party to enter the church.

Wedding rehearsal

A wedding rehearsal is a great way to ensure that everyone knows what to expect on the day, where to stand, and what to do and say. It's also a good opportunity to take some photos, whether you opt for a professional photographer or ask a friend to take some snaps.

The wedding party, including the groomsmen, bridesmaids, ring bearer, and flower girl, should enter the venue in a designated order. The bride, escorted by her father or a chosen person, will walk down the aisle to the accompaniment of a processional song.

A prayer will be said to invoke God's blessing, presence, and guidance over the ceremony and the couple's marriage. There will also be readings from the Bible that highlight the importance of love, commitment, and God's design for marriage.

If you have a particular church in mind, it's worth contacting the minister as soon as possible to discuss your plans and ideas for hymns, readings, and prayers.

Wedding photography

On the day, you'll want to capture the wedding party entering the church, the bride walking down the aisle, the exchange of vows, the signing of the register, and the first kiss as a married couple. You may also want to get some photos of the wedding rings, the bouquet, and any other special details.

After the ceremony, you'll want to get some group shots of the wedding party, as well as photos of the happy couple with their families. If your ceremony is taking place in the morning, you could make use of the church grounds for these photos, or you could head to a nearby park or garden.

If you're having a reception, your photographer can capture the cutting of the cake, the first dance, and the party atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions