A Wedding Walkthrough: Church Edition

A church wedding is a solemn sacrament, and as such, the ceremony takes place in a sacred space. The church is a place of reverence, awe, and peace, welcoming all into the presence of God. The ceremony itself is steeped in tradition and religious customs, with the exchange of vows and rings, all culminating in the first kiss as a married couple.

The processional is the first step, with the wedding party and family members walking down the aisle to take their places. The vicar then welcomes everyone and a hymn is often sung. The vicar gives an introduction, speaking about the purpose of marriage and God's will, before asking if there is any legal reason why the couple should not marry. The couple then exchange vows, declaring their commitment to each other, followed by the exchange of rings as a symbol of their union. The vicar pronounces them husband and wife, and the newlyweds seal their marriage with a kiss.

The ceremony also includes Bible readings, a talk by the vicar, and the signing of the legal paperwork, witnessed by two members of the wedding party. Final prayers are said, and the couple walks back down the aisle as guests cheer and throw confetti.

The processional

• The mother of the bride enters first and takes her seat to the left of the aisle in the first row.
• The groom then takes his place at the head of the altar, either entering from the side of the venue or walking down the aisle solo.
• The best man either walks in from the side and takes his place at the altar next to the groom or walks in as the last groomsman.
• The groomsmen open the processional as they walk down the aisle one by one.
• The bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one before the maid or matron of honour.
• The flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s) precede the bride down the aisle.
• The father of the bride and the bride bring up the rear, with the bride's father traditionally escorting his daughter down the aisle.

A few tips for the processional:

• Ask your vicar to leave enough space behind them for your bridesmaids to go next and leave space between them and you.
• Ask your bridesmaids to count to 20 once the vicar sets off before they start walking to give the wedding photographer plenty of time to get some great shots.
• Don't worry about sorting out the train of your dress before you walk down the aisle – ask a bridesmaid to sort it out when you get to the groom instead.

The vicar's welcome

The Setting

Arriving at the church, the bride will have a few moments before she enters, with the bridal party following as the entrance music begins to play. The vicar will then begin by welcoming everyone to the ceremony. This is usually done at the altar, where the vicar will stand alongside the couple.

The Hymn

A hymn is often sung after the vicar's welcome. This is a traditional part of a church wedding and adds to the solemn and sacred atmosphere. The choice of hymn can be discussed with the vicar beforehand to ensure it aligns with the theme of the ceremony.

The Introduction

The vicar will then give an introduction, which speaks of the purpose of marriage and God's will for it. This introduction is an opportunity for the vicar to explain the significance of the sacrament of marriage and how it relates to the couple's relationship and their faith community.

The Legal Declaration

As per the Marriage Act, the vicar will then ask everyone present if there is any legal reason why the couple should not marry. This is a formal and important part of the ceremony, ensuring that the marriage is valid and recognised by law.

The Commitment

The vicar will then address the couple directly, asking them about their commitment to each other. The couple will respond with "I will", reaffirming their intention to marry.

The Support

The vicar will then ask the guests if they will support the couple in their marriage. This is usually done by asking, "Will you support them in their marriage?", to which the guests reply, "We will". This exchange symbolises the community's blessing and encouragement for the couple's union.

The Readings

At this point, there may be a Bible reading and a talk by the vicar, or the vicar may choose to continue with the vows. Other readings can also be included, with guests invited to read from the Bible or share other types of readings.

The vicar's introduction

The vicar will begin the ceremony by welcoming everyone to the church and a hymn is often sung. The vicar will then give a brief introduction, speaking about the purpose of marriage and God's will for it.

The vicar might also take this opportunity to thank the guests for attending and bearing witness to the union. They might also acknowledge the importance of the occasion as a sacred moment, bringing together two people in the eyes of God.

The exchange of rings

The best man is usually asked to step forward and hand the rings to the vicar, either directly or by placing them on the Bible. The vicar may then ask the couple to turn to face each other and place the rings on each other's ring fingers. The vicar may also ask the couple to recite a vow as they exchange rings. This could be:

> "I give this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Alternatively, the couple may say:

> " [Name], I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honour you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With this ring, I thee wed."

The vicar may also offer a blessing as the rings are exchanged, such as:

> "May the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of their endless love and serve to remind them of the holy covenant they have entered into today to be faithful, loving, and kind to each other."

The signing of the paperwork

The Signing Process

The vicar will explain to the guests that the couple needs to sign the legal paperwork. This can be done at the main altar, a side altar, or even in a separate room, depending on the church's setup and the couple's preference. The couple, the vicar, and two witnesses must be present for the signing. The witnesses can be anyone of the couple's choosing, as long as they are old enough (usually 16 or above) and can speak and understand English.

Music and Hymns

During the signing, music is often played, or the congregation may sing a hymn to fill the time. This adds a solemn and joyous atmosphere to the occasion.

Timing

The signing process usually takes around ten minutes to complete. It's a brief but significant moment in the ceremony, as it finalises the legal aspect of the marriage.

Witnesses

Once the paperwork is signed, the witnesses will return to their seats, and the couple will remain in front of the vicar for the remainder of the service.

Final Prayers

After the signing, the vicar will lead the congregation in some final prayers. This includes the Lord's Prayer, which is said together by everyone present.

Final Blessing

The vicar will then offer a final blessing to conclude the service. This is typically the same prayer recited at the end of every weekly mass. The congregation may respond with a customary phrase, such as "Thanks be to God."

Exit Music

As the newly married couple walks back down the aisle, music can be played to celebrate their union. This marks the end of the ceremony, and the couple is now officially married!

Photography

Frequently asked questions