Weddings
Congratulations!
In the first instance may we congratulate you on your decision to marry. Christians reading the Bible find right at the beginning of the Bible, almost on page one, that God invented marriage and offers marriage as a gift to men and women as part of his creation. We therefore firmly believe that marriage is good for you and for society. Although it takes hard work on both sides, there’s plenty of evidence to show that marriage boosts health and happiness, helps keep you together, protects you legally and financially, and is the best environment in which to raise children.
A Church Wedding
We also believe there are also some things about a church wedding that you just can’t get anywhere else. A church wedding will add a spiritual dimension to your marriage. It’s a ceremony that bonds you together, not just in front of your family and friends, but in the eyes of God as well. The vows you make are just too big to make anywhere else. It’s not simply the beauty of a church building or the experience of the Minister, but the fact that God Himself would want to welcome you and see you draw closer to Him.
We will help if we can.
Our clergy and staff team are committed to doing the best we can for couples getting married here. We try and make every wedding service special, involving each bride and groom in making choices about their service. But a church wedding is not just about the big day itself - a wedding day is just Day 1 of the life-long adventure that is marriage. So, in preparation for marriage, we offer time and space to couples to reflect on marriage and the marriage vows. We also invite couples to share in our regular worship and explore what it means to live as a Christian today, seeking to honour God in all things, including marriage. And if you live in or around Heswall, Heswall Parish is here for you, not just on your wedding day but in the months and years to come.
Getting married at St. Peter’s Church or The Lighthouse Church
Most people are married in the Church of England by a process that involves reading Banns. We would be able to read your Banns at St. Peter’s or The Lighthouse Church for you to be married here if at least ONE of you has ONE of the following connections:
- you currently live within the Parish of Heswall, or
- you were baptised and/or confirmed at St. Peter’s or the Good Shepherd*, or
- you have previously lived in the Parish for 6 months or more, at any time during your lives, or
- you have attended worship at St. Peter’s or The Lighthouse Church for at least 6 months, or
- you have a parent who has lived or worshipped in the Parish (during your lifetime), or
- you have a parent or grandparent who was married at St. Peter’s or the Good Shepherd*.
(* the Good Shepherd was the church before The Lighthouse Church was built)
If you do have one of these connections
If you already have one of these special connections and wish to be married here then we would be delighted to book your wedding. We will do our very best to help you prepare for married life together and plan a memorable wedding to establish your marriage. Since marriage is something governed by the Law of the Land we will need to ask for documentation to confirm your connection with the Parish.
If you don’t have one of these connections
If you do not have any of the above connections you may still be able to marry at St. Peter’s or The Lighthouse Church if you are willing to commit to worshipping with us regularly (at least twice a month) for a period of 6 months, thus fulfilling connection 4. In very exceptional circumstances it is possible to conduct a wedding not by Banns but using a Special Licence.
Marriage in Church after Divorce
If either of you has been married before and has a spouse who is still alive, then it may be possible to conduct your marriage at St. Peter’s Church or The Lighthouse Church. However in line with the Church of England’s national policy on marriage in church after divorce we ask you, in the first instance, to make an appointment to see a member of our clergy team. We’ll send you a short form to complete that asks for details about yourselves, your circumstances and your wishes. We will ask to meet with you a couple of times to reflect with you on the past, your hopes for the future and understanding of marriage with the aim of reaching agreement together.
To Book your Wedding Date
If you would like to discuss getting married at Heswall Parish then please get in touch with our Parish Office.