Weddings: St Mary’s and St Augustine’s Churches are pleased to be able to offer wedding services to people who live in the parishes or people who are regular worshippers at the church or have a connection with the village. We believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other. The marriage ceremony gives you a new legal status as husband and wife – the contract part - but it is also a covenantal commitment in front of God. If you would like to make an enquiry about getting married at St Mary’s please telephone our Vicar (see contacts page). There is more information on the Church of England website including information on cost; whether or not you can be married at one of our churches (rules may have changed recently), renewal of vows, etc. There is also a Ceremony Planner to help with choice of hymns, readings and other service detail. Bible readings for a wedding The bible reading at a wedding is a very important part of the service so choosing one or two of these suggested readings needs careful thought. Old Testament Readings • God creates women and men to look after the Earth – Genesis Chapter 1: verses 26- 28 • A love poem between two lovers. (Part I) - Song of Solomon Chapter 2: verses 10-13 • A love poem between two lovers. (Part II) – Song of Solomon Chapter 8: verses 6-7 New Testament Readings • Jesus teaches how to live a life that brings true happiness – Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 1-10 • Jesus teaches about marriage – Mark, Chapter 10, verses 6-9 • Jesus welcomes children – Mark, Chapter 10, verses 13-16 • What happens when Jesus attends a wedding reception – John, Chapter 2, verses 1-11 • Love, actually! The number one most popular reading used at weddings – 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13 • Committing to each other – Ephesians, Chapter 5, verses 21-33 • Seeing the good side – Philippians, Chapter 4, verses 4-9 • Getting the perfect relationship – Colossians, Chapter 3, verses 12-17 • Being a good lover! – 1 John, Chapter 4, verses 7-12 • Transformed by love – Romans 12: 1,2, 9- 13 (link shows all from 1-13) • A prayer of encouragement – Ephesians 3: 14-end • Remaining in love so you bear fruit – John 15: 9-17 • The true vine and the branches – John 15: 1-8 • My help comes from the Lord – 121 Psalm see also: Ceremony Planner What are Banns? The legal preliminary to marriage in church is for banns to be published. Banns are the public announcement that two people wish to marry, and an invitation to anybody who knows just cause or impediment to the union to declare it. On three Sundays prior to the wedding, the banns are read out in the parish church(es) of the future bride and groom, and are effective for three months afterwards. Banns must be called in both the church where the wedding is to be held, as well as the parish church(es) of the bride and groom (from which certificate(s) of banns must be obtained).