Getting Married at St. Dunstan’s
or St. Peter’s
Congratulations! We are delighted that you are considering getting married at St Dunstan’s or St Peter’s.
People have chosen a Christian marriage service for centuries, because it frames the wonderful act of committing oneself to another within the incomparable love of God. This, coupled with the support that a priest and the wider congregation can offer to a couple planning their wedding, means that thousands of people still choose begin married life in such a setting today.
Can I Get Married at St Dunstan’s
To marry in a particular Church of England church, the law states that you have to have what is called a ‘qualifying connection’ to that church.
The most customary place for a couple to marry is in the church of the parish where one (or both) of the couple live.
You can marry in a given Church of England church if you can show that one of you:
You can marry in a given Church of England church if you can show that one of you:
- has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- was baptized (christened) in the parish concerned, or
- Is confirmed and your confirmation was entered in the register of confirmations for a church or chapel in the parish (this will usually be the case if you were prepared for confirmation in the parish), or
- has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
or
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
or
That one of your parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish.
If you don’t already fulfil any of the above requirements, you can establish a connection by regularly attending your chosen church’s usual services for six consecutive months before your Banns of Marriage (public notice of your intention to marry) are due to be called. In practice, this means from at least nine months before the date of the marriage.
Can I Get Married at St Peter’s Chapel at Owlswick?
St Peter’s Chapel is a Chapel of Ease within the parish of Monks Risborough with Owlswick. To get married in St Peter’s, a couple would have to apply for an Archbishop of Canterbury’s Special Marriage Licence. As part of this, in addition to the above criteria, you must be able to show a “genuine and longstanding link” with the building.
Why get married at St Dunstan’s
A Christian marriage service has many beautiful elements. Most significantly, it echoes the love that God has for each and every one of us, and this sacred love surrounds the couple as they commit their lives to one another. The rings which they exchange are blessed, as are the couple themselves, and they are prayed for, that their marriage may be life-long and life-giving.
Our Vicar Peter take seriously the duty of a priest to help a couple as they approach their wedding day. He will take you through marriage preparation, where you will consider some useful wisdom that will help you both as you make the wonderful, life-changing transition to husband and wife. He will help you plan your service, taking you through the structure of a Church of England marriage service and helping you choose music and readings. He will pray for you, and encourage you as you journey towards your wedding day and beyond.
How can I make an enquiry about a marriage service?
If you would like to enquire about getting married, then please contact our Vicar, Peter, either on 01844 274771, or at revpetergodden@outlook.com. He will then begin the process of taking you through some legal preliminaries, and arrange an initial meeting with you. All being well, it should then be possible to confirm a date for a service.
