Getting Married at St Matthew’s - Crumpsall

If you are looking at this page, then the chances are that you have recently got engaged to be married – CONGRATULATIONS!

WE LOVE WEDDINGS at St Matt’s, and often couples who have got to know the church as they prepare for their wedding choose to continue as regular members of the congregation.

Below are some notes to help you think about your wedding day.

Why get married in church?

We believe that love and companionship is a gift from God, and one of the most important ways of demonstrating this is through marriage. It says in the wedding service that marriage “enriches society and strengthens community”. Very few couples these days get married in church because of family expectation: they choose to do so because it is important to them to make their vows in the presence of God and to receive his blessing.

Who can get married at Matt’s?

There are many ways of meeting the legal qualification to get married at St Matt’s. If you live within the parish boundaries or you are a member of our congregation, then you automatically qualify to be married at in the Church.

Other legal qualifications for getting married at St Matt’s are if you can show any of the following:

That one of you:

has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
was baptised in the parish concerned or
was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
has at any time regularly gone to Sunday church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
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
That one of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish

If none of this applies to you then remember that you would still automatically qualify to get married at the parish church where you live. You can find the details of that church by entering your postcode in this site: www.achurchnearyou.com; but please rest assured that we will do all that we can to help you establish a qualifying connection so that you can get married here.

What about divorcees and same-sex couples?

Although we believe marriage to be a life-long commitment, we all know that sometimes relationships break down. Along with most Church of England churches, the clergy at St Matt’s are happy to discuss with your remarriage after divorce. Please contact the priest in charge so that we can talk through your circumstances.

We deeply regret that at the moment the Church of England is not allowed by law to solemnize same-sex marriages. However, same-sex couples are very welcome at St Matt's, and we shall endeavour to support you in your relationship through prayer and fellowship. We can certainly arrange a service that recognises and celebrates the commitment of a same-sex relationship.

What about preparation and a rehearsal?

The time before getting married is very important, not just for booking reception venues and honeymoons, but also for thinking about the changes that are going to happen in your life when the day is over and you have put the photographs in an album.

We invite all couples planning their weddings at St Matt’s to meet with the Priest in Charge and with other local couples preparing for their wedding providing a space to talk about some of the shared experiences of getting married. These meeting are designed to be fun and enjoyable. You will also get the opportunity to meet the wedding ‘team’ at the Church so that they can introduce themselves. You will then have a chance to discuss your own plans with the musicians, the vergers, and the flower arrangers.

In the week preceding the wedding there is usually a rehearsal in church for the couple and their immediate friends and family.

What do I need to do next?

If you have read these notes and would like to discuss further the possibility of getting married at St Matt’s, we would be delighted if you would contact the Priest in Charge. When you book your wedding, you will be given a 'wedding pack' from us.

If you have any other queries then please e-mail our Administrator (admin@crumpsallchurch.co.uk) who will be happy to help.

Getting Married at St Matthew’s - Crumpsall

If you are looking at this page, then the chances are that you have recently got engaged to be married – CONGRATULATIONS!

WE LOVE WEDDINGS at St Matt’s, and often couples who have got to know the church as they prepare for their wedding choose to continue as regular members of the congregation.

Below are some notes to help you think about your wedding day.

Why get married in church?

Who can get married at Matt’s?

There are many ways of meeting the legal qualification to get married at St Matt’s. If you live within the parish boundaries or you are a member of our congregation, then you automatically qualify to be married at in the Church.

Other legal qualifications for getting married at St Matt’s are if you can show any of the following:

That one of you:

has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or

was baptised in the parish concerned or

was prepared for confirmation in the parish or

has at any time regularly gone to Sunday church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months

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

That one of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish

What about divorcees and same-sex couples?

What about preparation and a rehearsal?

The time before getting married is very important, not just for booking reception venues and honeymoons, but also for thinking about the changes that are going to happen in your life when the day is over and you have put the photographs in an album.

In the week preceding the wedding there is usually a rehearsal in church for the couple and their immediate friends and family.

What do I need to do next?

If you have read these notes and would like to discuss further the possibility of getting married at St Matt’s, we would be delighted if you would contact the Priest in Charge. When you book your wedding, you will be given a 'wedding pack' from us.

If you have any other queries then please e-mail our Administrator (admin@crumpsallchurch.co.uk) who will be happy to help.

Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being,

look graciously upon the world which you have made

and for which your Son gave his life,

and especially on all whom you make to be one flesh in holy marriage.

May their lives together be a sign of your love to this broken world,

so that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt,

and joy overcome despair; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.