We love doing weddings at All Saints Rayne:

we love seeing this ancient building full of life and colour and joy as friends and family gather to celebrate with the couple.

Most importantly, I believe, God loves weddings: God loves it when a couple make those promises to take each other as wife/husband ‘to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part’. Lifelong, faithful, exclusive commitment and love being a good basis for human flourishing.

And did you know that it is now much easier to get married in ‘your’ church?

The Church of England loves to say ‘yes’ to couples who want to get married in church.

     A couple can marry in All Saints Rayne if 

     (1) one of them lives in the parish or

    (2) one of them is on the electoral roll or                                                                                Photographs supplied by JeffTurnbull.com

     (3) one of them has at any time lived in the parish for at least 6 months or

    (4) has regularly worshipped in Rayne church for at least 6 months

    (5) was baptised in Rayne church or

    (6) was prepared for confirmation in Rayne church or

    (7) one of their parents, at any time after they were born, has lived     in the parish for at least 6 months or

    (8) one of the parents, at any time after they were born, has at any time regularly worshipped at

          Rayne church for at least 6 months or

 

    (9) one of their parents or grandparents was married in Rayne church.

 

 Let me be clear: you only have to meet one of those conditions to get married in Rayne church!

 Sometimes, a couple wish to get married in church, and one or both of them has been married before and the former partner is still living. I am very happy to explore with such a couple the possibility of getting married in church. The above ‘conditions’ still apply, and in addition the couple will need to be willing to discuss with me the reasons for the breakdown of the previous marriage, and any unresolved issues. The final decision as to a church wedding in such situations lies with me as parish priest. I’m glad to say that I usually find it possible and desirable to say ‘yes’. So, if you know any couples who are getting engaged and begining to plan a wedding, don’t forget to remind them of the wonderful opportunity they have to get married in All Saints Rayne. Further information about church weddings can be found on the website www.yourchurchwedding.org . And I look forward to lots of wonderful weddings in Rayne Church over the coming years.