Weddings

Thinking about getting married?

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Christ Church Ainsworth is a picturesque village church and has been a popular location for weddings for many generations.

Despite the emergence of alternative venues in recent years, many couples still prefer to begin married life by making their vows before God in the traditional setting of their local parish church. The fact is, getting married in church introduces an important spiritual dimension that is absent from secular venues. During a Christian wedding a man and a woman receive God's blessing and make the sincere and binding promise of a life-long commitment to one another in the presence of God and in front of witnesses.

Who can marry at Christ Church?

Sadly some couples discount the possibility of a church wedding because they feel they might not be eligible. In reality, whether or not you are baptised and whether or not you attend church, you are more than welcome to marry at Christ Church.

Of course, restrictions imposed by the law mean that it is not always possible for us to marry everyone who would like to hold their wedding at Christ Church. Nonetheless, the law is less restrictve than you might think.

Essentially it is possible to get married at Christ Church if one or both of you:

• lives in the parish or at any time has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months (a map of the parish can be found here);
• has a parent who at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months during your lifetime;
• is on our church electoral roll;
• has at any time habitually attended normal church services at Christ Church* for a period of at least 6 months;
• has a parent who at any time has habitually attended normal church services at Christ Church* for a period of at least 6 months;
• was baptised at Christ Church*;
• was prepared for confirmation through Christ Church*;
• has a parent or grandparent who was married at Christ Church.

[*This also includes our former mission church of St Oswald's.]

Even if none of the above apply, it may still be possible to marry at Christ Church. To discuss further, phone 01204 398567.

Marriage after divorce

The Church of England teaches that marriage is created by God to be a lifelong relationship between a man and woman. The Church therefore expects all couples seeking marriage to intend to live together "for better for worse....till death us do part".

The Church also recognises that, sadly, some marriages fail and there are circumstances in which it is approriate for a divorcee to be married in church during the lifetime of a former spouse.

There is no bar to divorcees marrying at Christ Church. However, each situation is different and, before agreeing to conduct a wedding in those circumstances, it will be necessary for us to consider (in confidence) whether it would be appropriate to do so. To discuss further, phone 01204 398567.

If it is not possible for you to marry at Christ Church, it might still be possible for us to bless your marriage following a civil ceremony.

How much will it cost?

You could marry at Christ Church for as little as £505 (the statutory fees for 2023). However, if the optional cost of the organist is added then the cost can rise to £565

Further Information

Click on this banner for further information about getting married in the Church of England.

What's the next step?

Contact us on 01204 398567 or, if you complete the enquiry form below, we will contact you.