A happy marriage is a wonderful way of life, and the start of married life together is a really important time. At Emmanuel and St. Mary’s, we not only provide a venue for your wedding and help with the practical details, but also help you to prepare emotionally and spiritually as you take this important step.
If you’d like to discuss booking a wedding at Emmanuel or St. Mary’s, a member of clergy is available in the Church Office (directions available HERE) from 6:30-7pm on Tuesday evenings (during holiday seasons it is best to check in advance if someone will be there). However, we have also included answers to a few frequently asked questions below:
Can I get married at Emmanuel or St Mary’s?
Not everyone is entitled to a wedding at the church they would like – it depends on a number of factors, including whether you attend the church or live in the area served by that particular church. We will try to help in any way we can, whether that means arranging your wedding at Emmanuel or St Mary’s, or putting you in touch with another church or alternative venue. Either way, please come and chat to us and we’ll see how we can help.
How do we book a wedding?
The place to start is for both of you (if at all possible) to come along to the Church Office one Tuesday evening. A member of clergy will then discuss your situation and, if appropriate, agree a date, time and venue. You’ll also be given a booklet with further details, including details of marriage preparation and what happens next. Then about three months before the wedding date, the person taking the service will contact you to discuss practical details (including flowers, music and arranging a rehearsal).
What is ‘marriage preparation’?
We are interested not just in taking a service, but in helping you to build your married life on the best possible foundations. To this end, we wholeheartedly encourage all couples to take part in marriage preparation. This is normally undertaken with other couples getting married around the same time either during the day on a Saturday, or on two weekday evenings. You should automatically receive information about these courses, but please ask for more information if you would like. We also work with other churches across Loughborough in a group called ‘Building Relationships’ to offer a marriage mentoring service. Please ask for more information. Our experience is that couples who undertake either form of marriage preparation feel they greatly benefited from it.
What about printing orders of service?
Orders of Service can be printed, for a small charge, at the Church Office. Alternatively you can arrange to get your own printed. If you opt for the latter, please discuss the proposed Order of Service with the member of clergy taking your wedding before printing.
Can you suggest music and readings?
Suggestions of Bible readings, hymns, songs and wedding marches for entrance and exit are contained in the booklet you’ll be given when the wedding date is booked. It is also possible to include some other suitable readings, such as poems, but please discuss these with the member of clergy taking your wedding before making your final decision.