CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
The Church of England affirms, according to Jesus's teaching, that Christian Marriage is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman, entered into by mutual and free consent. It is a gift of God in creation, an honourable estate, and a sign to us of the mystical union between Christ and his bride the Church.  This understanding of marriage is reflected in the wording of the Marriage Service.

This webpage contains specific information about Christian Marriage at St Edmund's.  But if you would also like some additional general information on marriage in church, you might also like to click here to visit the Church of England's new website 'Your Church Wedding'.

(NOTE - Because it is a general information website, 'Your Church Wedding' may include information about some options that we cannot offer at St Edmund's.  Wherever you are planning to marry, it is always important to discuss options with your parish clergy before details are finalised.)  

The parish clergy will also be more than happy to offer guidance.

Who may marry where?
In this Country all marriage, wherever contracted, is governed by Law. This sets out who may marry where.

BEFORE 1st OCTOBER 2008
Historically, the Law provided that (broadly speaking) people had a right to marry in the parish church of their parish of residence, or where they worshipped regularly and their name was entered on the church electoral register there.  But not normally any other church.

1st OCTOBER 2008 ONWARDS
Changes to this historic provision in Law were introduced from 1st October 2008, by virtue of the new CHURCH of ENGLAND MARRIAGE MEASURE, which seeks to respond to changing social conditions, especially the increasing mobility of our society today.  The Marriage Measure introduces a number of new “Qualifying Connections” under which a couple may marry in the church of a parish in which they do not live or worship.

The “Qualifying Connections” under the new Measure are as follows:

1.  One of the intending couple:-

(a) was Baptised† in the parish; OR

(b) has been Confirmed†; and the Confirmation is recorded in a church register book of the parish,
     because he or she was prepared for Confirmation in the parish; OR

(c) has at any time lived in the parish, as his or her usual place of residence, for at least 6 months; OR

(d) habitually attended public worship† in the parish for at least 6 months; OR

2.  The parent of one of the intending couple:-

(a) has at any time lived in the parish, as his or her usual place of residence, for at least 6 months
     during the lifetime of his or her child (one of the intending couple); OR

(b) has at any time habitually attended public worship† in the parish for at least 6 months
     during the lifetime of his or her child (one of the intending couple); OR

3. The parent or grandparent of one of the intending couple was married† in the parish.

(† all of these refer to Church of England services.)

Paperwork...

The customary Banns application form will still be the norm for couples applying for marriage in the Church by virtue of the continuing 'historic' qualifications of residence or church electoral roll.

Couples applying for marriage in the Church by virtue of one of the new "Qualifying Connections" under the marriage Measure 2008 will need to complete a new-style application form.  They will also need to supply the necessary evidence to confirm that "Qualifying Connection".

In ALL cases, evidence to confirm the identity of the applicants will be required.

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE and DIVORCE

The question of further marriage in Church of divorced people during the lifetime of a former spouse is a vexed one.

Within a secular society where divorce is, sadly, regarded almost as a norm, it is not an easy pastoral situation for the Church.

The Church has to find a way of balancing the teaching of Christ - that marriage is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman, entered into by mutual and free consent - with its loving concern for those who have tried and failed and honestly want to try again.

At St Edmund’s, Downham Market, the way we would offer this ministry is through the special Service of Prayer and Dedication following a Civil Marriage (often referred to in shorthand as a ‘Service of Blessing’). 

In our experience, couples who have chosen this Service have found it to be a very moving and fitting one.

In this Service the couple, already married according to Law, acting as their own tribunal of conscience bring their union to God in prayer, and the Church prays with them and for them.  - “You stand in the presence of God as man and wife to dedicate to him your life together, that he may consecrate your marriage and empower you to keep the covenant and promise you have solemnly declared” (introduction to the Service).