Marriage / Weddings

Marriage is a Sacrament and integral to the Christian life.

Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, come what may.

The Bible compares married love with the love Jesus has for his followers. He expressed his love by being prepared to sacrifice himself, even to die for the people he loved. This is an amazing, unconditional love. Jesus never said 'I love you, but …'.

In our marriage we can try to follow his model by loving each other in a self-sacrificial way, putting our partner’s needs before our own.

The marriage ceremony gives you a new legal status as husband and wife. Christians believe that marriage offers the right place for the fulfilment of our sexuality and a stable and secure environment for bringing up children.

We are always happy to talk to couples about Christian Marriage. St James' holds to the Church’s traditional teaching on marriage, so we are unable to marry anyone who is divorced and has a partner still alive.

Couples are prepared for marriage by the parish clergy with care and consideration. The Church is always there to help couples throughout their married life, whatever their situation.

To get married at St James', at least one of you must live within the parish boundaries, or be on the electoral role of the parish, having been a regular member of the congregation.

To check if you live in our parish, or to find out which is yours please enter your postcode here: