Getting married at St Mary Magdalene is personal, meaningful, spiritual and beautiful – just as you want your wedding to be. A church is so much more than simply a venue for your wedding. We are here for you as you prepare to be married, on the day itself, and after your wedding, to support you throughout your life and marriage together.
Our beautiful church building on Hollybush Lane provides a historic and sacred backdrop for your vows. Find directions and see our location on the Find Us page.
Love is patient, Love is kind…it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres
1 Corinthians 13: 4,7.
The marriage service can blend ancient tradition and modern experiences and expressions to reflect your story as a couple. Every wedding is unique, and our priest, Emma Hopegood Jones, will take time to get to know you and help you plan a service which is personal, memorable, meaningful and beautiful. A Church of England wedding ceremony offers a unique blend of sacred promises and personal touches.
A church wedding adds a spiritual dimension to your marriage – at the heart of the service is the love that you share together, and the love that God has for you. God’s blessing is the main attraction for many couples, whatever their beliefs.
In a church wedding you will make ancient vows, or promises. You can only make vows this big in a church. They will help you to stay together and grow together. God, and your church community at St Mary Magdalene are here to help you keep your vows. Find out more about our community on the Church Life page.
Couples have been married here at St Mary Magdalene for almost 140 years. When you marry in church, you will become part of the history of this place – perhaps marrying in the same church as your family members, or where you were christened. We know these sorts of connections can make your day even more special.
For some people, getting married in church just seems like the proper place to get married. There is an atmosphere in church which is peaceful and serene; the centuries of prayer have soaked into the very fabric of the building. You might also consider our Parish Centre or Upper Hall for related gatherings or preparations, conveniently located nearby.
May their marriage be life-giving and life-long, enriched by your presence and strengthened by your grace; may they bring comfort and confidence to each other in faithfulness and trust. – from the marriage service
Unless you have a special licence, you will usually need to have your Banns of Marriage read before your wedding day. This is a legal requirement and a lovely tradition announcing your intention to marry. You can find details on how this works, especially if you live outside the parish, on our Banns of Marriage page.
Currently, the law prevents ministers of the Church of England from carrying out same-sex marriages. We rejoice that the Church of England has recently commended special prayers and readings of thanksgiving, dedication and asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples.
Bishop Helen Ann Hartley, who chaired the group writing these prayers said “The Prayers of Love and Faith are resources to pray with and for a same-sex couple who are committed to one another in faithfulness and love. They are intended to enable those who wish to give thanks for and joyfully mark that commitment before God and their community of faith.”
These prayers can be used in regular scheduled services, such as a Sunday morning Eucharist. You will always find a warm welcome at any of our services, and we would love to discuss the possibility of praying for you with these special prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and blessing.
The possibility of holding stand-alone services is still being discussed by General Synod, and we continue to pray for the ongoing conversations
Please get in touch if you would like to find out more.
To find out more about getting married at St Mary Magdalene, Welwyn Garden City, or to enquire about having your banns of marriage read if you live in our parish but are planning to get married in a different church, please use our Contact Us page or email bookings@st-mary-magdalene.org.uk.
The Church of England ‘Your Church Wedding’ website has lots of really helpful information about getting married in church, including frequently asked questions, and ideas for readings and music for your service.
Celebrating weddings is a joyful part of our ministry here in Welwyn Garden City. Like all our work, including supporting families through christenings and funerals, and maintaining our beautiful church and Parish Centre, we rely on generosity. If you'd like to support the ongoing work of St Mary Magdalene, you can find out more on our Donations page.
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