What should I do first to arrange a wedding in Ruabon Parish Church or Pen-y-lan Church?

o   Talk to the vicar.  The vicar can be contacted on 01978 810176.  The enquiry should come from the couple not someone acting on their behalf.  You should do this before establishing dates or booking reception venues.  The vicar has considerable experience of weddings and may be able to advise you on far more than the marriage service in church.

• Where can I be married?  Could I choose any church?

o   If both parties to be married are over 18 years of age, both are British citizens, neither has been married before, and one party is resident in Ruabon parish, you have a right to be married in Ruabon Parish Church or All Saints’ Church, Pen-y-lan, although the date and time will need to be worked out in consultation with the vicar.  Saturday weddings are usually arranged at 11am, 1pm or 3pm.

o   If you want to get married in Ruabon or Pen-y-lan but neither of you resides there nor is a regular worshipper, you will need to talk to the vicar.  Couples can apply for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Special Licence, if one of them has a genuine and long-standing connection with the Church in which they wish to marry.  To apply or find out more contact The Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JT  Tel: 020 7222 5381.

o   If you are a regular worshipper in Ruabon or Pen-y-lan but live somewhere else, it is usually possible to be married there.  If you are not a regular worshipper, why not start attending?  You will normally be expected to attend services for at least six months before becoming eligible to be married in a church other than your parish church.

• Could I be married in church even if I don’t go to church?

o   Yes!  However, remember that the wedding ceremony in church has a distinctively Christian character and assumes that you accept the Christian understanding of marriage.

• Do I need to be baptised?

o   Baptism is the normal rite through which a person becomes a Christian.  The church hopes that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be baptised but it is not a pre-condition for marriage in the Church in Wales.

• Can a divorced person have a church wedding?

o   Marriage is for life, but it is a sad fact that some marriages do fail. There are some circumstances in which a divorced person may marry again in church. If you are considering
a church wedding and have been divorced, you should discuss this with the vicar.

o   The Church in Wales believes that God not only loves us, but he promises he will always love us. Marriage is meant to be a reflection of that and is based on promises between a man and a woman - of lifelong commitment in love and faithfulness.

o   Whilst passionately believing in this kind of relationship the Church in Wales also realises that marriages do break down and does offer the possibility of a second marriage in church under certain circumstances and at the discretion of the vicar.

• When may we marry?

o   The day and time of the service is decided in consultation with the vicar. It must be between 8am and 6pm and not clash with other Church services. For example,  if you wanted to marry on a Sunday, it would have to be at a time other than the normal Sunday services and when the vicar is available.  There are no weddings during Holy Week, the church season covering the week before Easter.  Weddings in the week before and after Christmas are only possible in special circumstances.

o   Have you considered a day other than Saturday?  It often reduces costs at the reception venue.  Easter Monday and May Day Bank Holidays are worth considering.

• How much will it cost?

o   The fees for a marriage cover the publication of the banns, the marriage service, a certificate of marriage, the use of the church building and the advice and support of the vicar throughout the preparations.  In January 2009, the basic fees in Ruabon and Pen-y-lan churches were £420.  There are additional fees for the organist (£50),  choir (Ruabon £120), and
bell-ringers (Ruabon £80).

·         Can we have a video recording of the service?

o   You will need to ask permission from the vicar.  There will be a charge (January 2010 - £50), but remember your video is likely to include the performances of the choir, organist, and bell ringers who are entitled to payment.  The videographer will need a special licence for recording a marriage service in church.  Copyright issues also arise: for further information, go to http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/downloads/litcopy.rtf

·         What if one of us is a foreign national?

o   If one of the parties is a national of a country outside Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the EU or USA, it would be wise to obtain from the relevant embassy or consulate a letter saying that the marriage will be recognised there. The marriage should be by Common Licence and not by banns.

• What are banns?

o   Banns are the usual legal preliminary to a church wedding. They are an announcement of your intention to marry and an opportunity for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place.  Banns are read out in the main Sunday service in the parish where each of you lives as well as the church in which you are to be married, if that is in another parish on three Sundays during the twelve weeks before the wedding.

• Why do we need marriage preparation?

o   Most marriages are entered into confidently, assuming that they will last, but a very high proportion end in the tragedy of separation and divorce.  Your marriage may have to last many years until death parts you, so it makes sense, however well you know one another, to think through your future relationship as man and wife.  The vicar offers an open invitation as an experienced and neutral third party to talk about some of the issues which can arise.

• Will there be a rehearsal for the ceremony?

o   The vicar will want to run through the service with you and others who are taking part so that everyone knows what to expect, usually in church during the few days before the service.

• Is it possible to have a church blessing after being married abroad or by Civil Ceremony?

o   Yes. Ask your vicar about this. There are no legal preliminaries necessary.

• What if one of us lives abroad?

o   Banns are not possible in these circumstances, so a Common Licence will be required.  The vicar will help you to apply for this.

• Can we renew our vows?

o   Many couple like to come back to church to renew their vows after a number of years.  The vicar will design the service to meet your needs.

• Can we be involved in planning the service?

o   Yes.  The minister will discuss with you the arrangements for the service and help you decide on appropriate music and readings.  Some parts of the marriage service are set in law and cannot be changed but there is considerable scope for personalisation of the service.  It is better to have the discussion first and work in partnership rather than trawl the internet 
You may wish to involve family or friends in the service: e.g. in doing a reading or playing a musical instrument.

o   The usual Bible readings are: