Getting Married at Melksham Church

Congratulations!

We are delighted that you are considering getting married in one of our churches.

A church wedding is a wonderful and sacred occasion: making lifelong promises before God, surrounded by family and friends, in a place where generations have celebrated life’s biggest moments.

Whether church is already part of your life, or this is all very new, we would love to help you prepare for your wedding and for your marriage.

The Journey Towards Your Wedding

1. Get in touch

Contact us to enquire about a date and discuss your plans.

2. Complete the Marriage Application Form

When you are ready, please complete our online form.

This gives us the information we need to begin the legal and pastoral process.

3. Meet with one of the clergy

We’ll arrange a meeting to:

  • get to know you

  • talk through the service

  • explain the legal requirements

  • answer your questions

  • help you prepare for marriage

4. Banns and legal preliminaries

Most Church of England weddings take place after the calling of banns. We’ll guide you through everything required.

All couples are required by law to provide proof of identity and nationality.

5. Plan your service

You’ll be able to choose:

  • hymns and music

  • Bible readings

  • prayers

  • vows

  • who will be involved in the service

6. Rehearsal

Usually held during the week before the wedding.

7. Your Wedding Day!

The joyful bit 🎉

Church Weddings and Faith

A church wedding is more than simply hiring a beautiful building.

Marriage is one of God’s gifts to us: a lifelong commitment of love, faithfulness, forgiveness, joy and companionship.

Whether you would describe yourselves as people of strong faith, uncertain faith, or no faith at all, you are very welcome here.

We hope that preparing for your wedding will also be an opportunity to explore deeper questions about life, love and God.

We’d Love to Welcome You on a Sunday

Many couples choose to come along to church before their wedding.

It’s a lovely way to:

  • get to know the church

  • meet people

  • become familiar with the space

  • feel more relaxed on the day itself

You would be very welcome.

Service times can be found at:

https://www.melksham.church

Fees

Church of England wedding fees are set nationally each year and include:

  • the legal marriage service

  • the publication of banns

  • the marriage documentation

Current national fees can be viewed here:

Additional local costs may apply depending on your choices, including:

  • organist

  • bells

  • heating

  • verger

  • printed orders of service

We will always explain fees clearly before anything is confirmed.

Music, Readings and Bells

You are welcome to personalise your service thoughtfully and appropriately.

Many couples choose:

  • favourite hymns

  • meaningful Bible readings

  • family members or friends to read or lead prayers

  • organ music

  • bell ringing at St Michael’s

We are happy to help guide you through the options.

You may also find it helpful to visit the Your Church Wedding website, which explains more about church weddings, readings, music, vows, and the legal side of things.

Photography & Confetti

Photographs are very welcome.

We simply ask photographers to work sensitively during the service.

Please also encourage guests to use environmentally friendly confetti outside the church.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13