3) A full re-run of the marriage service complete with organist, the lot. I’ve done a guide to help you plan this if you wish, though we are more than happy to work it through with you. I’ve put the full text of a typical service here. But you can have what you want within reason, (there are rules we have to stay within but they are not too restrictive)

But we can adapt the service to your needs so please talk to us. Over the years we’ve been just the couple and me, we’ve had 120 descendents and friends for a 60^th anniversary, we’ve done the white wedding a wartime bride had always dreamed of and never had, we’ve sat in quiet with someone at the end of their life, we’ve christened three children and renewed their parent’s vows all in one go, etc., etc.

Who can renew their vows at St Peter’s?

Answer: YOU!

You can renew your vows, have your marriage blessed, etc.,
at St Peter’s if:

You’re married.

So come and see us. Or contact us

A phone call to the office will get your date and time booked for the full works.

For a simple ceremony, ring blessings, etc., just call one of the clergy.
After that all is easy!

Please note:

If the blessing is of a marriage after a civil ceremony and either of you have been divorced then we will need to ask you a few questions before agreeing.

We are not allowed to conduct blessings of civil partnerships. We suggest contacting one of the “free” churches, such as the Quakers or Unitarians but the best route is through the recommendation of friends.

linda brown piccy colour

Why St Peter’s?

· Beautiful, traditional setting

· Can seat up to 120

· Village Hall available for Receptions

· Accessible to wheelchairs

· Large Car Park

· Support from the clergy (and congregation if you come along beforehand) – we will not only help you design the perfect ceremony but also offer an optional marriage preparation course (“great fun but very thought provoking” is typical of the feedback we get) which you are welcome to join (and to add your wisdom to those preparing for marriage.)

Before you decide, take a look at the other churches in the parish. Or check the Resources page for churches outside our parish.

What will it cost?

This rather depends on what you want to do. Options are:

A quiet ceremony after or as part of a service with just close family.
Free. £0. Nothing.

A small ceremony in our beautiful chapel (holds 12 seated or up to 20 standing.) No music but otherwise very adaptable. £100 all in for summer, £150 for winter (it costs us £50 to fire up the boiler!).

A re-run of the wedding with hymns, the lot: £300 all in. The ceremony, the building, organist, tang and donk the bells (OK, you’ll probably have to get your guests to ring them.) Flowers, Choir and video license are the only optional extras. Love of God is free and always has been.

St Peter’s Wedding Fayre

is the page for businesses with whom we have worked on weddings. Look here for gifts, photographers, florists, receptions, etc.

Pens from Bredhurst wood, horse drawn carriages, chocolate fountains are all here!

A pen from our workshop
Perfect present for a
bridesmaid

The chapel is ideal for small ceremonies

A Marriage Blessing

This is the text of an actual blessing but it is unique – every one is different.

Isolde reads a poem

Welcome

HYMN Autumn Days

In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have come together to give thanks for the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, to pray for God’s blessing on them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love. Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his bride, the Church.

The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of love and joyful commitment to the end of their lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love.

Marriage is a way of life made holy by God, and blessed by the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with those celebrating a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. It enriches society and strengthens community. No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God. Juliet and Romeo have come to celebrate their sharing of this way of life.

So we pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, that they may continue to fulfil God’s purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.

The minister says to Romeo

Romeo, you have taken Juliet to be your wife. Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

He answers I will.

The minister says to Juliet

Juliet, you have taken Romeo to be your husband. Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers I will.

The minister says to the congregation

Will you, the family and friends of Romeo and Juliet and Romeo support, uphold and pray for them in their marriage now and in the years to come? All We will.

Couple sit

Reading,

Address:

The minister says to the couple
Romeo and Juliet, I now invite you to renew your vows, in the presence of God and his people.

Romeo takes Juliet’s right hand in his, and repeats:
I, Romeo, have taken you, Juliet, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward;
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,
till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I renew this vow.

They loose hands. Juliet takes Romeo’s right hand in hers, and repeats:
I, Juliet, have taken you, Romeo, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward;
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,
till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I renew this vow.

Romeo takes Juliet’s left hand, holds the ring and repeats:
Juliet, I gave you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God, / Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Juliet takes Romeo’s left hand, holds the ring and repeats:
Romeo, I gave you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God, / Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Couple kneel on chancel step or altar step. Quiet words of blessing (when Graham thinks of them!) then:

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully grant you the riches of his grace, that you may please him both in body and soul, and, continuing your life together in faith and love, may receive the blessings of eternal life. Amen.

Couple stand The Minister holds their hands together and says:
Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.
You may as they say kiss the bride

Prayers including Lord’s Prayer.

Love is patient; love is kind. All: Keep us in that love

Love does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud. All: Keep us in that love

Love is not rude; it is not self-seeking. All: Keep us in that love

Love is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. All: Keep us in that love

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. All: Keep us in that love

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

All: Keep Romeo and Juliet in the love that never fails. Amen

Signing of the guest book. MUSIC

Stand for Blessing.
May the God of truth lead you into all truth,
May the God of peace surround you with his peace,
May the God of love fill you with his love,
May the God of life bring you to eternal life
And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit be amongst you
and remain with each of you this day and for evermore.

Procession MUSIC

Guest book to back for all to sign later. Photies, etc.

Quick Links

Home Accessibility Bredhurst School Chapel

Christenings Contact Us Directions Funerals

History and Guide Letter from Kondoa Marriages Notices

Pictures Registers Renewal of Vows Resources

Sunday Services Village Hall Weddings Wedding Fayre

Gramps’ Garden Railway Dusty Desert Dweller Blog Curate’s Blog Mother’s Book

Parish of South Gillingham

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SOUTH GILLINGHAM

Registered Charity Number: 1130544

The Parish Office, St Matthew’s Church, Drewery Drive, Wigmore, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0NX

What happens in a Blessing Service?

1) Some prayers during or after a service: Just ask the curate. I’d suggest you come along to a few services first so you feel at home.

2) A quiet ceremony with family and a few friends in the chapel: We can do anything you like but usually we say a few prayers, go through your vows and have a reading.