Getting Married in Rusper Church

Countless couples have made their vows and had their marriages blessed in St Mary Magdalene’s Church since at least the 1200s. Recent changes in marriage law have unfortunately not been imaginative enough in helping couples to marry in a church of their choice, but at Rusper we are committed to encouraging couples to make this important beginning to their married life on holy ground in God’s house. The Civil Law still requires one of those marrying to be resident in the parish. For this purpose it is important to know that the ancient parish and the newer local authority parish boundaries are not exactly the same. Please do check that where you live is in the parish.

For those wishing to marry from outside the parish there are other options:

There is a welcome for a couple prepared to undertake the legal preliminaries at a Registry Office before having a celebration of their marriage in church. Such celebrations incorporate the traditional elements of the wedding service, excluding the registration. This pattern of marrying in two stages mirrors the practice in most other European countries as well as the oldest English tradition where the pair were legally contracted in marriage at the porch before entering church, to be prayed for.

Those who do not live in the parish but have regularly attended church for a period of at least six months, may apply to join the electoral roll, membership of which confers the legal rights of a resident. Many couples who follow this path to marriage find that familiarity with the church and the minister gives an added depth to their appreciation of the day of their wedding. Quite a number find that coming or coming back to regular worship at this time in their lives is an enriching spiritual experience, and the church community is greatly blessed by their involvement, which in many cases extends beyond the day of their wedding.

Previously married with a former partner still living?

In recent years the Church of England has granted to individual parishes and their clergy discretion in regard to remarrying in church after a divorce. The breakdown of a marriage is something which no church takes lightly, but here at Rusper we feel it is first and foremost important to express Christ’s forgiveness and hope for us even in our worst failures. Circumstances vary and if the relationship between a couple currently seeking marriage in church was not a factor in the breakdown of a previous marriage such a request can be considered. Those who are marrying for a second time are asked to undertake a course of preparation under professional and caring guidance.

Please contact Nick Flint 01293 871251 with any questions or to discuss further your wedding plans.