It's one of the most important days of your life and regardless of whether you attend church regularly or not, the option of a Church Wedding is open to you. We would be honoured and delighted to help make your wedding day truly memorable.
Click here to find out why one-third of all UK marriages are a church wedding
What We Can Offer You
Hundreds of weddings have taken place at St. Johns, Ravenhead and we can help you plan your day, offering advice on readings and hymns should you need it. The first wedding at St. Johns took place on Monday 26 February 1871, but over 140 years of wedding heritage is just one of the things that we can offer to help make your day everything you've always dreamed of.
Here are just some of the many other reasons you may wish to choose to hold your Wedding with us, some of which are unique to a Church Wedding.
- a beautiful 19th century Grade II listed church for your wedding
- your choice of a service spoken in traditional or contemporary English language
- soaring music on our majestic two manual Wadsworth & Bro. pipe organ, built in 1904
- a spectacular backdrop for your wedding photographs and video
- an extra dimension to your wedding, held before man and God making it both legal and spiritual
- experienced guidance to help you plan and experience the wedding of your dreams
- disabled access and space for over 250 guests to ensure all your friends and family can share your day
- free on-site car parking for the convenience of your guests
- a commitment to support you before, during and beyond your wedding ceremony
- a wedding that can combine your preferences with beloved traditions that echo through the centuries
Why not consider holding your Wedding Reception at the St. Johns Centre or appoint us as caterers at your venue? Please contact the Centre Manager, John Ingham on 01744 758991 to discuss your requirements.
Can I Get Married at St. Johns?
There are rules governing in which Church of England parish church engaged couples can marry. To be eligible to marry in St. Johns, you will need to meet just one of the following criteria:
- you are an electoral roll member at St. Johns & Emmanuel Churches
- one of you was Baptised at St. Johns or Emmanuel
- one of you was prepared for confirmation at St. Johns or Emmanuel
- one of you lived in Ravenhead parish for at least six months at any time in your life
- one of you, at any time in your life, has regularly attended a normal church service at St. Johns or Emmanuel for at least six months
- since your birth, at least one of your parents lived in Ravenhead parish for at least six months
- since your birth, at least one of your parents attended a normal church service at St. Johns or Emmanuel for at least six months
- at least one of your parents or grandparents were married at St. Johns or Emmanuel
If you do not meet any of the above criteria, it may still be possible for you to marry at St. Johns. The easiest way is to start regularly attending services at St. Johns or Emmanuel - you will be most welcome. See our Services page to find an appropriate service for you.
If this is not practical and you have a good reason for wanting to marry at St. Johns, please contact us - with an appropriate minister's permission, you may be able to apply for a Special Licence.
Some other rules apply to weddings - click to read more.
How Do I Arrange A Wedding at St. Johns?
Weddings are arranged at Vestry Hour each Thursday at St. Johns, 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Vestry Hour takes place most weeks of the year, but please ring 01744 23601 to confirm the date you wish to attend.
How Much Will It Cost?
A Church of England wedding service can cost less if you do not require extras, such as flowers or an organist. The basic fees are set by Parliament and the Church of England each year and so do not vary from parish to parish.
The local parish church, however, can set it's own fees for a verger and maintainance, for example. For this reason, you should discuss fees with us in the early stages of your planning so that you can get a reasonable idea of the cost of your requirements.
Click Here To View Basic Wedding Fees
Did You Know?
- if the church and Vicar are free, you can marry any day of the week
- you don't have to promise to "obey" in a modern Church of England wedding
- you can discuss with the Vicar to involve your family and friends in the service
- you can decide whether you want to use one ring or two
- in the UK, one third of all weddings take place in church
Where Can I Get More Information On Church Weddings?
A new website from The Church of England, 'Your Church Wedding' is an excellent resource to help you plan your wedding day. It also features an Online Wedding Planner which will help you map out your ceremony, save and print the service.
