If you are planning your wedding – congratulations on your engagement. We are delighted that you may be considering a church in our Parish for the occasion and hope that you will find the information here helpful.
A Church wedding adds a spiritual dimension to a marriage by providing an expression of worship, reflecting joy, celebration, community and love. For such a special day, our churches offer a beautiful and friendly atmosphere, worshipful ethos, along with an excellent choir. This provides a setting for a memorable wedding service.
You can marry in any of the four churches in the Parish of Rushen:
• Kirk Christ (the Parish Church),
• St Mary’s (Port St. Mary),
• St. Catherine’s (Port Erin),
• St. Peter’s (Cregneish)
Each of the four churches is very different in feel – why not visit each one before making a decision?
Please have a look at our calendar for availability.
Getting Married in the Parish
Firstly, download our Wedding Booklet.
The information in this short booklet has been put together over a number of years based upon questions that couples have asked as they have approached their wedding day. We hope and pray that it will be useful to you as you plan for your big day and your shared lives together.
Next, you need to complete a wedding application form and email it to our Parish Administrator. Should you have any queries in completing the form please do not hesitate to contact us. Only upon receiving confirmation should you consider that your wedding service is booked at the church on the requested date and time. Weddings can be on any day of the week (although not usually on Sundays) but it may not be possible to arrange a choir on weekdays.
The Vicar, Rev. Joe Heaton will then meet with you both to discuss your wedding plans.
A list of hymns and Bible readings appropriate for weddings have been put together in order to help you in your choices for your special day.
Does it matter where we live?
If one or both of you live in the Parish you may get married in any of the churches in the Parish by Banns. This is an old tradition, still legally required, whereby an announcement of your forthcoming marriage is read out in church on three Sundays beforehand.
If neither of you live in the Parish, it may still be possible to get married here by a Qualifying Connection or a Special Licence if you have strong links with the Parish, for example if you have lived here in the past or if your parents live (or lived) in the Parish.
If you worship regularly at one of the churches for at least six months and join the Church Electoral Roll, you may also be married by Banns.
I have been married before. Can I still be married in your church?
That depends! You will need to speak to the Vicar and discuss some of the reasons for the break-up of your previous marriage and why you want to be married in church. However, each year a number of the weddings that we conduct are for people who have previously been married.
How do you help us prepare for our marriage?
We believe that investing time in marriage preparation is the best gift we can offer in helping you prepare for married life beyond the wedding day itself. This will be discussed with you when you book your wedding.
How much will it cost?
Everything that is legally required will cost around £450 but most couples like to choose optional extras such as a choir, heating, etc. which can increase the costs to around £600.
When should we book?
It is best to book the church as soon as you have decided to get married. We currently have bookings up to two years in advance but there are still plenty of spare dates in the calendar. It is important to check with us that the church is available before booking your reception. There is no booking fee but we do ask that you notify us if your plans change.
What next?
Contact our Parish Administrator with any questions you may have, and to discuss a possible wedding date as early as possible. You can telephone her on 01624 832275 or complete the application form.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Rushen Parish 