Describe A Christian Marriage Service

The marriage tends to take place at the couples local church and use the local priest. However in the case of differentiating religions, lack of money or just not wanting the flashy wedding the marriage is generally held in a registry office but on it is also legal to marry in most placers now.

The priest more often than not will have a meeting with the happy couple and have a general discussion with them about their happiness about the marriage. This is because the priest wants to be sure that the couple are totally in love as otherwise he will not agree to marry the pair. Also the bride will be asked by the priest if she wants "to obey" in her vows as it is now not necessary .He will also tell them if confetti is allowed as it causes a great deal of mess and has to be cleaned up.

After the ceremony there usually is a party, which also needs to be organised. The couple need to choose bridesmaids, best man (whom is responsible for the rings) maid of honour who looks after the bridesmaid and the Paige boys.

The brides dress is predominantly white to resemble purity of a virgin. The groom habitually wears a black suit to look smart. However nowadays it matters very little what is worn but people tend to keep to the traditional dress code.

With the wedding looming there is at least 1 dress rehearsal, which involves the people whom are concerned such as the bride & groom, bridesmaids, best man ect.

On the evening before the wedding the men have what is called a "stag night" and women have a "hen night" to celebrate their last night of freedom. This is a modern affair, which has become more accepted and in some cases is expected.

On the day of the wedding, nerves are high as all the planning is now hopefully worthwhile. And there are even sometimes second thoughts.

The bride gets changed at her home with the help of the maid of honour and the bridesmaids. Then the extravagant and expensive car arrives (it is their wedding after all) and heads towards the church.

The best man Sheppard's the congregation into the church with the brooms family and friends on one side and the brides on the other. The priest stands at one end of the church where he is joined by the groom and best man. Once the bride arrives her father walks her to the altar followed by the maid of honour and the bridesmaid to a song played on the organ that is chosen at the meeting between the couple and the priest. The father then leaves his daughter who joins her soon to be husband in front of the priest.

The priest then reads out the vows. He will then ask if "anybody knows any reason why this couple cannot get married" if people hold their silence then the wedding goes ahead but if there is a legal reason why they cant then the wedding is suspended.

Once the wedding is finished the married couple must sign a document saying they are married. Once the ceremony is finished everyone exits the church andgoes to the planned party.

By Owen Taylor