Weddings
Marriage is a gift of God, through which husband and wife may grow together in the knowledge, love and service of God.
From the Introduction to the Church in Wales Marriage Service (2010)
It is given that, united with one another in heart, in mind and in body, they may increase in love and trust.
Congratulations on your engagement! We know that you’ll have lots to think about and many questions. We are here to help. We have included some information below to get you started, if you have any other questions or want to book a date please get in touch.
Preparing to get married
We want to work with you to help make your wedding day as special possible. In discussion with the Vicar you’ll be able to book a date and then will start to discuss your wedding. He will be very happy to help with planning and will also be able to advise about music, hymns, readings etc. We’ll also send you a copy of the wedding service so that you can see what the service looks like.
Whilst we want to ensure your wedding is a day you’ll never forget, we also want to ensure we give you the best possible start to married life. With this in mind you’ll also meet with the Vicar for some marriage prep, helping you to ensure that you’re on the best possible start.
You’ll usually meet with the vicar a number of times in making preparations and in the marriage prep. Which means he’ll get to know you both as a couple and is able to make the day more personal, and it also means you get to know him, meaning it’s no longer a stranger marrying you.
The evening before your wedding (or the evening before that) there’s a rehearsal of the service. This is so that you can walk through exactly what will happen on the day and ask any last minute questions.
Legalities
Before you can marry in a particular church the law requires that one or both of you must have a legal ‘qualifying connection’. A qualifying connection means that at least one of the below is true:
You are living in the Local Ministry Area
One or both of you live within the Roose LMA, this is much larger than Hubberston itself and includes the towns and villages of Burton, Dale, Freystrop, Hakin, Haroldston West, Herbrandston, Johnston, Llangwm, Llanstadwell, Marloes, Milford Haven, Neyland, Robeston West, Rosemarket, St Bride’s, St Ishmael, Steynton, Talbenny, Walton West, Walwyn’s Castle and their surrounding areas.
If you’re not sure if you live within the area get in touch and we’ll be able to advise.
You are a regular worshipper
One or both of you have been worshiping regularly for at least 6 months either with us or with one of the churches in the wider LMA in Burton, Dale, Freystrop, Hakin, Haroldston West, Herbrandston, Hubberston, Johnston, Llangwm, Llanstadwell, Marloes, Milford Haven, Neyland, Robeston West, Rosemarket, St Bride’s, St Ishmael, Steynton, Talbenny, Walton West and Walwyn’s Castle.
You were Baptised (Christened) or Confirmed in the Local Ministry Area
One or both of you were Christened as a child or Confirmed in one of the churches in the LMA. These are the churches in Burton, Dale, Freystrop, Hakin, Haroldston West, Herbrandston, Hubberston, Johnston, Llangwm, Llanstadwell, Marloes, Milford Haven, Neyland, Robeston West, Rosemarket, St Bride’s, St Ishmael, Steynton, Talbenny, Walton West and Walwyn’s Castle.
You or a parent formally lived for at least 6 months within the Local Ministry Area
One or both of you or one of your parents lived within the LMA, this includes the towns and villages of Burton, Dale, Freystrop, Hakin, Haroldston West, Herbrandston, Hubberston, Johnston, Llangwm, Llanstadwell, Marloes, Milford Haven, Neyland, Robeston West, Rosemarket, St Bride’s, St Ishmael, Steynton, Talbenny, Walton West and Walwyn’s Castle and their surrounding areas.
You or a parent formerly habitually attended worship in the Local Ministry Area for at least six months
One or both of you or one of your parents previously worshiped regularly for at least 6 months either with us or with one of the churches in the wider LMA in Burton, Dale, Freystrop, Hakin, Haroldston West, Herbrandston, Hubberston, Johnston, Llangwm, Llanstadwell, Marloes, Milford Haven, Neyland, Robeston West, Rosemarket, St Bride’s, St Ishmael, Steynton, Talbenny, Walton West and Walwyn’s Castle.
A parent or grandparent had been married in the Local Ministry Area
One of your parents or grandparents were married either at St David’s or in one of the churches in Burton, Dale, Freystrop, Hakin, Haroldston West, Herbrandston, Hubberston, Johnston, Llangwm, Llanstadwell, Marloes, Milford Haven, Neyland, Robeston West, Rosemarket, St Bride’s, St Ishmael, Steynton, Talbenny, Walton West and Walwyn’s Castle.
Banns
Before your marriage can take place, the “Banns” will need to be called in the Ministry Area church. These are announcements made 3 Sundays in a row that you intend to marry to provide an opportunity to provide a legal reason why you cannot marry (don’t worry, we haven’t had an objection yet).
Banns are called during our 11am Sunday Worship usually on the first three Sundays of the month before your wedding day. E.g. if you’re getting married in August we’d call banns the first 3 Sundays of July. You don’t have to be present to hear your Banns read but you may enjoy joining us and hearing your news shared at the service.
If one of you lives in another parish (outside the Local Ministry Area) you will need to arrange for Banns to be called there too. It will be your responsibility to speak to the local vicar to arrange the “Banns” to be called there. If you’re not sure where your local Anglican Church is you can check by searching your postcode at one of the links below.
Not everyone is legally entitled to be married by “Banns”. Under such circumstances a common licence or registrar’s certificate will be required. Further advice on this will be given at the time of booking your wedding.
One or both of us is Divorced
The Church in Wales allows for those who have been divorced to marry in church under certain circumstances. The Vicar will be very happy to advise you, confidentially.
Blessing of a Marriage / Renewal of vows
It may be that you have been/are getting married elsewhere in a Civil Ceremony but want your marriage blessed in church.
Or perhaps you’ve been married for a while and want to renew your vows.
We are very happy to do this in a slightly different service which can either take place as part of a normal Sunday Service or on a separate occasion, please contact us to see what is possible.
Setting the Date
Please make sure that the church is available for your marriage and you have a legal right to be married at St David’s before you make other arrangements to avoid disappointment.
If you’re interested in arranging a wedding with us or have more questions please get in touch.