Can I get married at St Mary's?

We are delighted that you wish to be married at St Mary’s Church Shirehampton. There are now new rules that apply if you wish to be married here.
To be eligible one of you must:
be resident in the parish
OR
be a regular worshipper at St Mary’s, evidenced by membership of our electoral roll
OR
have a qualifying connection. These are that one of you:
. was baptised in the parish
. had their confirmation recorded in a Register belonging to the parish
. has, at any time, lived in the parish for at least 6 months
. has, at any time, been to services at the church for at least 6 months
. has parents who lived in the parish or attended services for at least 6 months
. has a parent or grandparent who was married at St Mary's
If you are unsure whether you qualify please contact the Vicar, Rev Canon Christine Froude for guidance on 0117 9855450.

Why a church wedding?

A wedding is one of life’s great moments, a time of solemn promises and commitment as well as good wishes,gifts and celebration. Marriage is intended by God to be a very special relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians marriage is also an invitation to share a life of faith together. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long promise between a man and a women, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses. Here at St. Mary’s we are committed to making your wedding day and marriage as special to you as it is to God. We have both a beautiful building and expertise in planning your service.
For further information please contact our vicar, the Reverend Canon Christine Froude.
8 Priory Gardens
Shirehampton
Bristol BS11 0BZ
Telephone 0117 9855450

Booking your wedding

Contact the Vicar, Rev Canon Christine Froude on 0117 9855450 to discuss your chosen date. She will send you a banns form and on completion and return of this which should be as soon as possible with your booking fee of £25, the date is booked for you. If you or your partner are resident in another parish you must arrange for your banns to be called there and the banns certificate given to Rev Canon Christine Froude before the wedding date.

We can help in many different ways

You will be invited to a Marriage Preparation Evening in the January of the year in which your wedding is to take place.
At this you will have an opportuntity to talk to:
The Organist, Tim Forder - to discuss your music and hymns
Jill Eynon - to discuss flowers in church
Julie Smith - to discuss your bible reading
Gill Sawyer - to discuss Orders of Service and other wedding stationery requirements - we can produce a range of wedding stationery for you. If you want to discuss this prior to the evening ring Gill Sawyer on 0117 9077026.
David Froude - regarding your banns form
The clergy regarding the service itself and to answer any other questions you may have.

Like to know more about church weddings? Look at this website www.yourchurchwedding.org
just click below.

Click for more information

I've been married some time now and would like to renew my vows. What should I do?

Contact the Vicar, Rev Canon Christine Froude on 0117 9855450 to discuss the date and time and any other requirements. Think about whether you want music, hymns, a reading. Think also about how many people you might want to come along.
It doesn't matter whether you have been married for one year or 60 years your marriage can still be blessed.
In the picture Tim & Doreen are having their marriage blessed on their golden wedding anniversary

We had the wedding of

Claire Robinson & Steven Ayres. Here's the lovely bridesmaids

And ...

Here's Claire arriving with her dad? Doesn't she look lovely

Claire and her Dad

 make their way down the aisle

Its time for Claire & Steve to make their vows

to love and to care for one another

Marriage taken place

Claire & Steve sign the register

Then pose for photos ...

We wish Claire & Steve every blessing for the future.

What a very special day it was ...

We pray Claire & Steve will always be as happy together as they were today.