Wedding Enquiries
Many congratulations on your engagement!
We are delighted that you are exploring getting married in the Parish of Upper Stour! Each wedding is individual, so we look forward to working with you in this process. We have a range of weddings both grand and intimate; all weddings are special and we feel privileged that we can join you on this journey. In the Parish of Upper Stour, if you have a link to the parish, or wish to start a link with us (see below), you have the unusual privilege of choosing one of four of our churches, all of which offer a very meaningful setting for the beginning of your marriage.
If you would like to get married in any of our four churches please don’t hesitate to be in touch (Click here).
We wish you God’s richest blessing as you embark on this new stage of your lives, and we assure you of our prayers.
Where can I get married?
Our four churches, St Peter’s Stourton, St Mary’s Kilmington, St George’s Bourton and St Martin’s Zeals range from being built 1291 to 1846 and so all of them have had the privilege of seeing the beginning of so many married couples!
In the Church of England, lots of people marry in their own local church, but you might like to marry in a different church because it has special significance for you through family or other connections.
A bride and groom-to-be can marry in a Church of England Church if either of them can show just one of the Qualifying Connections shown below.
Many of our couples who don’t live in the parish or don’t have an existing connection come to worship with us regularly (once a month) on a Sunday for 6 months in order to establish a connection – you would be most welcome!
Qualifying Connection
To marry in one one of our Church of England Churches you need to have a Qualifying Connection to the Parish of Upper Stour (Bourton, Kilmington, Stourton and Zeals). A connection includes one of the following:
One of you:
- lives in the parish (to check this please click here)
- is on the church’s electoral roll
- has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months
- has habitually attended normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
- was baptised in the parish or
- was prepared for confirmation in the parish
One of your parents; at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months
- has at any time habitually attended normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
One of your parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish
Or, you have been granted a Special Licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury
How do we go about booking our day?
Firstly please do get in touch (Click here). You will then be asked to fill in this form (Click Here). Once we have received this form and established a qualifying connection (see above) we can then look into booking a date and planning your day!
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