Marriage
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13
Congratulations on your engagement. We pray for God’s blessing on you both as you prepare, not only for your wedding day but your marriage to one another. We are delighted that you are considering having your wedding at our church or involving our minister.
On this page you will find details about how to arrange a wedding at either Trinity Church or Skene Kirk and information on what you need to prepare for the service.
Christian Marriage – what is it?
We believe that marriage is a gift from God for the good of His children. Marriage reveals both the loving nature of God and His purposes for His creation. It is also a symbol of the incredible union between Jesus Christ and His Church.
For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife and the two shall become one. Genesis 2:24
“Marriage is a unique opportunity. We have the chance to share every aspect of our life with another human being…Marriage is about two people being joined together to become one, and is therefore the closest, most intimate relationship of which human beings are capable.”
Marriage Book, Nicky & Sila Lee
On your wedding day we will gather in worship of our God and the vows taken are taken in His presence. We will seek His blessing upon you as a couple – for you will need His help to fulfil the promises that you make. The order of service will follow a simple Church of Scotland pattern and will include prayers and bible readings. Now is perhaps a good time to consider why you would like a church wedding or a wedding involving a minister, especially if you are not a member of the church. You could consider coming along to worship on a Sunday at either of our churches to gain an understanding of Christian worship.
Arranging the wedding
Please contact our office in the first instance, to discuss the possibility conducting your wedding service. As a Church of Scotland Parish, we are available for weddings for all those who live within the parish. If you live outwith the parish, permission from your parish minister may need to be obtained. Our minister will confirm if the date you have chosen is free and will arrange a time to meet with you as a couple to discuss your wedding in more detail. If you are divorced, the minister will ask to see the appropriate documentation.
Marriage Preparation
Once your wedding date has been agreed, the minister will arrange a time for you to meet with other couples to spend some time preparing for the marriage that begins at your wedding. You will receive a copy of The Marriage Book by Nicky and Sila Lee. This is intended to help you to talk through important issues in advance of being married to one another, including communication, conflict, finances etc.
Schedule
It is absolutely necessary to arrange your Marriage Schedule, otherwise your wedding will not be able to take place.
Contact the registrar in the district in which your wedding is to take place as soon as you have fixed the date. You will be required to provide certain documentation, usually between 4-6 weeks in advance of the wedding (longer if you are divorced). Remember to collect the schedule and bring it to the wedding rehearsal, which is usually the night before wedding.
Church Fees
There are fees for the use of the church and for those who will help on the day.
Use of church for member - £60
Use of church for non-member - £120
Beadle/Church Officer - £60
Organist - £60
Wedding Arrangements
There are lots of things to plan for – flowers, photographs, taxis etc. Your wedding service is one of the most important parts of the day, and this will give you an indication of the decisions that you need to make.
Music
· Music for entry of the bride (eg Bridal March)
· Music for singing of the register
· Music for leaving the church (eg Wedding March)
Our organist would be very happy to meet with you following a Sunday morning service to discuss options.
Hymns:
· Wedding services usually include two hymns. However, the choice of the number of hymns and what they are is for you to make.
Below is a list of potential wedding hymns. You can find out more about the tune and words at the following websites:
www.cyberhymnal.org
www.hymnary.org
www.youtube.com
· The King of Love my Shepherd is
· Love Divine
· One more step along the world I go
· Great is thy faithfulness
· Your love, O God, has called us here
· We come, dear Lord, to celebrate
· Let’s praise the Creator who gave us each other
· As man and woman we were made
· Be our chief guest Lord (to the tune Morning has broken)
· Come to a wedding (to the tune Morning has broken)
· All things bright and beautiful
· Praise my soul, the King of Heaven
· Give me oil in my lamp
· Lord of all hopefulness
· Gracious Lord we ask your blessing (to the tune Love Divine)
Gracious Lord we ask your blessing.
On these two who stand today,
at the longed for, glad beginning
of a new untrodden way.
We who love them bless and thank you
for the memories we hold dear,
for your love which planned their union,
for your grace which brought them here.
May their tender dreams and longings
be transformed, through passing years,
into memories they will treasure
sharing happiness and tears.
Give them faith and hope and courage,
and a love kept strong and true,
through a life of glad fulfilment
walking hand in hand with you.
· Standing together, facing the future (to the tune Morning has broken)
Standing together, facing the future,
Sure of each other, glad in our love,
Say hope is golden, say it is dream time
Pray for our future, pray for our love.
Standing together, promising truly
We will be steadfast, we understand,
Say love is sunshine, say its enchanting,
Pray for our future, pray for our love.
Life is for sharing, love is for giving,
Now and forever, near or away.
Standing together, each will be strengthened
Pray for our marriage, pray for our love.
· Vows have been spoken (to the tune Morning has broken)
Vows have been spoken, Prayers have been offered,
Rings as a token, placed on their hands,
Now with elation spirits are lifting,
In celebration joyful we stand.
Two lives are binding each to the other,
In thy love finding they now are one,
Keep them and mould them may joy enfold them,
In your peace hold them till life is done.
Their marriage lighten with understanding,
Their sorrows brighten, Lord, by your care,
With trust increasing in your love's blessing,
May faith increasing be theirs to share.
Praise and thanksgiving, lips are now voicing,
Lord of the living God above.
For all around us hearts are rejoicing,
As you surround us with your love
Readings
Here are some suggestions for bible readings for your service. You can find the content of the readings at www.biblegateway.com. You can also choose to incorporate a secular reading. If you are not sure about readings, the minister would be happy to choose for you.
Genesis 2:15, 18-25
Song of Solomon 2
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Psalm 67 (selection of verses)
1 Corinthians 13
Philippians 1:9-11
Mark 10:6-9
John 2:1-11
John 15:9-12
Romans 12:1-2; 9-13
Ephesians 3:14-21
1 John 3:18-24
1 John 4:17-13
Vows
The minister will talk you through the content and style of vows that you can incorporate into your service.
For example:
I, A….
now take you, B….
to be my wife/husband.
In the presence of God
and before these witnesses
I promise to be
a loving
faithful
and loyal husband/wife to you
as long as we both shall live.
Orders of Service
This is a suggested order of service for your hymn sheets:
Processional Music: Entry of Bridal Party
Welcome and Introduction
Hymn
Marriage Ceremony (including prayers)
Bible Readings
Hymn
Benediction
Signing of the Schedule (Musical Interlude)
Recessional Music: Bride and Groom leave the Church, followed in procession.
Congratulations on your engagement. We pray for God’s blessing on you both as you prepare, not only for your wedding day but your marriage to one another. We are delighted that you are considering having your wedding at our church or involving our minister.
On this page you will find details about how to arrange a wedding at either Trinity Church or Skene Kirk and information on what you need to prepare for the service.
Christian Marriage – what is it?
We believe that marriage is a gift from God for the good of His children. Marriage reveals both the loving nature of God and His purposes for His creation. It is also a symbol of the incredible union between Jesus Christ and His Church.
For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife and the two shall become one. Genesis 2:24
“Marriage is a unique opportunity. We have the chance to share every aspect of our life with another human being…Marriage is about two people being joined together to become one, and is therefore the closest, most intimate relationship of which human beings are capable.”
Marriage Book, Nicky & Sila Lee
On your wedding day we will gather in worship of our God and the vows taken are taken in His presence. We will seek His blessing upon you as a couple – for you will need His help to fulfil the promises that you make. The order of service will follow a simple Church of Scotland pattern and will include prayers and bible readings. Now is perhaps a good time to consider why you would like a church wedding or a wedding involving a minister, especially if you are not a member of the church. You could consider coming along to worship on a Sunday at either of our churches to gain an understanding of Christian worship.
Arranging the wedding
Please contact our office in the first instance, to discuss the possibility conducting your wedding service. As a Church of Scotland Parish, we are available for weddings for all those who live within the parish. If you live outwith the parish, permission from your parish minister may need to be obtained. Our minister will confirm if the date you have chosen is free and will arrange a time to meet with you as a couple to discuss your wedding in more detail. If you are divorced, the minister will ask to see the appropriate documentation.
Marriage Preparation
Once your wedding date has been agreed, the minister will arrange a time for you to meet with other couples to spend some time preparing for the marriage that begins at your wedding. You will receive a copy of The Marriage Book by Nicky and Sila Lee. This is intended to help you to talk through important issues in advance of being married to one another, including communication, conflict, finances etc.
Schedule
It is absolutely necessary to arrange your Marriage Schedule, otherwise your wedding will not be able to take place.
Contact the registrar in the district in which your wedding is to take place as soon as you have fixed the date. You will be required to provide certain documentation, usually between 4-6 weeks in advance of the wedding (longer if you are divorced). Remember to collect the schedule and bring it to the wedding rehearsal, which is usually the night before wedding.
Church Fees
There are fees for the use of the church and for those who will help on the day.
Use of church for member - £60
Use of church for non-member - £120
Beadle/Church Officer - £60
Organist - £60
Wedding Arrangements
There are lots of things to plan for – flowers, photographs, taxis etc. Your wedding service is one of the most important parts of the day, and this will give you an indication of the decisions that you need to make.
Music
· Music for entry of the bride (eg Bridal March)
· Music for singing of the register
· Music for leaving the church (eg Wedding March)
Our organist would be very happy to meet with you following a Sunday morning service to discuss options.
Hymns:
· Wedding services usually include two hymns. However, the choice of the number of hymns and what they are is for you to make.
Below is a list of potential wedding hymns. You can find out more about the tune and words at the following websites:
www.cyberhymnal.org
www.hymnary.org
www.youtube.com
· The King of Love my Shepherd is
· Love Divine
· One more step along the world I go
· Great is thy faithfulness
· Your love, O God, has called us here
· We come, dear Lord, to celebrate
· Let’s praise the Creator who gave us each other
· As man and woman we were made
· Be our chief guest Lord (to the tune Morning has broken)
· Come to a wedding (to the tune Morning has broken)
· All things bright and beautiful
· Praise my soul, the King of Heaven
· Give me oil in my lamp
· Lord of all hopefulness
· Gracious Lord we ask your blessing (to the tune Love Divine)
Gracious Lord we ask your blessing.
On these two who stand today,
at the longed for, glad beginning
of a new untrodden way.
We who love them bless and thank you
for the memories we hold dear,
for your love which planned their union,
for your grace which brought them here.
May their tender dreams and longings
be transformed, through passing years,
into memories they will treasure
sharing happiness and tears.
Give them faith and hope and courage,
and a love kept strong and true,
through a life of glad fulfilment
walking hand in hand with you.
· Standing together, facing the future (to the tune Morning has broken)
Standing together, facing the future,
Sure of each other, glad in our love,
Say hope is golden, say it is dream time
Pray for our future, pray for our love.
Standing together, promising truly
We will be steadfast, we understand,
Say love is sunshine, say its enchanting,
Pray for our future, pray for our love.
Life is for sharing, love is for giving,
Now and forever, near or away.
Standing together, each will be strengthened
Pray for our marriage, pray for our love.
· Vows have been spoken (to the tune Morning has broken)
Vows have been spoken, Prayers have been offered,
Rings as a token, placed on their hands,
Now with elation spirits are lifting,
In celebration joyful we stand.
Two lives are binding each to the other,
In thy love finding they now are one,
Keep them and mould them may joy enfold them,
In your peace hold them till life is done.
Their marriage lighten with understanding,
Their sorrows brighten, Lord, by your care,
With trust increasing in your love's blessing,
May faith increasing be theirs to share.
Praise and thanksgiving, lips are now voicing,
Lord of the living God above.
For all around us hearts are rejoicing,
As you surround us with your love
Readings
Here are some suggestions for bible readings for your service. You can find the content of the readings at www.biblegateway.com. You can also choose to incorporate a secular reading. If you are not sure about readings, the minister would be happy to choose for you.
Genesis 2:15, 18-25
Song of Solomon 2
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Psalm 67 (selection of verses)
1 Corinthians 13
Philippians 1:9-11
Mark 10:6-9
John 2:1-11
John 15:9-12
Romans 12:1-2; 9-13
Ephesians 3:14-21
1 John 3:18-24
1 John 4:17-13
Vows
The minister will talk you through the content and style of vows that you can incorporate into your service.
For example:
I, A….
now take you, B….
to be my wife/husband.
In the presence of God
and before these witnesses
I promise to be
a loving
faithful
and loyal husband/wife to you
as long as we both shall live.
Orders of Service
This is a suggested order of service for your hymn sheets:
Processional Music: Entry of Bridal Party
Welcome and Introduction
Hymn
Marriage Ceremony (including prayers)
Bible Readings
Hymn
Benediction
Signing of the Schedule (Musical Interlude)
Recessional Music: Bride and Groom leave the Church, followed in procession.