For the first time ever in Shropshire, the Church of England locally is to take part in a wedding fair.

The event at Ludlow Castle on Sunday 22 March will see vicars encouraging couple to choose a church for their wedding venue.

“We are the largest provider of wedding venues in the area,” said Anni Holden, spokeswoman for the Diocese of Hereford.

“We have over four hundred churches many of them grade one listed historic buildings and the perfect setting for a wedding.”

The Diocese of Hereford performs around seven hundred weddings each year, a figure that has remained constant despite legislation which has allowed couples to tie the knot in a much wider range of buildings and venues.

However the Church of England nationally has recently changed its rules to make it easier for couples to marry in the church of their choice.

“We know from research that 100% of couples are glad they chose church for their special day,” Ms Holden. “We are offering more than just a building too. The church is in a unique position to offer support up to and beyond the big day, and give couples the meaningful vows - "for richer for poorer..." - that are the ideal way to begin married life.”

Couples turning up at the church stall in the marquee will find a vicar to talk to who will be able to identify a couple’s local church and explain what and how a service can be organised. It will encourage visitors to the event to log on to a special website which gives lots of ideas for planning their wedding in church.

"A church wedding reminds us that love is a priceless gift from God. That's why I'm encouraging people to 'think church' when they are planning their wedding,” said Brian Curnew, Rector at St Laurence’s, Ludlow’s town centre church.

“We will be staffing the event despite it being a busy working day for us! Fortunately we have found a vicar without a service that morning to get things going at the beginning.”


On the web: www.yourchurchwedding.org