Thinking about marriage

The story of your relationship as a couple may have begun fairly recently or years ago. Either way, getting married is a whole new beginning for you, your family and others in your life.
A hanging decoration made of hearts

..From this day forward..”After you are married you have a new legal status, possibly a new name and a new family unit. This changes the way others relate to you too, whether they are close to you or not.

..As long as you both shall live..” The vows that you make in church with all your wedding guests present, acknowledge that life has its ups and downs, but that you lovingly commit wholly to each other, sharing all that you have and all that you are with the other, for the rest of your lives.

So marriage means that your choices will always include another person in partnership with you, through good times and tough times. But also, you invite the blessing and guidance of a loving God into your relationship too.

Your vicar may invite you to a discussion locally, possibly with other couples, to provide space to think about the vows and the difference they will make, regardless of how long you have already been together. The following pages may help you to do that too.

Also in this section

The good times

The tough times

The special times

Renewing your vows

Preparing for marriage