Hereford clergy get to grips with new Church marriage rules

Fifty members of the clergy in the Diocese of Hereford have signed up for a day all about weddings after the rules on marriage in church were changed by the Church of England.

"We are not really surprised at the take up for the day course," said Anni Holden, spokeswoman for the diocese, which covers Herefordshire, South Shropshire and parts of Worcestershire and Wales. "The rule changes make it easier for couples to choose a church wedding so our vicars are expecting more services."

Clergy will be taken through the new rules, which came into force on 1 October, by two members of the Archbishop's Council Projects Wedding Team. They will be looking at the new 'marriage measure', what it means and what it could mean for the church and will take clergy through new research into why people do and don't choose a church wedding.

"The Church of England through this new Weddings Project have commissioned a lot of research into why people might or might not choose to get married in church," added Anni. "The results will probably surprise most of the people attending the course and I suspect by the end of the day a few myths will have been exploded. "

There will also be a session sharing how 'we' do weddings well in 'our' churches and how practices might change or be refreshed in the light of the recent legal developments. The day will also include input from a legal representative from the registrar's office of the diocese.

"We are still the largest provider of wedding venues locally and have maintained the number of services we conduct, despite competition from other secular venues," said Anni Holden. "But we do have lots of historic churches in beautiful settings, capable of fulfilling any bride's dreams."

Clergy within the Diocese of Hereford conduct more than 700 weddings and marriage blessing services every year. Those attending will receive the latest poster sponsored by the diocese featuring a local couple and vicar. The search for another couple for next year's advertising is already underway.