The Church Weddings Handbook

The Seven Pastoral Moments that Matter

The Wedding Project was set up by the Archbishop's Council to investigate why 22% of couples still choose a traditional church wedding. Looking at ways in which people view the church and experience it as they prepare for their wedding day, considering how the Church can be made more attractive to people.

These findings have made a huge impact on how those in church ministry are relating to couples who are choosing to marry in church.

Seven key missional opportunities have been obtained through this research such as:

• Initial enquiry

• Service planning

• Reading of the banns

• The big day

• First anniversary

Challenging the myths as to why people do or do not decide to marry in church and to make a helpful resource for those working in this area of ministry.

Gillian Oliver is the Head of Communications Development for the Church of England and team leader of the Weddings project.