Saint Mary Magdalene - Windmill Hill, Enfield, Middlesex

A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana, and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine.

Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians, marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus Christ. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses.

On their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God's blessing. Their friends and families are witnesses of the marriage, and express their support by your presence and your prayers. Your support does not end today: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and years ahead of them.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13.4-7

Adapted from the Common Worship Marriage Service. ©The Archbishops' Council 2000

Congratulations if you are looking forward to getting married in the near future. All of us at St Mary Magdalene's Church wish you well in the future and good luck with all your preparations.

Before you approach us about having a wedding service in St Mary Magdalene's Church, there are a few things that will inevitably affect your wishes and your decision.

By law, you cannot get married at St Mary Magdalene's if neither of you lives in the parish. If one of you does, then it is your right, and you should be in touch with the Vicar as soon as possible. The parish is not so large, and does not include Enfield Town Centre, or Enfield Lock. Roughly speaking the parish comprises the area up the hill from Enfield Chase Station, to not quite as far as Chase Farm Hospital.

The exception to this rule, is if you are a regular worshipper at the church and have had your name placed on the Electoral Roll of the Church. (The Electoral Roll is kept by the church and has nothing to do with the Register of Electors kept by the Council, with which it is often confused). Under exceptional circumstances it may be possible to apply for an Archbishop's Special Licence, but the circumstances really do have to be very special indeed to be granted such a licence.

If you are in any doubt about eligibility, or want to investigate the legal issues surrounding marriage in the Church of England, you are strongly urged to follow this link.

If either or both of you have been married before, whether in the Church of England or elsewhere, then you are encouraged to consider the Service of Prayer and Dedication after Civil Marriage. There are fewer legal restrictions for this service, and it can be tailored to your individual needs.

For any enquiries do please contact the Vicar:

The Reverend Gordon Giles (mailto:vicar@saintmarymagdalene.org.uk) Tel: 020 8363 1875