Churches offer one-stop shop for wedding and reception at church

Christ Church Parish Hall in Heaton


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26 October 2009

The Church of England in Greater Manchester is planning to offer couples a one-stop shop for their wedding and reception. Many churches across Manchester have attractive, modern facilities for couples who want the convenience of holding the wedding service and reception in the same or neighbouring buildings.

A new website resource will allow couples to search for reception venues and match hall and church. At the forthcoming UK Wedding Show on 24 and 25 October at Manchester Central, vicars will be on hand to discuss this and other wedding ideas with couples considering a church wedding.

Canon Chris Bracegirdle, vicar of Christ Church, Heaton, says “Providing facilities for the wedding reception offers a way for the church to be more involved with the couple and their wedding plans. Rather than only conducting the marriage service, we have the opportunity to welcome and care for the couples that come to us, showing that they matter regardless of whether they worship regularly at church or not”.

Christ Church Parish Centre in Heaton can hold up to 100 guests, and has been the venue of choice for several wedding couples in recent years. With space for up to 100 guests, it has excellent facilities including kitchen, toilets, disabled access, parking, and doors that open onto a garden.

The Diocese of Manchester has 350 churches. Not all can accommodate a reception, but many are better equipped than ever to host the whole big day.

Revd Jan Harney, who has organized the wedding show stand for the Church of England, said: "Churches are the right place to celebrate weddings and they’re the right place to continue the celebration. We love to see our church buildings used for more and more things and that includes wedding receptions. Church buildings have historically been used for the whole community. They’ve been used for celebrations of all kinds…and we’re returning to that more fully today than we have for a long time. That’s greatly to be welcomed and encouraged.”


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