Couples offered prayer at Norfolk wedding fair

The two-day event – the biggest in the county – showcased everything the wedding industry has to appeal to couples planning their weddings. An estimated 6000 people visited over the weekend.

 

Flying in the face of this commercial “cacophony”, the Church of England and Mothers’ Union stand simply offered to pray for couples in the run-up to and on their wedding day. Seventy-five couples were delighted and put their names and the date of their wedding onto a gift tag and tied it to the prayer tree on the stand. The Mothers’ Union prayer chain has taken on the happy task of praying for them.

 

Couples were able to chat about their plans for their wedding, without being “sold” anything. Those who were unsure about whether they would be welcomed to marry in church “I’m divorced,” or “I haven’t been christened,” were able to talk about their concerns with a member of clergy.

 

Those couples who were planning to marry in church were pleased to be able to talk about some concerns ahead of their meeting with the vicar and to be shown around the www.yourchurchwedding.org website – all without exception thought it was a great resource. Couples were also encouraged to think about marriage preparation, either through a Loving for Life workshop or the Marriage Preparation Course.

 

“It is always good for the Diocese to be at the Wedding Show: the opportunities for conversations and questions are many and it’s a pleasure to talk to couples who are excited about planning their wedding and are pleased to be able to ask a vicar,” said Bishop of Norwich's Chaplain, Rev Simon Ward.

 

The team also worked at a one day show last autumn at Dunston Hall and the Anglican Diocese and Mothers’ Union Norwich trustees have committed resources to support two shows each year. 

 

“It’s a great way to show the value that the church and Mothers’ Union places on marriage,” said Win Sutton, Norwich MU Diocesan President.