Marriage Week

The ethos of Mothers' Union is "Christian care for families" and it is particularly concerned with promoting marriage as a lifelong partnership. Couples may become so focussed on the detail of their fairytale wedding day that they may miss the significance of the marriage vows (promises) made to each other during the wedding service. Mothers' Union wishes couples to be aware that the Wedding is just one day but Marriage is a lifetime. Marriage is about loving for life.

We wish to acknowledge the use of material in this section, which has been adapted from the Church of England Weddings website www.yourchurchwedding.org

Preparing for marriage

You'll never make such big promises to each other as your wedding vows. Before marriage, couples need to take time and space to consider these vows together. Your Vicar may help you in this.

Key issues for the couple:

• 'All that I have I share with you'
  How will we share our possessions and finances?
• Will you love, comfort, honour and care for (him/her)'
  How will we cope with disagreements so that we will protect our love and respect for each other for a lifetime?
• 'Forsaking all others, be faithful as long as you both shall live'
  How will we ensure we avoid and/or cope with temptations in order to remain faithful throughout our marriage?
• 'With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you'
  How will we invest in our relationship throughout our whole marriage?

And for the family:

• 'Will your family and friends support and uphold you in your marriage now and in the years to come?'
  What are our attitudes towards our future in-laws and other family members which the marriage will bring together?
  In discussing these issues before the wedding and then over the years of the marriage, how will we make sure we communicate better with each other?
  Marriage may or may not bring children, but in any case, what are our thoughts about parenting?

Taken from Growing Together 2nd Edition
Andrew Body
Church House Publishing