CAPTION: The wedding fairs are an opportunity for clergy to answer questions about church weddings and help couples connect with their local church
Devon Church Wedding Volunteers Engage with Couples at Wedding Fairs
“It’s a privilege to be in a secular setting and show that, we, the Church, have a lot to say about marriage. As we tell couples: ‘we are there for you long after your wedding day.’
Reverend Tracey Voysey is one of the volunteer members of the Devon Church Weddings team who recently attended the Wedding Extravaganza at Exeter’s Westpoint Arena.
The event, which takes place twice a year, is one of the largest wedding fairs in the South West.
For the past few years there has been a Devon Church Weddings stand at as many of the Westpoint wedding fairs as possible.
Volunteer clergy and lay people run the stand with support from the Diocesan Communications team.
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People often end up asking questions about baptisms and other church services too
Devon Church Weddings is a Diocese of Exeter project to encourage couples to consider a church wedding and guide them through the process.
It also works to support and resource parishes in their wedding ministry.
The wedding fairs are a great opportunity to chat to couples about what a church wedding is like, match them with their local church, using the A Church Near You website, and answer questions they may have.
Deborah Leighton Plom, an ordinand who volunteered at the latest fair, said “Building awareness of the wedding service churches offer, and connecting with couples who might not have otherwise considered a church ceremony is invaluable to raise awareness in general.
“Couples asked us about qualifying criteria, specific traditions, and the church’s policies. Having a presence at the fair gave us the opportunity to address these concerns directly, dispel any misconceptions, and provide clear information.
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The wedding fair stand includes sample orders of service and info booklets to give away
Deborah said she was able to talk with one couple who had already booked a civil wedding ceremony about their faith journey and where it might be going. She was also able to pray for them.
“It was both a privilege and a responsibility to represent the spiritual in an overwhelmingly secular setting. There were more orthodontist stands (3) at the fair promising the perfect smile for your wedding, than spiritual representatives,” she reflected.
Rev’d Gudrun Thomas, who is Team Vicar in the East Clyst Mission Community, told BBC Radio Devon about one lady the team had spoken to: “She wanted to [get married in a church] but didn’t know who to get in contact with. We were able to go on A Church Near You and find the contact details for her.” Click here to listen to the full interview (at about 1 hour 46 mins into the programme).
Rev’d Alison Rogers, from the Edgemoor Mission Community, said being at the fair meant “We were able to tell so many couples that they can get married in church.”
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The volunteers enjoy visiting other stands at the wedding fair too
As well as talking to couples and their families about church weddings, the volunteer team also often end-up getting asked about baptisms and funerals.
The fairs also provide a good opportunity to meet other people in the ‘wedding business’ like florists, caterers and reception venues. The volunteers were also able to try their hand at curling at one of the exhibition stands and get their photos taken in a wedding photo booth there for the event.
Rev’d Tracey Voysey concluded: “For me the biggest thing is to be able to say that, yes, we do weddings, they can be personalised and that we are invested in you, as a couple and to make the day special for you and your guests.
“Oh, and that not all vicars are stuffy and boring – as one couple told us that was their reason for not having a church wedding!”
If you would like to find out more about Devon Church Weddings click here to visit the Devon Church Weddings website, or email: devonchurchweddings@exeter.anglican.org
