What do you want from us?

I've just spent two days with the Church of England Weddings Project team thinking how the Church can improve our welcome to Brides and Grooms. As 'Investors in Weddings' we would really love it if you felt you wanted to stick with us when the last bit of confetti has finally composted itself on the church rose bed. Hence my poll below: I really want to know - What do Wedding Couples Want?

You may never really have attended church before apart from weddings, baptisms and funerals - and we pride ourselves on doing those really well. In fact a recent poll showed that you gave us 10/10 for the service on the day. But we are trying to improve the way we get involved with you in the lead up to the day - which is why we offer marriage prep and are happy to help you choose readings and hymn or rehearse the wedding service. And if you've been attending church before the wedding and heard your Banns read - then you'll have heard us praying for you.

We'd also really like to stay friends and welcome you into our eclectic family afterwards.
The church is there for you in the good times and the bad. We are not perfect - we're a motley bunch of people who get it wrong like everyone else - but we know 'a man who can' and we'd like to introduce you to him. We think our lives are all the more enriched through knowing him.

Of course we'll be delighted if you re-appear with your first baby to ask for Prayers of Thanksgiving or a Baptism service. But it would be great to see you sooner and get to know you a little more. Friends are friends in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer. Why not give us a try?