What's so special about marriage? - YourChurchWedding.org from the Church of England

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"/> 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</div> </li> <li class="clsMegaMenu"> <a href="#">Your Marriage</a> <div> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/what39s-so-special-about-marriage.aspx" title="Read more: What's so special about marriage?">What's so special about marriage?</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-boosts-happiness.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage boosts happiness">Marriage boosts happiness</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-health-and-extends-your-life.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage is good for your health and extends your life">Marriage is good for your health and extends your life</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-provides-more-and-better-sex.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage provides more and better sex">Marriage provides more and better sex</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-helps-to-keep-you-together.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage helps to keep you together">Marriage helps to keep you together</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-children.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage is good for your children">Marriage is good for your children</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-protects-you-legally-and-financially.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage protects you legally and financially">Marriage protects you legally and financially</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-society-as-a-whole.aspx" title="Read more: Marriage is good for society as a whole">Marriage is good for society as a whole</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/anniversaries.aspx" title="Read more: Anniversaries">Anniversaries</a></li><li class="li_clear"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/keep-in-touch.aspx" title="Read more: Keep in touch">Keep in touch</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/realweddings.aspx">Real Weddings</a></li> <li class="clsMegaMenu"> <a href="#">FAQs</a> <div class="goleft"> <ul> <li><a 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id="bannerright"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/planner/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/images/ceremonyplanner.jpg" alt="Ceremony Planner"/></a> </div> </div> <div id="divDefaultBodyContent"> <a id="access_content"></a> <div id="divContent"> <h2><span id="ctl00_myContent_lblPageTitle">What's so special about marriage?</span></h2> <h3><span id="ctl00_myContent_lblPageTeaser"></span></h3> <p><a href="#"></a> <ul><li>Marriage is a very ancient idea. The Bible suggests it goes right back to Adam and Eve, who were 'made for each other' (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202;&version=31;" onclick="target='_blank';">Genesis 2</a>). Jesus' teaching on marriage, as exclusive, unbreakable and forging a new family unit, drew on this original blueprint. And Jesus loved a good wedding: he turned water into wine at a wedding reception (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202;&version=31;" onclick="target='_blank';">John 2</a>), his first recorded miracle. Even today, marriage exists in practically every country and culture on earth. </li><li>So marriage has always been part of God’s good plan for us. And no wonder! A good marriage is healthy, freeing and life-giving, as you’ll discover as you read through this section. </li><li>Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. There is something in a public commitment of this magnitude that has a spiritual element to it and which can transform a relationship to a new and deeper level.</li></ul><div id="divQuotes"><span id="spnPullQuote"> <br/>When you commit to someone they are always in your thoughts; when you decide things, you always consider how it will affect them, not just you</span></div><br class="clear"/><p> <ul><li>God intended marriage to offer the right place to grow in love and support for each other, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-provides-more-and-better-sex.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">fulfil our sexuality</a> and provide a stable and secure environment for <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-children.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">bringing up children</a>. Marriage can change us for the better, and as we change, our marriage grows along with us. </li><li>In the marriage ceremony, a couple makes a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other. A commitment, by its nature, is a challenge. Saying ‘I will’ to those vows obliges you to forgive and be forgiven. It will be tough at times! So marriage is a risk, but a risk worth taking. There’s plenty of evidence to show married couples are more likely to be <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-is-good-for-your-health-and-extends-your-life.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">healthy</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-marriage/marriage-protects-you-legally-and-financially.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">wealthy</a> and wise. </li><li>Occasionally we all fall short of God’s ideal for love, but a degree of conflict in a marriage is healthy if dealt with appropriately. Obviously conflict that results in domestic abuse* in any of its forms is unacceptable, contrary to God’s will and the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-wedding/wedding-vows.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">wedding vows</a>. Christians believe marriage is a gift from God and should mirror of the love God has for all of us – love that remains true, faithful, protective and respectful. </li></ul><p>(*If you would like to read more on the Church of England's response and guidelines on domestic abuse please see <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/papers/domesticabuse.pdf" onclick="target='_blank';">this paper.</a>)</p></p> </div> <div id="divTestimonials"> <div id="divTestimonialsContent"> <h3>Real Weddings</h3> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/real-weddings/our-vicar-learned-polish-to-welcome-our-guests.aspx" title="Read more: Our Vicar learned Polish to welcome our guests"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/thumbnailer.aspx?Img=http://weddings.strawberryadmin.co.uk/uploads/images/20111215150251.JPG&imagewidth=151&overlay=n" alt="Read more: Our Vicar learned Polish to welcome our guests"/><br/> Christopher and Anna<br/><strong>Our Vicar learned Polish to welcome our guests</strong></a> </p> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/real-weddings/we-married-a-week-before-baby-arrived.aspx" title="Read more: We married a week before baby arrived"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/thumbnailer.aspx?Img=http://weddings.strawberryadmin.co.uk/uploads/images/20100615101122.JPG&imagewidth=151&overlay=n" alt="Read more: We married a week before baby arrived"/><br/> Mary and Selwyn<br/><strong>We married a week before baby arrived</strong></a> </p> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/real-weddings/new-love-after-loss.aspx" title="Read more: New love after loss"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249im_/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/thumbnailer.aspx?Img=http://weddings.strawberryadmin.co.uk/uploads/images/20081106095051.JPG&imagewidth=151&overlay=n" alt="Read more: New love after loss"/><br/> Christine and Brian<br/><strong>New love after loss</strong></a> </p> <br/> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/realweddings.aspx">> See all real weddings</a> </p> </div> </div> <div id="divHighlights"> <div id="divHighlightsContent"> <h3>Did You Know ?</h3> <p> There are some great things about a church wedding you might like to know. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/presentations/weddings-project/index.html" onclick="target='_blank';">Read more</a> <br/><br/> </p> <p> If you're soon-to-be-married, you could be featured in The Times. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-wedding/an-invitation-from-the-times.aspx">Find out how.</a> <br/><br/> </p> <p> You don't have to marry on a Saturday. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/youre-welcome/you-can-marry-on-any-day-of-the-week.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">Read more</a> <br/><br/> </p> <p> A wedding is legal only if it happens between 8am and 6pm <br/><br/> </p> <p> You don't have to be christened to get married in church <br/><br/> </p> <p> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/your-wedding/cost-saving-tips.aspx" onclick="target='_self';">You can save</a> on the 'big five' wedding costs <br/><br/> </p> <p></p> </div> </div> <br class="clear"/> </div> <div id="divFooter"> <div id="divFooterLinks"> <p>© The Archbishops' Council | <a href="/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/site-content/contact-us.aspx" title="Learn how to Contact Us" accesskey="c">Contact Us</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.justforvicars-yourchurchwedding.org/">Just For Vicars</a> | <a href="/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/site-content/acknowledgements.aspx" title="Acknowledgements">Acknowledgements</a> | <a href="/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/site-content/accessibility-statement.aspx" title="Read our Accessibilty Statement">Accessibility Statement</a> | <a href="/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/site-content/privacy-statement.aspx" title="Read our Privacy Statement" accesskey="p">Privacy</a> | <a href="/web/20120101181249/http://www.yourchurchwedding.org/site-content/terms-of-use.aspx" title="Read our Terms of Use" accesskey="t">Terms of Use</a> | Site By <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.strawberrydigital.co.uk/" title="Strawberry, Web Design Hull">Strawberry Web Design</a></p> </div> <div id="divFooterSocial"> <div class="clsSocialFacebook"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120101181249/http://www.facebook.com/pages/Church-of-England-Weddings-Team/173106136062246">Become a fan on... 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What's so special about marriage? - YourChurchWedding.org from the Church of England