The day that many people had been waiting for has arrived – the marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle. As the Archbishop of Canterbury introduced the words of the marriage ceremony, he reminded the couple that ‘no one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God.’
Choosing to get married is a serious adventure that a couple embarks upon; it is about commitment, compromise, and forgiveness as they continue to grow in their life together as a married couple.
A question I often ask couples when I meet with them before I conduct their wedding is, ‘How will getting married change your relationship?’ For many couples who have lived together for a while before deciding to get married, they have not really discussed with each other or even thought about how moving their relationship to another level – i.e. getting married will change it. Or sometimes couples think if they get married it might sort out the issues they are having in their relationship: most likely it will not.
Marriage is fantastic, challenging and a roller coaster adventure. But like all adventures it needs careful thought and preparation, to help it start on a firm footing and to help prepare for some of the challenges ahead and how they can be overcome.
The Canary Wharf Multifaith Chaplaincy is here to offer help as couples prepare for marriage or Civil Partnerships. We offer a short informal course helping couples to think through some of the things that they may not even have thought about – we just ask to be invited the their 25th wedding anniversary party.
We wish the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a long and blessed marriage, a fulfilled and adventurous life together.
