Wedding Fayre

Love is in the air, or so it seems in Chatteris at least. Nineteen weddings booked and we are getting set for our second Wedding Fayre. It will take place on Saturday 18th February between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. 

I am really looking forward to it! Although I had my hesitations first time around, last year's experience convinced me that it is a wonderful way to reach out to the community.

“I didn't realise that the Church was interested in weddings.” someone said to me.  We were waiting for the doors to open for our first wedding fayre and I was chatting with one of the stall holders. She went on to say: “I've never seen a wedding fayre in a church before. And I have been to a lot of wedding fayres!” 

I had to agree with her that hosting a wedding fayre was new territory for us. (I was shaking in my shoes!) But, when it came to weddings, and indeed marriage, I tried to explain that the church was in fact very interested. The Bible teaches that marriage was God's idea in the first place. 

That was the first conversation of many which convinced me that we needed to open our doors.

We hosted our first wedding fayer on Saturday 2^nd March 2013. The nave was cleared of chairs to make room for twenty stalls, from bridal gowns to bartenders, florists to make up artists. Outside was a hog roast while horses and a tiffany carriage stood ready to offer rides down the high street. 

“Wedding fayres are an absolute 'must' for the majority of brides” stated Ellen Arkle. “Holding a fayre in church is a natural way to embrace local business whilst welcoming those couples who have not considered a Church ceremony.” Ellen had helped the whole PCC to see the wonderful opportunity that was in front of us. Using her experience as a Wedding Planner, Ellen was able to organise a professional event while helping me to engage with couples who, for one reason or another, had not chosen to be married in a church.

The usual bridal gifts were offered, along with fashion shows and cake competitions, but this was a fayre with a difference. The vicar's table provided books about marriage guidance and a glass of champagne to those who sat down to chat about their plans, explore questions about marriage law, or discuss personal pastoral issues. 

 

After meeting with over fifty couples, I was amazed to see some brides in tears because they discovered too late that they could have been married in church. I was shocked to realise that so many myths remain about the church being an unwelcoming place for those who have not been baptized or who had been through a divorce. 

Pitch fees were reasonable and those who contributed were given a free space. Even so, over £1000. was raised for church funds. By the end of the day, we were tired, but grateful for all the postitive feedback from both brides and businesses. As Cake Decorator Heather Bicknell said, “The day was a beautiful way to show off the stunning historic building that is our church.”  The event not only opened the doors to our building but emotional and spiritual doors too. 

Hopefully the message is finally getting out: The church is very interested in your wedding!