Church's novel idea to freshen up wedding hymns

Here Comes the Bride, Mandelssohn's wedding march and All Things Bright and Beautiful are staple hymns for the average church wedding.

But one Black Country church is aiming to set a new trend and show couples there are many more choices on offer to make their big day a more memorable one.

St Bartholomew's Church in Wolverhampton is hosting a wedding hymn and reading showcase to give couples alternative options to the more popular choices of hymns and readings.

Barbara Edwards, from the Penn church's organising committee, said: "We've found over a number of years that people tend to go to a friend's wedding and then choose the same hymns or readings for their own nuptials.

"They often don't have a very good knowledge of hymns they could have or readings that are suitable."

The church choir will perform eight possible wedding songs during the showcase event on Saturday, while eight readings will also be read out.

Four of the readings will be biblical while the other four will be taken from a wide selection of works, including verse by Winnie the Pooh author A.A.Milne.

Mrs Edwards said:"We have not only invited couples who are getting married at St Bartholomew's but have extended the invite to all churches in the city because this is a common difficulty people face.

"People put so much effort into planning a wedding, it's nice to put a bit more effort into choosing hymns and readings that people like.

"We find that people tend to revert to songs they remember from school such as All Things Bright and Beautiful. But there may be songs that are more suitable for them that they don't even know about.

"They may hear a song or reading on Saturday night and they might just love it.

"It can make the difference between their day being the same as everybody elses or a little bit different."

The wedding showcase will start at 7.30pm at the church, in Church Hill. Entry is £5 per couple and can be paid on the door.