Church weddings set to soar by 50 per cent in Lincolnshire as bookings flood in

Bookings for church weddings in Lincolnshire have soared by 50 per cent because of all the cancellations caused by Covid-19, according to a snapshot of clergy from around the county.

With so many couples having to cancel their plans last year because of coronavirus restrictions, the next 18 months are looking busier than ever.

The Reverend Stephen Buckman, who is vicar at the Corby Glen group of parishes, has 26 wedding ceremonies to perform between now and October. He also has 32 events booked for next year and one for 2023.

He said: “It is a great privilege to marry a couple and be part of their day and I really enjoy it. I spend a lot of time with the couple during our wedding preparation meetings and welcome them into their church and make sure they feel valued.

“I think I could have been married hundreds of times over as when we practice the wedding vows, they all look at me instead of one another!"

Looking back at his own wedding day, the Rev Buckman strives to offer the same care that he received.

“I had a wonderful wedding when I got married and the priest could not have done more to make us feel like we mattered, and I want all my couples to feel the same, because they do.

"It is good to have a laugh and show humanity.

"I still see couples that I married in church and some have turned to me when things have been difficult. I consider this to be a great honour to be trusted in this way."

Many couples have had to delay their weddings three or four times.

There are legal requirements to marry in a church which are listed in full on the Church of England’s website Yourchurchwedding.org