'Journalists' church' was right for us
Steve and Jackie
London’s aptly-named St. Bride’s church was the natural choice for Woman’s Own Deputy Features Editor Jackie Brown when she married graphic designer Steve in March 2007.
The Fleet Street church is famed for its service to journalists and many in its congregation are those who work in media circles.
Steve and Jackie had been to carol services there and felt St. Bride’s was a church they connected with. They decided this was the church where they wanted to marry and made an appointment with the rector, Canon David Meara.
“David had a very warm, friendly, no-nonsense approach and included us in the planning of our wedding service from day one,” said Steve. “He made it clear that it was up to us how we wanted the day to be, while offering help whenever we asked for it. We met separately with Robert Jones, St. Bride’s Director of Music, and other helpful people in the church during the planning. At St. Bride’s, the door is always open, and we found everyone who helped us to be very friendly and welcoming,” he said.
We’re still popping into the church and getting involved in some of the activities on offer – and we’re finding that going to church is enjoyable. We say to ourselves each time we go ‘we must come more often’.
The ceremony was traditional, and reflected Jackie’s Scottish roots - some of her family wore formal Scottish. For a local twist, a white London taxi transported the married couple to the reception and a specially-decorated red London Routemaster bus transported guests.
“Our ceremony was traditional,” said Steve. “Although I know you can choose modern readings and poems, we wanted Biblical ones; it’s what it should be about. We never contemplated anywhere else but a church for our wedding. In our view, it was important to stamp some gravitas on the situation and we felt that church was the place where a marriage is supposed to happen."
Photos kindly supplied by St John Pope.
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