The Blessing of a Civil Marriage 
A marriage can be blessed in Church immediately after a Civil Ceremony (by negotiation with your Parish Priest/Vicar) or usually within a few days of the marriage taking place.
This is an option for those who have been divorced and are unable to marry within the Church of England, is sometimes chosen where one partner is a Christian and the other is of another faith or none, or may be undertaken years after the ceremony if a couple who, having married under Civil Law, have since come to faith and wish to ask God's blessing upon their marriage.
The promises are slightly different to the marriage service as the couple are already wed. Rings are not exchanged as they already have been during the Civil Ceremony, however, the wearers may extend their hands for the minister to bless them if desired.
For some people this is a short service, without ceremony and for regular known members of the congregation may even be included within a Sunday service. For others, the Civil Ceremony will be a formality, and they will wish the service of Blessing to bear as many of the hallmarks of a Church wedding as possible, particularly if one partner has never married but is marrying a divorceé, for example. However simple or extravagant you wish the Blessing of your Marriage to be, do please discuss your needs with your local parish priest who will be glad to advise on the most appropriate service for your situation.
 Click here for the 'Prayer and Dedication after a Civil Ceremony' liturgy
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