The United Reformed Church could become the first mainstream church in the UK to hold same-sex weddings.
It already allows civil partnership ceremonies within its buildings.
Now its general assembly, being held in Cardiff, is trying to persuade delegates blocking proposals on same-sex marriages to drop their opposition.
Gay marriage became legal in England and Wales earlier this year but religious organisations have to "opt in" to offering weddings.
The Church of England and Church in Wales, which did not support the change in law, are banned in law from doing so, however.
The first same-sex weddings took place on March 29.
Scotland passed a similar law in February with the first same-sex marriages expected there in October. Northern Ireland has no plans to follow suit.
'Traditional understanding'The Quakers and the Unitarian Church have already agreed to hold gay weddings within their premises.
With around 90,000 members across 1,500 congregations, the United Reformed Church is considerably larger than them, however.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the church had hoped to achieve consensus on proposals to allow same-sex weddings without a formal vote.
However, a small minority of the 300 delegates at its general assembly insist that the services would constitute a redefinition of the traditional understanding of marriage.
Our correspondent added: "If delegates are allowed a majority vote, the general assembly could approve same-sex weddings in principle, subject to the agreement of its district synods, which officials say would be likely to be given."
At a plenary session during the general assembly, one member said it was "hurtful" for same-sex couples to be asked to wait to marry within their church.
Reverend Fiona Bennett of the Augustine United Church in Edinburgh, told the assembly: "I am asking for grace. By allowing churches to opt in, we create space for diversity to hold our unity."
Another speaker urged the church to welcome gay people "to the feast of marriage".
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