Getting Married at St Mary's
St
Mary’s provides a delightful setting for a wedding service and we are
delighted to welcome couples to St Mary’s for their wedding. The service
is a central part of one of the most important days of your life and we
want to help you enjoy and appreciate this significant time.
We
are also here to help you prepare for your married life together. By
getting married in church, you are asking for God’s blessing on your
life together - the best start you could possibly have.
How do we get married at St Mary’s?
The
first thing to do is to contact the Church Office and make an
appointment to meet with our church administrator. We would like to make
sure we do everything in the best possible way, which means checking
the legal requirements as well as checking that the date you would like
is available. You will then complete an application form to confirm your
booking. Weddings can be on any day of the week (although not usually
on Sundays) but pleas ebe aware that it may not be possible to arrange a
choir or church bells on weekdays.
When do we have to book?
It
is best to book the church as soon as you have decided to get married.
We currently have bookings up to two years in advance but there are
spare dates in our church diary. It is important to check with us that
the church is available before booking your reception.
Does it matter where we live?
If
one or both of you live in the Parish you may get married in StMary’s
by Banns. This is an old tradition, but is a legal requirement. We
announce your marriage in church on three Sundays before the wedding
day. Traditionally, this gives members of the public the opportunity of
hearing about the wedding and voicing any concerns about the proposed
marriage (be reassured, this is extremely rare!)
If neither of
you live in the Parish it may still be possible to get married here if
you have strong links with St Mary’s. For example if you have lived
here in the past or if your parents live in the Parish. If you worship
regularly at St. Mary’s for at least six months, you may also be married
by Banns.
How do you help us prepare for our marriage?
We will invite you to attend a marriage
preparation course for all couples who will be getting married around
the same time. The course covers practical aspects such as music,
flowers and legal matters and also considers what getting married and
being married means. These courses have been very popular in the past.
We are confident that the course will be helpful for you.
What happens next?
During
the months before your wedding there may be lots of questions you want
to ask. Our clergy and Church administrator are available to offer help
and advice about any aspect of your marriage. About three months before
your wedding we contact you to tell you when your Banns will be read, if
appropriate.
We can advise on your order of service and review
it with you and we can offer help with choosing hymns and music. We will
arrange a convenient day for a rehearsal, usually on the evening before
your wedding day.
Do you marry divorced people?
In
certain circumstances, it may be possible for divorced people to marry
in church. If it is not possible we are happy to arrange a wedding
blessing service which would follow a civil ceremony. This service of
blessing would have most of the elements of a wedding service, except
for the legal requirements. Please talk to our administrator if you
would like more information about this.
How much does it cost to get married?
Everything
that is legally required will cost about £330 but most couples like to
choose optional extras such as the organ and organist, bells etc which
will increase the costs. Full details are available from the Church
Office.
Any other questions?
If you would like to find out more please contact our administrator;
t : 01245 477501
e: stmaryschurchoffice@gmail.com
For further information click on this link which will take you to the Church of England site for information on weddings.
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