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Getting Married

Congratulations! An exciting and happy time lies ahead as you prepare for your wedding day.

We’re delighted you are interested in getting married in our parish. Because getting married gives you a whole new legal status with many benefits, there are considerations for the vicar to make in both UK civil and church law.

Contact Stewart for an initial conversation about what might be possible for you:

By choosing to get married in church you get much more than a beautiful venue! A church wedding adds a spiritual dimension to your marriage. The ceremony includes God and looks to him for blessing, help and guidance. The vows and promises you make in the presence of all your family and friends are also made in the presence of God who will help you to keep them and live them out in the years to come.

Marriage Preparation

The promises you make on your wedding day seal your love and commitment to each other for the rest of your lives, so it makes sense to spend some time thinking about the words and all that they mean.

You may have known each other for a long time already, but the promises and declarations you make on your wedding day are some of the biggest promises you will ever make.

Each year we offer a Marriage Prep Day for all couples getting married in one of our churches.

Check the next date on our calendar.

If you are unable to make this date the Minister will discuss alternative options with you. 

Banns

Here’s your essential guide to Church of England banns:

  • Banns are an announcement in church of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place.
  • Banns are an ancient legal tradition and have been read out every week in churches across the land for millions of couples, over many centuries.
  • After your forthcoming marriage is announced, the congregation may be invited to pray for you both. It can be quite special and moving to hear this, so do go along if you can.
  • Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as the church in which you are to be married, if that is somewhere else.
  • You must have your banns read out in church for three Sundays during the three months before the wedding. This is usually done over three consecutive Sundays but does not have to be.
  • As well as being a legal requirement, your banns readings are special public occasions when people in church hear of your intention to marry. It’s an exciting and happy time, so you’re welcome to invite your family and friends to hear your banns too, if you’d like.

The Ceremony

There are a number of choices for you to make to help make your ceremony personal to you. These include:

  • Which hymns you’d like
  • What music you’d like to have playing as you walk in and leave the church
  • Whether you’d like other music, like a CD played at certain points
  • Which Bible reading(s) you’d like
  • If there are any other readings or poems you’d like
  • If you have any special requests for prayers
  • If you have a special request for the ‘giving away’ part of the service. 
  • You have choices about who does the readings and prayers, which can involve your family and friends.

Fees

Wedding ceremony fees are set centrally through the Church of England Parochial Fees Table. These are reviewed annually and so fees may be subject to change.

Fees for 2024:

Ceremony in Church - £531.00
Publication of Banns - £36.00
Banns certificate (If required) - £18.00

Extras:

Bells - £230.00
Organist - £110.00
Heating (If required) - £50.00
Verger - £25
Audio Visual Support - £25