We are delighted to welcome couples to the beautiful churches across our benefice for their wedding. The service is central to one of the most important days of your life and we do everything we can to ensure that it is rather special.
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 can have.
Frequently asked questions...
How do we get married in church?
The first thing to do is contact either Rev. Justin Tomkins or Rev. Caroline Brown who will arrange to meet with you to discuss the whole process. You will be able to check that the date you would like is available and complete an application form to confirm your church booking. Weddings can be on any day of the week (although usually not Sundays) and we can confirm the availability of other elements such as an organist, choir and bell-ringers.
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 still plenty of spare dates in the calendar. It is important to check with us that the church is available before booking your reception. There is no booking fee but we do ask you to notify us if your plans change, otherwise we might have to make a charge for a cancellation.
Does it matter where we live?
If one or both of you live in the Parish you may get married in the appropriate Parish Church by Banns. This is an old tradition, still legally required, whereby an announcement of your impending marriage is read out in church on three Sundays up to three months before the wedding. Traditionally, this gives members of the public a chance to object to the marriage but this is extremely rare these days!
If neither of you live in the Parish, it may still be possible to get married here if you have strong links with the area. For example, if you lived here in the past or your parents live in the area. Alternatively, if you worship in the church you would like to be married in for at least six months then you may also be married by Banns.
How do you help us prepare for our marriage?
Early in the year in which you are to be married, you will be invited to attend a one-day course for all couples who will be getting married in the same year. The course is run on a Saturday and covers practical aspects such as music, flowers and legal matters and then goes on to look at what being married means.
We hope that aspects of the course will be relevant to you, whether you are just about to set up home together or you have been living together for some time. the final session looks at the wedding service itself and gives you a chance to discuss the various parts of it and to think about how you would like your service to be special to you. During the course you will be given lots of explanatory material to help your preparation.
What happens next?
During the months before your wedding there may be lots of questions you want to ask. Our clergy are always available to offer help and advice about any aspect of your marriage. About three months before your wedding we will contact you to tell you when your Banns will be read. We can advise on the Order of Service and review it with you; we can offer help with choosing hymns and music if you wish. We will arrange a convenient day for a rehearsal; this is usually the evening before your wedding day.
Do you marry divorced people?
In certain circumstances, it is possible for divorced people to be married in church. In other cases, or if you prefer, we can arrange a wedding blessing service to follow a civil ceremony and this can have most of the elements of a wedding service except for the legal requirements.
How much does it cost to get married?
Everything that is legally required will cost just over £500 and some couples do choose optional extras such as a choir, the organ, bells etc. which can increase costs to about £850. This can all be discussed with the minister. Please use the contact page to get in touch.
