Marriage
All you need to know
What is marriage?
The Sacrament of Marriage is the solemnization (official recognition) of a loving relationship, and a sign that this relationship is blessed by God.
What happens at a wedding?
The details of any service will differ from church to church — and even between services in the same church — but the couple will always declare that they are eligible to marry each other, and will promise to love and stay faithful to each other for the rest of their lives. They are blessed by the priest and the marriage is formally completed with the words “Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder”.
Practical details of arranging the service are noted below.
Why bother with marriage?
The Church teaches that marriage is the right environment for a loving relationship, and the upbringing of children. It allows the couple to make a public statement of their commitment to each other, and is a potent symbol of their bodily union.
Whom do we contact to arrange the wedding?
The Vicar, Father Grant Brockhouse, is in charge of organising the service. You can contact him on 01933 312433, or by email. If he is unavailable, please leave your name and number on the answerphone so he can call you back.
Who can be married at St Mary's Church?
Under present regulations one of you will have to be living within the parish or be on the electoral roll of St Mary's Church. If you are not sure whether you live within the parish boundary Fr Grant can advise you on this matter. If you are related to one another, please ask for advice.
What next?
You will have an initial meeting with Fr Grant to discuss the date and time of the marriage, and there will be further meetings to talk about marriage and all that it entails, again with Fr Grant.
The service itself:
You will normally need to choose three hymns, and Fr. Grant will be happy to help you in your choice. The vicar’s advice can also be sought about any bridal marches at the beginning and the end of the service.
The service will normally last between 25 and 35 minutes.
Photography and video recordings are not allowed during the service.
After the service:
The church will be open after the service if you would like to take any photographs in the church itself. Please do not use confetti inside the church grounds.
What about the rehearsal?
This should be arranged with Fr Grant, and will normally take place during the week before the marriage. Please bring your best man, at least one bridesmaid, the 'father' of the bride and other principal guests, so you can all familiarise yourselves with the service.
What if a partner has been married before?
As Church of England law stands at the moment, we are unable to carry out a full marriage service for those who have been married before and whose spouse is still alive. However Fr Grant can conduct a blessing after a civil marriage has taken place.
What do we do if we have to cancel the wedding?
Please inform Fr Grant as soon as possible. We can’t accept notification from anyone but one of the partners. You will not be liable for any fees unless the Banns have already been published (in which case the statutory fees for the Banns and their certificate must be paid).
Weddings during Lent or Advent.
Usually no marriages take place during Lent, and Advent
How much does it cost?
Publication of the banns £18 .00
Certificate of the banns £12 .00
Marriage service £218 .00
Marriage certificate £3 .50
Verger £20 .00
Organist £85 .00
Bells (optional) £110 .00
Junior Choir £80 .00
The above costs are valid until 31 December 2006; fees for certificates may be increased from 1 April 2007. Where fees are to be incurred during 2007 or subsequent years, please expect an increase.
All fees paid to the Vicar are sent to the Diocese of Peterborough to offset the Parochial Share. The Vicar does not keep any of the fees himself.
The Statutory Table of Fees can be seen inside the Church Porch .