Weddings at St Mary’s

You can marry at St Mary’s if you can show that you have at any time lived in the parish for more than six months, or if you were baptised or confirmed at St Mary’s or have at any time regularly attended church services at St Mary’s for a period of at least six months.

Additionally, we are happy to celebrate the marriages of those whose parents have lived in the parish for a period of six months or have regularly attended services for a period of six months. We are also able to welcome those whose parents or grandparents were married in the parish.

If you’re thinking of getting married, first of all may we offer you our congratulations. You’ll find lots of useful information on this page but we’re also very happy to answer your questions in person or over the phone. Just click below to get in touch.

Marriage Preparation

At St Mary’s wedding couples meet first with a priest to discuss their plans. They are then invited to private marriage preparation sessions.

There are four separate sessions held over a six week period, each lasting up to an hour.

Before the sessions couples are sent a link to an online questionnaire and the answers to the questions by both bride and groom form the basis of the marriage preparation discussions.

Key topics for discussion can include Finances, Children, Hobbies and Lifestyle, Work Life Balance and Aspirations.

Spirituality is also an important element of the discussions.

Before a wedding can take place there are also various legal formalities to be completed. If you or your partner have been married before (in a church or Register Office) or if one of you is not a British citizen, there are additional legal issues which will need to be discussed and forms to be completed.

 

 

Banns and Fees

Weddings fees include at a minimum: banns, marriage prep, the presiding priest and the verger. For a breakdown of details click below.

To avoid disappointment and expense, please don’t book your reception venue until the Rector has confirmed that all is in order legally and that the church is available for your preferred date and time.

Most marriages in the Church of England are conducted after the reading of Banns. You can download a Banns Application Form below.