Weddings

Thank you for asking about marriage at St. James. We want to do all we can to see that your day is as successful as you would hope. Please contact Pete Gillions (Church Warden) via the Contact Us  page or call in for a chat after a morning service. Let us answer some important questions:

• Can you be married here?
• Is there an age restriction to marriage?
• Do we need to be married in Church?
• Can I marry in Church if I am divorced?
• What do we do now?
• At the meeting
• As soon as convenient
• About 2 or 3 months before the date of the wedding
• The week before the wedding
• Can we use videos and cameras in Church?
• Can someone else take part in the service?
• Do we need our own service sheet?
• Can we ask you about anything?
• Hymns & music for your wedding
• Fees
• Finally

Can you be married here?
To be married in St. James one of you must live in the parish OR be on the electoral roll (to get on the roll you must attend church regularly for 6 months). This is a legal requirement, not the church being awkward!
Use this link to find out which is your Parish Church www.achurchnearyou.com.

Is there an age restriction to marriage?
The legal requirement is that you must be 18 or over to marry without consent. If you are 16+ you can marry but you will need your parents’ written permission.

Do we need to be married in Church?
A Register Office marriage is as valid as a church wedding. However, being married in church is special — in coming to church you are asking God to be involved in your marriage.

Can I marry in Church if I am divorced?
Although legislation has changed it is not a forgone conclusion that divorcees can marry in church. The final decision rests with the Minister of the parish and will only be arrived at after discussion and careful consideration over why the first marriage failed.

What do we do now?
If you want to explore things a little further then contact us to discuss things further.

At the meeting

• Settle the date and time for the wedding, (it can be changed later).
• Fill in the necessary form giving details, including full names, addresses, occupation of your fathers, (equality has not yet reached the Registrars forms). You will need to decide whether you want an organist, choir, etc.
• Find out how much the wedding costs
• Pay a £10.00 deposit — it will be returned if you cancel before the day!

As soon as convenient
If one of you lives outside St. James parish boundaries, you must arrange to have your Banns read in the parish church in which you live. Banns are part of the legal requirement enabling you to be married in church. We cannot marry you if we do not have a Banns Certificate by the day of your Wedding! Ring Chris if you would like help finding the parish in which you reside. The use by date of a Banns Certificate is 3 months. You are not required to be in church to hear Banns read but most couples come at least once — if only to check that they are right!

About 2 or 3 months before the date of the wedding
Check everything is OK, choose your hymns (usually 2 or 3), and entry & exit music. If you have unusual musical requests you may need to discuss them with the organist. At this session book a time for the rehearsal, usually an evening during the week before the wedding.

If you are having extra flowers ring Mrs. Joan Frisby on 258 6532 to discuss arrangements - if there are any other weddings on the same day you might like to work with the other families to share the cost!

The week before the wedding
Come for the rehearsal with payment for the wedding if you have not already paid, the Banns Certificate is required at this time. Rehearsals only require the bride and the groom to attend but all others are welcome to come along if they wish.

Can we use videos and cameras in Church?
Yes, but discreetly and not with extra lighting or flash. We reserve the right to ask someone to leave if they are being intrusive with cameras! (It hasn’t happened yet!) Check that the video person is covered for copyright for the service and the music. WE ARE NOT LICENSED AND WITHOUT IT YOU MAY BE IN BREACH OF THE LAW.

Can someone else take part in the service?
Yes, gladly, but the minister conducting the service must do the legal bits. Prayers, readings, address, songs, are all open for negotiation provided they are appropriate for use in the Service.

Do we need our own service sheet?
If you choose hymns contained in our hymnbooks you are free to use them. If you are thinking about using a service sheet we will be happy to give advice about what to include. We might be able to produce one for you. If you appoint ushers for your wedding they can distribute service sheets or books and welcome folk on the day.

Can we ask you about anything?
YES! At any stage ring and ask we can usually help!

Hymns & music for your wedding
Unless you say different the usual wedding music for entry and exit will be played. A wedding can take place without music but it is usual for hymns to be sung. Here are some suitable ones to get you thinking;

• Love divine, all loves excelling
• Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
• Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
• The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
• Father, hear the prayer we offer;
• Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
• The King of love my Shepherd is
• O Jesus I have promised

These are not the only hymns that you can choose from - there are many others both old and new!

Fees
The following scale of charges apply:
For 2007 the cost is £470.00. If you only require your banns to be read and a certificate issued the charge is  £31.00.

A breakdown of these costs is available on request.

Finally
We hope you have a great day and a good future together. We would love to hear from you after the event, especially if there are things you think we could improve, or if there is something that was especially nice!