Weddings

The rules about where couples can marry are set out in law you can marry in a church where you have a qualifying connection. This may give you lots of choice!

You can be married in our parish in either St Boniface or St Martin in the Wood church (your choice!) if:

one of you:

1. lives in the parish or
2. is baptised and on the church’s electoral roll or
3. has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
4. has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or
5. was baptised in our parish (either church) or
6. was prepared for Confirmation in our parish. or 5
7. n the p was prepared for confirmation in the parish or 
8. one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
9. has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
10. has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or 
11. one of your parents or grandparents: was married in the parish.

If either of you have been married before, that is not an automatic bar to a church wedding but you need to discuss your situation with one of our clergy before we can agree to conduct the service – please contact the parish office to arrange for that to be done at the earliest possible opportunity. It might be possible to offer a service of blessing after a civil marriage if a church service is not possible.

The law requires all couples intending to marry to give notice of that to the community in which the wedding is to take place. If you are both nationals of countries within the European Economic Area and are marrying in church, this is most usually done by reading of Banns of marriage. You will need to have Banns read in the church where you are marrying and the parish church where you live if that is different. If you are marrying elsewhere but need Banns read here because one or both of you live in our parish, please contact the office to make arrangements. The fee for this in 2016 is £40. If you are having Banns read here because you are marrying here, the details will be covered for you in marriage preparation.

Banns are read on three occasions during the main morning service in the three months prior to the wedding, and we let you know the dates of your Banns whether you are marrying here or elsewhere. We are always delighted to welcome wedding couples to hear their Banns, and to have the opportunity to pray for you.

In some cases, marriage after Banns is not possible and it may be necessary to obtain a marriage licence or a Superindent Registrar’s Certificate, but we will advise you about that when you contact us to inquire

We are probably the only wedding professionals you will deal with in your planning who are interested in helping you to invest in your relationship and in your marriage – not just in your wedding day. To do this we invite all couples to a marriage preparation morning in January or February of the year you are due to be married when we spend time thinking about marriage and married life, as well as the practical arrangements for your special day. You will also have a couple of meetings as a couple with the vicar who will be conducting your service to make plans for the day itself and to have space to think about your hopes and dreams for your future together. We aim to work with you to ensure that your day is memorable and that your marriage is built on a firm foundation. We also offer marriage courses to help you strengthen your relationship and family life.

The fees for a church wedding are set by law, but there are optional extras that you can choose to have in our church. The statutory fees change every year but to help with you budgeting, the fees for 2016 are:

Marriage Service* – £415
Publication of Banns of Marriage* – £27
Marriage Certificate (at the time of marriage)* – £4
Certificate of Banns of Marriage (if required) – £13

Optional items at this church:

Organist – £90
Choir (St Boniface only) – £110
Flowers (this is a contribution towards our costs) – £100
Heating (we would recommend heating between October – March; refunded if not required) – £80

*These items are the minimum legal fees payable. An additional certificate is available at the time of marriage for £4. Copies after the day are £10.

We are always delighted to share your celebrations if you would like to renew marriage vows or celebrate a special anniversary. Please contact the parish office to arrange this.