Weddings at St. Sebastian's Church

Introduction

Your wedding is a very important, once-in-a-lifetime, event.  We hope that it will be a very special time for you.  This page should tell you most of the things that you need to know about getting married at St Sebastian's Church, but please do not hesitate to ring us if you have any other questions.

Legal Preliminaries to Marriage

There are several ways of fulfilling the law's requirements before a marriage in church.  By far the most common of these is the reading of banns.  If we have not discussed another method (e.g. Common Licence, Archbishop's Special Licence) with you, then you can assume  that you are to be married by banns.

Banns are an announcement of your intention to marry, and they have to be read out in church on three Sundays prior to the wedding.  At St Sebastian's  we usually read banns at our 9:30am service on the first three Sundays of the month before the month in which you are to be married.  We would be delighted if you are able to come to those services to hear the banns read, though this is not necessary. 

You can marry at St. Sebastian's Church if you live in the parish, are on the electoral roll of the Church (not the same as the voter's register) or can show:-

That one of you:

·                                 has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or

·                                 was baptised in the parish/church concerned or

·                                 was prepared for confirmation in the parish or

·                                 has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:

·                                 has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or

·                                 has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents or grandparents:

·                                 was married in the parish

If one of you lives in another parish, the banns also need to be read in that parish church, and it is your responsibility to arrange this.  A certificate will be issued by the church concerned, which you must give to us before you can be married here.

Marriage Preparation

We ask all couples who are being married at St Sebastian's during the year to attend a Saturday marriage preparation session at the Parish Centre.  Details of this year's session have been sent to you separately.  The day normally lasts from 10.00am to 4.00pm. and lunch is provided.  It is helpful if you can return the reply slip when it is sent to you as soon as possible to confirm that you will be attending.

Arranging the Service

Your wedding will normally be taken by the vicar, Revd Andrew Marsden, or by one of the other clergy on our staff team.  Please ring us about three months before your wedding in order to make an initial appointment to see the vicar.  On that occasion you will be able to discuss all the details of the service, but in the meantime the following thoughts may be helpful:

Music.

Most couples choose two or three hymns, as well as organ music to be played as the bride enters, and as the couple leave the church.  You may also want to choose music to be played whilst you sign the register.  Please discuss music with the vicar when you see him.  The organist is normally very happy to discuss music with wedding couples. We cannot provide a choir but can give you details of alternatives. Please contact the Parish Office (Tel: 01344 761050), for further information.

Flowers.

Please contact the Parish Office if you would like us to organise the flowers for your wedding.  Cost will depend on your requirements and on the time of year.  We are quite happy for you to arrange flowers independently, but it would still be helpful if you could keep Mrs Barber informed of your plans.

Photographs and Videos.

We only allow photography in church at the signing of the registers at the end of the service.  If you are planning to have a video of the service, please tell the vicar. You will need to arrange your own copyright licence but we can advise you about this.  It is helpful if you ask both your photographer, and whoever is doing the video, to come to the service early to talk to the vicar.

Service sheets.

If you plan to have printed service sheets, please check with the vicar first to make sure the order is correct

Confetti.

Is not banned, but we ask you to be considerate in its use and not to scatter it if possible on the Church path.  The bio-degradable variety is preferable!

Bells.

We have one only.  Sometimes couples like to have it rung as they leave the church.  Please ask the vicar.

Fees for 2011

Basic Fees Marriage Service - £262.00

Calling of Banns - £22.00

Marriage Certificate - £3.50

Verger - £10.00

Extras  - Organist - £50.00

Flowers - By Arrangement - (see above)

If you have to have banns published elsewhere, they will charge the current fee, which is £34.00

All fees should be paid in advance, often at the rehearsal, which usually takes place in the week preceding the wedding.  It is helpful to have the fees for the organist and verger in cash.  The balance can be in the form of a cheque, payable to St Sebastian's Church.

Any Questions?

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you have about your wedding.  The Parish Centre is open on weekdays from 9.00am - 3.00pm and the vicar can be contacted at other times on the same telephone number - 01344 761050.

Please be assured of our prayers as you approach your wedding day.

For comments and suggestions related to this web site, please send mail to
office@stsebastians.org.uk