Introduction
.A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana, and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine
Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians, marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus Christ. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses.
On their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God's blessing. Those who attend a wedding are witnesses of the marriage, and express their support by their presence and your prayers. Their support does not end on their wedding day: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and years ahead of them.
Your Church Wedding | The Church of England
Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians, marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus Christ. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses.
On their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God's blessing. Those who attend a wedding are witnesses of the marriage, and express their support by their presence and your prayers. Their support does not end on their wedding day: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and years ahead of them.
Your Church Wedding | The Church of England
The Wedding Service
The Book of Common Prayer The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony | The Church of England
Series 1 A Form of Solemnization of Matrimony (Alternative Services: Series One) | The Church of England
Common Worship 2000 Marriage | The Church of England
Series 1 A Form of Solemnization of Matrimony (Alternative Services: Series One) | The Church of England
Common Worship 2000 Marriage | The Church of England
Banns
Banns need to be called in the parish in which the wedding takes place and the parish in which you reside(if different). To arrange the calling of banns please contact the vicar on 01924 893110.
Qualifying Factors
You can get married at St Mary's of you 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 or
•was prepared for confirmation in the parish Church 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 Church
•has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
•was baptised in the parish Church or
•was prepared for confirmation in the parish Church 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 Church
Documentation Needed for Arranging a Marriage or the Calling of Banns
Proof of Nationality
One of the following original documents (or groups of documents) must be provided by each of the
parties to the proposed marriage to the member of the clergy, as evidence that the party is a
relevant national
(a) a valid British, EEA or Swiss passport;
(b) a valid national identity card issued by an EEA state or Switzerland;
(c) certificate of registration as a British citizen granted by the Secretary of State (or, if the person
has changed their name, evidence of the change of name);
(d) certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen granted by the Secretary of State, together with
another document referred to in paragraph 2.9 below, to establish current use of the name and
surname referred to on the certificate of naturalisation (or, if the person has changed their name,
evidence of the change of name);
(e) where the party was born in the United Kingdom--
(i) before 1st January 1983 - a United Kingdom birth certificate;
(ii) on or after 1st January 1983 a full United Kingdom birth certificate showing their parents’
(or, as the case may be, parent’s), details;
If none of the documents listed above are available, such other document as the Registrar General
determines it is reasonable to accept in the particular circumstances of the case.
Proof of Identity
One of the following original documents (or groups of documents) must be provided by each of the
parties to the proposed marriage to the member of the clergy, as evidence that of the party’s name
and identity
(a) utility bill dated no more than three months before the date on which notice of marriage is given;
(b) bank or building society statement or passbook dated no more than one month before the date
on which notice of marriage is given;
(c) council tax bill dated no more than 12 months before the date on which notice of marriage is
given;
(d) mortgage statement dated no more than 12 months before the date on which notice of marriage
is given;
(e) current residential tenancy agreement;
(f) valid driving licence in the name of the person giving notice of marriage.
If none of the documents listed above are available, such other document as the Registrar General
determines it is reasonable to accept in the particular circumstances of the case.
One of the following original documents (or groups of documents) must be provided by each of the
parties to the proposed marriage to the member of the clergy, as evidence that the party is a
relevant national
(a) a valid British, EEA or Swiss passport;
(b) a valid national identity card issued by an EEA state or Switzerland;
(c) certificate of registration as a British citizen granted by the Secretary of State (or, if the person
has changed their name, evidence of the change of name);
(d) certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen granted by the Secretary of State, together with
another document referred to in paragraph 2.9 below, to establish current use of the name and
surname referred to on the certificate of naturalisation (or, if the person has changed their name,
evidence of the change of name);
(e) where the party was born in the United Kingdom--
(i) before 1st January 1983 - a United Kingdom birth certificate;
(ii) on or after 1st January 1983 a full United Kingdom birth certificate showing their parents’
(or, as the case may be, parent’s), details;
If none of the documents listed above are available, such other document as the Registrar General
determines it is reasonable to accept in the particular circumstances of the case.
Proof of Identity
One of the following original documents (or groups of documents) must be provided by each of the
parties to the proposed marriage to the member of the clergy, as evidence that of the party’s name
and identity
(a) utility bill dated no more than three months before the date on which notice of marriage is given;
(b) bank or building society statement or passbook dated no more than one month before the date
on which notice of marriage is given;
(c) council tax bill dated no more than 12 months before the date on which notice of marriage is
given;
(d) mortgage statement dated no more than 12 months before the date on which notice of marriage
is given;
(e) current residential tenancy agreement;
(f) valid driving licence in the name of the person giving notice of marriage.
If none of the documents listed above are available, such other document as the Registrar General
determines it is reasonable to accept in the particular circumstances of the case.
Fees (2022)
Publication of Banns and Certificate £48.00
Wedding Blessing Service £480.00*
Marriage Service (including calling of Banns) £512.00*
*excludes local fees such as music, verger, heating etc.
Wedding Blessing Service £480.00*
Marriage Service (including calling of Banns) £512.00*
*excludes local fees such as music, verger, heating etc.
Next Steps
Please ring the parish office on 893110 to find out more