Weddings & Blessings
THE PARISH OF ALL SAINTS, BIRCHINGTON, WITH ST MILDRED, ACOL, AND ST THOMAS, MINNIS BAY.
YOUR WEDDING IN CHURCH
CONGRATULATIONS!
You’ve decided to become husband and wife and you’d like to be married in your Parish Church. Everyone is pleased and wants the very best for you, as you start your life together. We welcome you, your family and friends and whether you wish to be married in All Saints, St Mildred or St Thomas, we will endeavour to do everything that we can to make sure that your Wedding Day is a day to remember.
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
Marriage is a lifelong commitment; that’s why a good deal of thought and prayer will go into preparing you for it. Choosing to be married in Church means that you are expressing publicly that you want God to be involved in your Marriage. As you give love to one another you will start to open yourselves to receiving and experiencing God’s love – that is why we call Marriage a ‘Sacrament’. As you grow in commitment to one another, you will discover something of God’s self-sacrificing love as seen in the life of Jesus Christ. By bringing God’s loving presence into the very start of your married life, you bring a whole new dimension into your lives. God’s love transforms your relationship. His strength sustains you through joys and sorrows. Your Marriage in Church underlines and makes your commitment all the stronger and you start off married life, blessed by God and upheld by the prayers of your family and friends.
WHICH SERVICE?
The choice is yours either Common Worship Service Book (2000) Marriage Service or the Book of Common Prayer (1662) Service of Holy Matrimony, Within the former there are many options, which can assist in making this a very special day. It is important for you both to spend some time discussing the form of Service with the Vicar.
THE LAW
MARRIAGE AFTER BANNS
Marriage is governed by the law of the land and there are conditions that must be kept. Normally, at least one of you must live in our Parish or have a connection with the Parish. However, the regulations are now much more relaxed regarding residence and local connections. Banns of Marriage, announcing your intention to marry, must be called in the Parish Church where you currently live. You will need a Certificate of Banns to present to the priest conducting your wedding.
MARRIAGE BY LICENCE
A COMMON LICENCE is needed where Banns are not called. You must be resident within the Parish or on the Electoral Roll of the Parish Church for fifteen days before the licence is applied for.
AN ARCHBISHOP’S SPECIAL LICENCE
This is needed when neither of you fulfil the residence qualifications. You must have the Parish Priest’s consent for this; it is never granted as an automatic right. Applications must be made by letter to:-The Registrar, The Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JT.
REMARRIAGE AFTER A DIVORCE
Where one or both parties have been married before and are divorced: the Church Authorities can offer a “Service of Dedication and Blessing after a civil Marriage” (in a Registry Office). However, there is the possibility of a wedding in Church, which can be arranged after discussions with the Parish Priest and if there are sufficient pastoral reasons, both parties are in law, free to marry.
TIMETABLE
Approximately 1 year in advance:
Book the date! A deposit of £100, non-returnable, is required plus two items proving your identity in the form of a passport, driving licence or utility bill.
3 – 4 months before: make an appointment to see the Vicar and organist.
Approx 2 months before: Contact Maureen Hudson (841900) to discuss your choice of flowers if included.
1 month before: Banns read and fees paid (cheques payable to “Birchington PCC”).
Rehearsal – time agreed by you and the Vicar.
On the day: Don’t be late as this can hold up proceedings.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS
Past experience causes us to make strict rules about photography in Church. All help will be given to your official photographer to enable you to have the record that you want of this special day. If you wish to make a VIDEO RECORDING of the service, it will involve extra costs and a CLCC licence. You must discuss this with the Vicar and obtain a video licence from the Parish Office.
MUSIC
Within reason, the choice is yours! Our organists are Tim Attride (01843 833586) for All Saints and Chris Hedges (01843 833565) for St Thomas Church. You can make an appointment to see the organist after one of our Sunday services when, with the aid of the organ, you can discuss entry and exit music, your choice of hymns and other music (ie CDs) requirements.
HYMNS
You can have either 2 or 3 hymns in the service; preferably relevant and well known ones that will encourage everyone to join in with the service. Suggestions are:
- Love Divine, All Loves excelling.
- Lord of all Hopefulness.
- Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven.
- Morning has broken.
- O Jesus I have promised.
- All Things Bright and Beautiful
- Give me Joy in my Heart
- God, in the Planning and Purpose of Life
- One more step along the world I go
- Lord of the Dance
ORDERS OF SERVICE
These need not be expensively produced, thanks to photocopiers, but can assist in making a memorable day even more special. If the words to hymns are printed on the sheets it means less clutter for the guests and helps to give a feeling of unity to the service. Past examples may be seen in the Parish Office.
READINGS AND PRAYERS
Perhaps the best Bible reading for a wedding is
1 Corinthians 13, where St. Paul talks about the importance of Love. It helps to place the Sacrament of Marriage in its true context. Do talk to the vicar about a reading(s) and any special prayers that you would like incorporated in the service to make it very personal and right for you both.
Where one partner is of a different denomination: This is never a problem, and arrangements can be made for other clergy to take part in the service.
FLOWERS
We have an excellent team of flower arrangers under the direction of Mrs. Maureen Hudson (841900) or if unavailable, Mrs. Margaret Coombs (845463). Both will be happy to discuss your arrangements. You can choose to have full wedding flowers or just a pedestal decoration.
FEES
The schedule of Wedding Fees is shown below.
NB: Current fees are reviewed by the registrar every January.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact The Rev. Mark Ham on 01843 844591 or 07790 430805
WEDDING FEES: – ALL SAINTS
PAROCHIAL and CHURCH FEES
PUBLICATION OF BANNS OF MARRIAGE £ 32.00 TOTAL: £512.00
MARRIAGE SERVICE £480.00
LOCAL FEES
CHURCH FEES and OVERHEADS £ 60.00
VERGER £ 25.00 TOTAL: £145.00
ORGANIST £ 60.00
BASIC WEDDING FEES TOTAL: £657.00
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
CHOIR £120.00
BELLS £ 100.00
FLOWERS (one pedestal) £ 40.00
(full package) £100.00
VIDEO LICENCE with ORGANIST £100.00
PAROCHIAL and CHURCH FEES
PUBLICATION OF BANNS OF MARRIAGE £ 32.00 TOTAL: £512.00
MARRIAGE SERVICE £480.00
LOCAL FEES
CHURCH FEES and OVERHEADS £ 60.00
VERGER £ 25.00 TOTAL: £145.00
ORGANIST £ 60.00
WEDDING FEES: £657.00
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
FLOWERS – negotiable
VIDEO LICENCE with ORGANIST £100.00
WEDDING TAKING PLACE IN ANOTHER CHURCH
PUBLICATION OF BANNS £32.00
CERTIFICATE OF BANNS £16.00 TOTAL: £48.00
COPY OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: £11.00
WEDDING BLESSING FEES
ALL SAINTS (AFTER CIVIL MARRIAGE)
CHURCH FEES £60.00
ORGANIST £60.00
VERGER £25.00
FLOWERS, BELLS, CHOIR optional TOTAL: £145.00
VIDEO WITH ORGANIST £100.00
ST THOMAS AND ST MILDRED (AFTER CIVIL MARRIAGE)
CHURCH FEES £30.00
ORGANIST £50.00
VERGER £25.00
FLOWERS optional TOTAL: £105.00
VIDEO WITH ORGANIST £100.00
