From 4 July, the Government has allowed for weddings in places of worship, providing certain public health criteria are met.
There is a specific exemption that covers wedding services. This allows a maximum of 30 people to attend church premises for a wedding without observing the ‘rule of six’. This is subject to the church carrying out a risk assessment and taking all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of coronavirus. Until otherwise advised, we consider the maximum of 30 to include everyone participating in the service
TO LOVE AND TO CHERISH
Churches are special and unique places to get married in, the prayers, promises and the whole service of celebration become part of your marriage, on the day itself and beyond.
We are delighted that you are thinking about getting married at St Cuthbert’s church and we hope that this information will be of some help as you get down to the serious business of planning your wedding day together.
PREPARATIONS
After making initial contact with the Priest-in-charge, Revd Charlene 01977 599979 you will need to meet the priest who will be officiating at your wedding. It’s our job to make you feel welcome and comfortable and to help you make decisions about the ceremony.
At your first meeting, it will be useful for you to bring your passport if you both have one. This provides confirmation of your nationality, which we require. If you don’t have a passport, we will let you know what other documents would be suitable alternatives. If either of you are divorced, we will also need to see your decree absolute.
After all the legal preparations have been arranged, we can talk about your ceremony and what kind of service you’re hoping for.
We will discuss music, hymns, Bible readings, additional readings if you’d like one, and anything else you’d like to include.
BANNS OF MARRIAGE
Most Church of England marriages will require banns to be published before the wedding can take place. You won’t need to arrange banns until about four months before your wedding date.
Here’s your essential guide to Church of England banns:-
Banns are an announcement in church of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place.
Banns are an ancient legal tradition and have been read out every week in churches across the land for millions of couples, over many centuries.
After your forthcoming marriage is announced, the congregation is invited to pray for you both. It can be quite special and moving to hear this, so do come along if you can.
Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as the church in which you are to be married, if that is somewhere else.
You must have your banns read out in church for three Sundays during the three months before the wedding. This is usually done over three consecutive Sundays but does not have to be.
As well as being a legal requirement, your banns readings are special public occasions when people in church hear of your intention to marry. It’s an exciting and happy time, so you’re welcome to invite your family and friends to hear your banns too, if you’d like.
If there is not enough notice given for the banns to be read before the marriage is due to take place, or if one or both of you are British but do not live in England (or Wales), the Common Licence procedure needs to be used rather than banns. If one or both of you is a national of a country which is outside the European Economic Area, you will require a Superintendent Registrar’s Certificate to marry, rather than have banns read.
Before the wedding takes place we mush have the banns certificate (if read in another church) by the time of your rehearsal at the latest.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
There is no doubt that the choices you make about your wedding day can make a huge impact on the total cost. Part of the cost will be for the legal fees, and everyone pays this. There are also optional extras which you can choose or decline, according to your budget. Please ask if you’d like to have the church organist, whether you’d like the church to do the flowers, and whether you’d like to have the church bells rung. All these are optional extras and we can talk through how much your ceremony is likely to cost.
If you wish to record the service, even if this is being done by a friend or relative we are obliged to charge an extra fee for this facility and forms have to be completed in advance.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Please be aware that all bookings are provisional until a 50% deposit is paid and is returnable in full if a cancellation is made in person or in writing up to three months beforehand. Full payment is required fourteen days before the wedding day payable either by Bacs transfer or cheque. Cheques made payable to Ackworth PCC.
You might like to see the priest in church too, if you can, go to a few services before your wedding day. You’ll be able to see the church in use and get to know other people there too. You’d be very welcome!
We hope this information will help your planning and doesn't seem too prescriptive. Any queries please do not hesitate to contact me:
The Revd. Charlene Smith, The Rectory, Cross Hill, Ackworth WF7 7EJ
Tel: 01977 599979, Email: [email protected]
WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU
Loving God,
we thank you for the journey
on which you have led this couple to bring them together.
As they celebrate their love,
and begin to plan their wedding day,
we pray that you will give them wisdom and joy,
surround them with good friends and wise advice,
and help them to know more of your great love for them.
In Jesus’s name,
Amen