Weddings

Last Updated (Thursday, 02 February 2012 18:26)

If you’re reading this because you are wondering whether you might be able to be married at St Nicolas, fantastic news! It has been our privilege at St Nicolas to take many weddings over recent years. Although there is now an ever increasing choice when it comes to choosing your wedding venue, couples are still drawn to having a church wedding because of an inner sense that this is the appropriate place to begin married life combined with a recognition that their ceremony will be in an experienced and safe pair of hands. A church wedding (when compared with so many other attractive venues) also still represents excellent value for money.

 

Qualifying Connections

You can marry at St Nicolas if you can show:-

That one of you:

  • lives in the parish or
  • is on the church’s electoral roll or
  • has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least six months or
  • has regularly gone to normal church services in St Nicolas for a period of at least six months or
  • was baptised in the parish or
  • was prepared for confirmation in the parish or

 

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

  • has lived in the parish for a period of at least six months or
  • has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in St Nicolas for a period of at least six months or

 

One of your parents or grandparents: 

  • was married in the parish

 

Legal Preliminaries

The legal preliminaries for your wedding will usually be by the publication of banns. This is a notice given out for three Sundays which states you intend to marry, and therefore gives an opportunity for anyone who thinks there is a reason why you cannot (legally) be married to state their objection. Your banns will be read at our 10 o’clock service on the first three Sundays of a month soon before your wedding is due to take place. Please remember that if one of you lives in a parish other than St Nicolas, then you must have banns called in that parish also. They will charge you £34 (2012 fee) for the calling of banns and the issuing of a certificate.

 

Marriage Exploration

Each year we provide an opportunity for couples who are about to be married to come together to explore some of the issues to do with being married (as opposed to the wedding itself). We aim to make the session useful, fun and interactive. There will be no pressure on you to reveal stuff about yourselves to others (apart from your name and one or two basic details) … unless you really want to! Our 2012 Marriage Exploration will take place on Saturday 3 March. We start at 9.30am and finish at 3.00pm after a snack lunch.

 

Music

Our organist is Mr Peter Lutton. Peter is very willing to discuss your musical choices with you and give you any help you need. Most of the time, we are also able to offer the option of a choir (although this may be difficult to provide during August).

 

Flowers

The church has people who are willing to arrange flowers for weddings. We ask for a donation of approximately £100 towards the cost of flowers, although this may vary depending on the flowers.

 

Videos/Photography

We allow videoing by prior arrangement (although please note the increase in fees below). If you use a professional, please check that they have a licence to cover the recording of hymns and music. If a friend or member of the family is doing the filming, they can be covered by our licence.

 

Interval Between Weddings

Your wedding may well be the only one taking place at St Nicolas on the day you’ve booked. If there is more than one we allow a two hour interval between the start time of each wedding. Ordinarily this is sufficient time to allow for a wedding of typical length, half an hour for photos outside the church after the service, and for the churchyard to be clear of guests in time for the wedding following yours.

 

Fees 2012

Publication of banns                       £22                        

Marriage service                              £262                      

Marriage certificate                        £3.50                    

                                               

Optional additional

Organist                                               £120*

Choir                                                     £100

Video                                                    £40

Bells                                                       £20

Marriage Exploration                      £10        

Flowers                                               £100 (approx.)

               

*Please note that if you have the wedding videoed, the organist’s fee increases to £210.

 

What Next?

Please make an initial enquiry to the Rector, Alan Jenkins (01372 452405). If it looks likely that you might be married at St Nicolas, he or the curate, Chris Bessant, will arrange to meet with you.