Weddings and Celebrations
If you would like to get married at St Andrew’s or hold a celebratory service of prayer and dedication after a Civil Marriage or a Civil Partnership then please do get in touch. We will do all we can to ensure that your special day is a very happy one and that your life together begins on the firmest of foundations.
We will help you to prepare carefully for your marriage or for your service of prayer and dedication, both with the logistics as well as emotionally and spiritually. At the Marriage service you will be invited to make your solemn promises to each other, not only in front of your family and friends but in the sight of God and with God’s blessing.
Getting Married
You can get married at St Andrew’s if you fulfil one of the following legal requirements:
- If one or both of you live in the parish
- If one or both of you are regular worshippers at church for at least six months and on the church’s electoral roll
- If one or both of you have some other connection to the parish such as you were baptised here, or your parents or grandparents used to worship here, or were married here.
If you are divorcedWe understand that some marriages fail and we try to help people rebuild their lives in new relationships. If you have been divorced and would like to discuss the possibility of being married a second time in church please do not hesitate to speak to one of the clergy. You will need to do this before we can confirm the booking your wedding service.
Unfortunately it is still not legally possible to marry same-sex couples in church. However here at St Andrew’s we will do all we can to help you celebrate your relationship together with a service of prayer and dedication after a civil marriage in a registry office. Please contact us for more information or to discuss this further.
If you're a foreign national If you are a foreign national, having a Church of England wedding will involve extra paperwork to make sure your marriage is legal in this country and recognised in the country you come from.
If you are not baptisedIf neither of you are baptised, or you belong to a different faith, which is not Christian, then it may still be possible for you to get married in St Andrew’s. The marriage service, however, must be the normal Church of England Christian service.
Calling your bannsIf you are being married at St Andrew’s or if you live in this parish and are getting married in a different church your banns will need to be read out. This is done at the 10am Sunday Service over three consecutive Sundays during the three months prior to your wedding.
If you would like to know more about arranging a wedding or service at St Andrew’s or about having your Banns called, please email to arrange a meeting.
Wedding Application form can be downloaded here!