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Weddings

    Introduction

    Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding! We look forward to working with you on this very special day. This information will guide you through your church wedding and show you the arrangements and options that you have when getting married in church. This will help you to work through the booking of your wedding from start to finish:

  • All initial enquiries should be made through the parish office. The parish office is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9:00 and 13:00. Telephone 01785 258511.

  • Arrange to meet with the priest who will officiate at your wedding. The priest officiating at your wedding will want to meet you a couple of times before the event. Please contact the parish office to make these appointments.

  • Please return the options form for music etc as soon as possible but at least three months before the wedding

  • Two full months before the wedding, usually on the first three Sundays, your banns will be read. You will need to be at the 9.30 service to hear them. You will receive an invoice at this time. Please pay this at least one month before the wedding.

  • If you are having an order of service please let the priest see this before going to print.

Booking

Your first enquiry will be handled by Pauline Roycroft in the Parish Office. You will then be given an appointment during the Parish Office Hour to book your wedding. Pauline will need to know:

If you do not live in the parish and are not regular worshipers in the parish you will need to discuss this further with the Rector.

Again, if one of you has been married before you need to discuss this with the Rector. This does not necessarily mean that you can’t get married here but we do need to speak to you before you make further arrangements.

The church deals with the legal aspects of your marriage as well as the religious and spiritual aspects. It is therefore vital that all of the formalities are completed and are accurate. Failure to ensure this may mean that the wedding cannot take place.

Banns

Banns of marriage are a legal requirement before marriage can take place. This means your names will be read out on three consecutive Sundays. It is your responsibility to make sure your banns are called and are correct. It is important that you attend all of the Sunday services that you banns are read. This is the 9.30 service at St. Mary’s and 11.15 at St. Leonard’s. You need to hear that the correct names and other details are read out. If any mistakes have been made you must speak to the person taking the service that day. If you both live in this parish banns will be read in this church only, however if you live in different parishes you will need to arrange for banns to be read in the parish where you live.

Banns in Other Churches

Even if you are a Methodist, Roman Catholic or any other denomination you must still go to your local Church of England Church. This is because the Church of England has a legal standing. Following the banns being read in another parish a certificate will be given to you. This needs to come to the parish office as soon as possible. Please note we cannot perform the marriage if we have not received the banns certificate.

Fees

Please note there will be an increase each year. Charges double if your wedding is on a Sunday.

The Collegiate Church of St Mary Stafford Wedding Fees 2011
Parochial Fees authorized by Parochial Fees orders:
Call of the Banns

£22.00
Service in Church and Marriage Certificate £265.50
Sub-total £287.50
Fees fixed by the incumbent and parties concerned: 
Bells £165.00
Organist £85.00
Choir £100.00
Flowers £110.00
Verger £50.00
Contribution towards the maintenance of the Church £100.00
Sub-total £610.00
TOTAL £897.50

A deposit of £50.00 is required on booking. 

Banns for marriage in another parish:

 

Calling of Banns

£22.00

Certificate

£12.00

Total

£34.00

 

 

Fee for Copy of Wedding Certificate

£9.00

 

 

 

 

 

It is not compulsory to have the bells, choir or flowers. The cost of Flowers is reduced to £30 if own flowers provided.

Fees are subject to review each January.

A Guide to filling in your Music Form

We aim to provide high quality live music.

Choir

A choir is usually available to sing at weddings. At some times of the year this may be difficult due to holidays so it is best to check with the Director of Music. A choir will assist in the singing of the hymns and help to avoid the feeling that nobody is singing.

Soloists

 It may be possible to arrange a solo singer. A trumpeter or other instruments may be available in addition to the organ.

Music before the service

Here or at any other points in the service you may wish to have special music played. Please discuss this well in advance with the organist. If you leave any area of the form blank the organist will use his own discretion.

Here are some suggestions:

At the entry of the bride:

  • Bridal March - Wagner

  • Trumpet Tune - Purcell

  • Trumpet Voluntary - Jeremiah Clarke

  • Trumpet Tune - John Stanley

Hymns:

  • Love Divine all loves excelling

  • O perfect love

  • Praise my soul the king of heaven

  • Praise the lord ye heavens adore him

  • Morning has broken

  • O Jesus I have promised

  • Praise to the Lord the almighty

  • Lead us, heavenly father, lead us

  • Father hear the prayer we offer

  • The King of Love my Shepherd is

  • All things bright and beautiful

  • Give me joy in my heart

    •

    It is usual to have three hymns during the service. (See order of service) If wish to have a hymn that is not in the hymn book you will need to provide the words and music. If you don’t know what to choose please speak to the clergy. It’s always worth remembering that the guests do need to know or be familiar with the hymns you choose or it will sound rather quiet especially if you choose to do without a choir.

    To speak to the Director of Music, Margaret Outen please ring 07982 734286 or speak to her after a service.

    Anthem:

    If the choir is requested they may be able to sing an anthem. Please discuss this with the Director of Music

    Suggestions for music during the signing of the registers:

    • Air from Suite in D - J.S. Bach

    • Selection from the Water Music - Handel

    • Trumpet Voluntary - John Stanley

    • Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach

    As the bride and groom process out:

    • Wedding March - Mendelssohn

    • Toccata from Symphony No.5 - Widor

    • Trumpet Tune  - Purcell

    • Trumpet Voluntary - Jeremiah Clarke

    • Trumpet Tune  - John Stanley

    Flowers

    If you would like to have special flowers for your wedding you are very welcome. We can provide them for you. You will need to contact the parish office to make sure the church is open if you use your own flower arrangers. Please note. All flowers except pew ends must be left in church for the Sunday services as we will not have time to replace them. If you are to marry during Lent or Advent all flowers must be removed after the service as flowers are not used in church at this time.