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We are looking forward to sharing in
your wedding and hope that all your plans go smoothly.
This page outlines some of the details you will need to
know about the arrangements for the church service.Booking
your Wedding
To book your wedding you need to complete an
Application Form at the Vicarage next to the
Church. This can be done any Tuesday evening
between 6.30-7.30pm. You may choose the date and
time of your convenience, subject to the
availability of the Church.
If you find you need to change the time or the
date, please tell the Vicar as soon as possible
and we will do our best to accommodate you. If
for any reason you decide to cancel your wedding
please let us know straight away.
Calling of Banns
Your banns have to be read at St Matthews on
three successive Sundays within three months of
your marriage. We usually call them at the
beginning of the 9am Holy Communion Service and
it is a good idea to come and hear them read
although this is not essential. Normally we will
arrange the dates for this with you.
Where your fiancé lives in another parish you
must also arrange to have banns read in that
church. Even if your fiancé belongs to another
denomination the banns must be read in his or her
local Anglican (Church of England) church. You
will need to see the local Vicar or Rector who
will complete a form and make the arrangements.
He will charge you the set fee for this (the 2004
fee is £27).
After he has called your banns you need to
collect a Banns Certificate from him. We MUST
have this certificate before we can proceed with
the wedding.
The Service
FLOWERS: You may of course ask a florist to
decorate the church according to your own
personal preference and a suitable time would
have to be arranged when this could happen. When
you have chosen a florist please ask them to
contact the Verger Mr Ronnie Farrell at 228210.
MUSIC: The Vicar will be happy to discuss which
hymns and music you would like and can advise you
if that is helpful. If you would like to discuss
your wishes with the Director of Music, Mrs Sue
Gordon (Tel 214955) she would normally be able to
spare a few minutes following the Thursday Choir
Practice at 8pm. Sometimes couples decide that
they would like to have an Order of Service
printed for their guests. If you would like to do
this the Vicar can show you some examples of
previous services to guide you.
CHOIR: Our church is fortunate in having a small
adult and children’s robed choir who are
usually available for weddings (except weekdays
and during school holidays). Please give as much
prior notice as you can if you would like them to
sing at your wedding.
PHOTOGRAPHS: The ‘official’
photographer will need to see the Vicar before
the service. Professionals are usually very
experienced and can carry out their task with the
minimum of fuss and distraction to the couple.
However, we ask that no-one else take photographs
during the service.
VIDEOS: For reason of copyright on the service
and hymns we must know in advance if there is to
be a video recording made in church. The
recordist needs to sign a Disclaimer Agreement
and a fee of £25 is charged for this.
COLLECTION: No collection will be taken during
the service but there will be a plate near the
door for any of your guests who wish to make a
contribution towards the work of the church.
REHEARSAL: The Vicar will arrange a rehearsal a
week or so before your wedding. It is important
for Best Man and Bridesmaids to be present,
together with other family if you wish.
FEES: Wedding fees are laid down by the Church
Commissioners and ‘extras’ such as the
choir by the Parochial Church Council. They are
revised annually on 1st January. The current fees
(2004) are as follows:
The basic cost is £359 which includes service
and minister, organ and organist, verger, choir,
calling of banns, Marriage Certificate, etc.
However, there are other optional items such as
permission to make a video recording in church,
aisle lanterns, red carpet etc. which bring the
potential cost to £444.
If you have any further questions please contact the
Vicar, the Revd Bob Pearson on Tel 01942 222121, Fax
01942 211332 or email:
| Vicar |
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stmatthewhighfield.org.uk |
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