Booking a Wedding
View a sample order of service
Wedding flower arrangements
Wedding Music
Wedding Readings
PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE CHURCH’S WEDDINGS POLICY
Who can get married at St Robert’s?
The Church of England has special rules regarding who can get married in a local church. These rules changed in October 2008 to make it easier to get married in a church with which you have a connection. If you currently live in the parish or you used to live in the parish for more than 6 months, if you were baptised or confirmed in the parish or if your parents or grandparents were married in the parish, then you have a qualifying connection with the church. You are also able to get married in a church where you have been worshiping regularly for over 6 months.
We will consider remarrying divorcees, depending upon their particular circumstances. If either of you is divorced you will need to arrange a meeting with the Vicar before booking a wedding.
How do I book a wedding?
To book a date contact the church office (01423 873577) between 9.30 and 12.30 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, or email: admin@strobertschurch.co.uk
We will arrange to meet you, complete an “Application for Banns” and give you more information. We do require a non-returnable deposit of £50 at this stage.
To avoid disappointment this should be done before booking your reception. Please note we do not conduct weddings on Sundays and the availability of choristers and bell-ringers is less certain on weekdays.
What happens next?
About three months before the service, we ask you to contact us again to arrange a meeting with the Vicar, a rehearsal, and to begin planning the order of service. If your banns are being published (the most usual preliminary for church weddings) you will also need to contact the Vicar of any other parish in which one or both of you lives. They will also arrange to read your banns within three months of the ceremony and issue you with a certificate that this has been done. Please note the marriage cannot take place without this certificate.
What happens in the service?
The service usually lasts about ½ – ¾ hour. It will include readings, prayers and hymns, vows will be exchanged, the registers signed and a blessing given. There can be between one and three hymns (two is usual) and you may wish to choose the music for the entry of the bride, the signing of the register and the procession out at the end . One Bible reading needs to be included. A second reading can be added, either from the Bible or another source. If a non–Biblical reading is chosen, this must be approved by the Vicar in advance. To see a selection of appropriate music please click here and for readings please click here
What “Order of Service” do we need?
Many couples arrange for an “Order of Service” to be printed along with other wedding stationery. Otherwise, the Church can produce a simple, personalised, service sheet for a small additional cost. If you are arranging the printing ensure that you send us a draft and receive approval of the wording before printing. The Wedding Service includes a number of passages for the congregation to join in and these need to be included. For a sample Order of Service please click here
What about flowers?
We ask that you leave a least one arrangement in Church for the Sunday Services. For more information on flowers at your wedding please click here
View a sample order of service
Wedding flower arrangements
Wedding Music
Wedding Readings