Home » Occasions

Occasions

Marriage

Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage!

These notes are designed to help you with some of the questions you may have as you plan and prepare for your wedding day.

Marriage in Church - You are entitled to be married at St.Michael & All Angels if you live in the parish of Pirbright, or have recently moved away but your parents live here, or are on the Church electoral roll. On October 1st 2008, new laws were brought in allowing marriage in a Church other than your parish Church if you have a connection with that Church. For details regarding the new law, contact the parish priest, or see Church of England website www.cofe.anglican.org/marriagemeasure/

Booking the Church - As soon as you have decided which date you would like to be married, contact the parish priest to see whether the Church is available. An appointment will then be made for you both to meet with the minister to discuss your plans.

Legal requirements - You must have your banns of marriage read out in church on three Sundays during the three months before your wedding. You will be told the dates on which your banns will be read well in advance, which will be during the 10.15am service. It is important that you should try and attend to verify that the details are correct. Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as the church in which you are to be married. (In some cases there are alternatives to banns - see the Church of England website or speak to the parish priest.)

What kind of service? - You can choose to have a modern language service or one in more traditional language, talk over the options with the parish priest when you meet. There are one or more readings from the Bible, and may be readings/poems from other sources also. There will be some prayers, which you may want to choose, or write your own.

Choice of music - There are usually two or three hymns during a marriage service, you may already know which you wish to have; if not, the minister and/or church organist will be happy to advise you. You will also need to choose music for coming in, going out, and during the signing of the registers. Do ask for help choosing music if you need it.

If you have friends or family you would like to be involved in the service, by reading, playing a musical instrument, or singing, do discuss this with the parish priest in advance.

Organist - Our resident organist, Mr Alan Winn, normally plays for weddings if he is available. If you wish someone else to play, it will need to be with his agreement, and as is usual, the resident organist would still be paid the normal fee.

Flowers in church - Decorating the church can be an important part of your celebrations. There will always be at least one pedestal arrangement in church. If you would like the church decorated more elaborately, you may wish to contact Mrs Elizabeth Barralet on 01483 473737, who is a local professional florist. If you wish to engage another florist, please tell the parish priest who has a list of guidelines to assist you.

Church Bells - There is a fine peal of bells at St. Michael & All Angels. Our bellringers are happy to ring as a couple leave the church after their wedding. Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like the bells to be rung.

What about photographs? - It is important that you should have a record of your special day; taking photographs is permissible, but no flash photography during the service. Your photographer should arrive in time to speak to the parish priest before the service.

Can the guests throw confetti? - There are many varieties of dried petal confetti available now, which is preferable, but other bio-degradable kinds are also permissible. Please no foil varieties! Confetti looks very pretty at a wedding and we are happy for guests to throw it beyond the lychgate.

Parking - Please ask your guests to arrange to park nearby as there is very little parking outside the church.

*********************

Marriage fees from 1st January 2009 The Marriage service: Includes fees for The Diocese; Pirbright Parochial church council; Publication of banns in this parish; Marriage certificate.

TOTAL: £378.00

Payable by 1 month before the date of your marriage please, cheque made out to: St.Michael & All Angels PCC

Optional Extras: Organist (payable on the day to Mr A.Winn) £60.00. Bells (payable in cash on the day) £100.00

********************

I hope that this leaflet is helpful for you. May God bless you as you continue your marriage preparations and planning. To book your wedding, and if you have any queries, please contact:The Revd. Chris Musser, The Vicarage, The Green, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0JE. Tel: 01483 473332. or email: revdchrismusser@aol.com