Weddings
We are delighted that you are thinking of getting married in St Peter’s Worfield, A church wedding offers you more than just a venue for your wedding; it offers a spiritual and personal experience for you to make this your memorable day. It offers practical care and concern for the whole of your married life together.
A comprehensive overview of Church of England Weddings can be found at
https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding.
Legal requirements
Ideally one of you will be a Worfield resident and a regular member of the congregation which means you can readily get married in the church. If you do not live in the parish to be married in a Church of England church you need to be able to fulfil at least one of these ‘Qualifying Connections’
In order
• Live in the parish of St Peter’s Worfield
• Be a son or daughters of those living in the parish and the families who regularly attend public worship here at the parish church
• Be a regular church attenders of Worfield Church who don't live in the parish
• You were Baptised (Christened) in this church
• If you were prepared for confirmation in this church
• If you during your lifetime have lived in the parish for 6 months or more
• If your parents or grandparents were married in this church.
If none of the above apply, you can create a qualifying connection by regular attending the parish church for Sunday Worship at 10.00 each Sunday once or twice a month for at least six months.
Divorced couples may be married in church. You will also need to have written legal proof that any divorce decree is absolute (a decree nisi will not be sufficient). A ‘Marriage in Church after Divorce’ form will need completing. You will then meet with the Vicar. Do bear in mind that the Vicar is legally entitled to decide whether to marry you.
Same sex couples cannot be legally married in church. If you wish to have your union blessed then please contact us
If you would like to find out more please press the button:
Practicalities
Please remember that St Peter’ Church is part of the community and is used for range of services and activities.
Weddings can be booked to take place on a Tuesday through to Saturday. Exceptions are the week before Easter or from December 20th to the first Sunday in January.
First steps
The first thing you need to do is contact the Vicar either using our contact us page or coming to a service on a Sunday at 10.00AM.
You will be asked what date you have in mind. This is a provisional date as dates are only confirmed about six months before the date
You will both be invited to meet with the Vicar. You will each be asked for some basic details so that initial form-filling can be completed. Each of you will also be asked to provide proof of identity (e.g. a passport, picture driving licence etc) and proof of address (e.g. a utility bill, bank statement etc). If all is in order you will then be asked to pay a deposit. Unfortunately we do not have the facility to process credit or debit cards so payment needs to be by cash or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Worfield P.C.C.
If there are any changes in your contact details then please let the Parish Office know as soon as possible.
Contact from the church before the wedding service
About three months before your wedding the vicar will contact you both to meet to discuss the wedding preparations and details. It is helpful to have considered such things as the hymns and readings you would like. Also if you are planning to have flowers and a photographer and/or videographer.
Banns of Marriage
Banns of Marriage are the public declaration of an intended marriage and therefore give anyone in the parish the opportunity to object to it if they have just grounds. Banns are called automatically at the 10.00 a.m. service on the first three successive Sundays at least two months before the wedding. You should both endeavour to attend at least one of the services when your banns are being read.
If one or both of you do not live in Worfield, then your banns will also need to be called in the parish or parishes in which you live. You can find your ‘Parish of Residence’ via (https://www.achurchnearyou.com/) You will need to contact the Vicar who will arrange for your banns to be called on payment of the relevant statutory fee. This should be done at least four months before your wedding. After the third reading of your banns you will be given a certificate which will be required by our Parish Office at least one week before your wedding.
Service Format
The service usually lasts about 45 minutes
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Music before the service
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Bridal March
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Welcome
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1st Hymn
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Declarations
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The Marriage Collect
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Reading(s): (One reading must be from the bible)
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Address
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[optional 2nd Hymn]
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The Marriage
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The Vows
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The giving of Rings
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The proclamation
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The Blessing of the Marriage
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Signing the Marriage Document
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2nd /3rd Hymn
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Prayers
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The Dismissal
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Wedding March
Witnesses
Two people over the age of 18 are required to sign your marriage document. They can be anyone of your choosing. Please let the vicar know their names before the ceremony.
Flowers
Flowers can be placed in the church for the service and either taken down afterwards for the reception or left.
We ask that arrangements are limited to about two and are kept simple. Biodegradable materials, not oasis should be used as this is particularly toxic to the environment.
If you wish to decorate the lynch gate at the front of the church, please arrange for the flowers to be removed the following day
Music
Music plays an important part in the service. St Peter’ s has an organist who can be contacted to play at the wedding (Oliver Clarke tel: 07545756869).
Usually there are two or three hymns at a wedding which you can choose.
Instrumental music usually features on four occasions in a wedding service.
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Before the ceremony starts
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When the bride arrives
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When the register is being signed
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When you both walk down the aisle
Photography/video
The photographer and/or videographer should ensure they introduce themselves to the vicar before the ceremony.
Generally, there are five points when photographs can be taken.
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Before the service
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As the bride begins the bridal procession (from the church door).
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During the ceremony photographs can be taken provided no flash is used and that they are taken from the back of church.
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After the register has been signed
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As the wedding procession leaves the church.
A video of the ceremony can be taken from the back of the church, and a static unmanned camera can be placed near the front of the church by arrangement with the minister.
Bells
Bells can only be rung on a Saturday. If you would like the bell ringers please discuss when you meet with the vicar. There is a additional charge for this.
Confetti
We ask that confetti are biodegradable and not thrown in church only in the church grounds.
Parking
At the weekend there is a school car park that can be used and some limited parking on the road and behind the church.
Children
Children are welcome at weddings. There is a room at the back of the church if a quieter area is needed for them. Children need to be supervised by an adult at all times
Animals
Assistance dogs, to assist members of the congregation or the wedding couple are always welcome. Some families also have beloved pets that they want to be present in the church for the ceremony. The animal needs to be well behaved and in the care of someone other than the couple. It is not appropriate for the animal to take any part in the ceremony in any way.
Retiring Collection
A retiring collection plate will be placed at the back of the church if people wish to contribute to the work of the church, with Gift Aid envelopes available for those who pay tax.
More information to help you plan your church wedding can be found at: https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding