St Robert’s, Pannal – Weddings Policy
This document sets out the essential elements and procedures of our Weddings Policy.
Wedding Application
We are delighted to offer our church as somewhere couples would like their wedding to take place and we aim to do all we can to encourage and assist couples in their wedding plans.
Further details about weddings in the Parish can be accessed here
Further information about marriage in the Church of England can be found here
Legal Requirements
Couples are able to marry in church providing that (at least) one of the couple:
- has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
- was baptised in the parish concerned or
- was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
- has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or
That one of their parents, at any time after they were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
- has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or
That one of their parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish
If they have moved into the parish they are automatically immediately connected to the church, which means they can marry in the church of the new parish.
In all cases involving church services – i.e. going to normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage – this applies only to Church of England services.
Please note that re-marriage after divorce is possible at the discretion of the Vicar or officiating priest in accordance with the Bishop of Ripon’s guidelines.
How to apply
Enquiries are made in the first instance via our Parish Administrator or direct with one of the clergy team who will check the qualifying criteria and make a note of the preferred date. Thereafter, one of the clergy will be in touch with the couple to arrange to meet to verify residency and citizenship (please note that this is a legal requirement). At this meeting, the clergy will supply a Marriage Application Form, an information booklet and fee schedule, and they will confirm the date of the wedding.
Supporting Documentation
In order to complete a Marriage Application Form, couples are required to bring the following documentation with them to the preliminary meeting with the Vicar:
- Birth Certificate / Passport
- Proof of residency (driving licence, utility bill, council tax bill, bank statement date no older than 3 months)
- Decree Absolute in the case of divorced persons
The Calling of Banns
Banns are called at the main Sunday service of the relevant church(es). Banns are generally called for three consecutive Sundays, two months prior to the month of the wedding. Couples are encouraged to come to their church(es) to hear their banns read.
It is a legal requirement that banns are published in the parish of residence of both the bride and groom as well as in the parish of the marrying church. It is the responsibility of the couple to ensure that banns are published in the respective parish churches. Couples should contact the parish priest of that parish at least 4 months prior to the wedding date to arrange the calling of banns. When the banns have been read and completed, couples will need to collect a banns certificate and hand it to the Vicar, or priest conducting the service, at least a fortnight before the wedding.
Cost of Banns
The statutory Church of England Parochial fee is charged by each parish for the calling of banns (including the banns certificate). The cost of this is on the fee schedule, and should be paid to all churches where the banns are published
Deposit
To secure a booking, couples are asked to pay a non-refundable deposit of £50. The deposit will be deducted from the final invoice prior to the wedding.
What will the wedding cost?
There is a basic statutory fee for the Service and the Marriage Certificate, and additional charges depending on couple’s requirements, eg, organist, choir, etc. Please note that the wedding fees must be paid in full within 3 months of the wedding date.
Please see the fee schedule for information on costs. Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase by the Church Commissioners.
Retiring Collection
There will be a retiring collection at the service for the church’s ministry and mission.
Marriage Preparation
The Vicar, or priest conducting the service, will generally visit the couple at home around three months prior to the wedding date to finalise details for the Order of Service and to prepare the couple for Christian marriage. This usually takes around one and a half hours.
Flowers
If couples would like to have flowers in church, they must arrange a suitable time for florists to come into the church to meet with the Flower Co-Ordinator. During certain periods we ask for floral displays to be removed immediately after the wedding (e.g. Lent and Advent).
Music
Getting the right music for the wedding is very important. The Vicar and/or the Director of Music/Organist will be able to discuss and help select appropriate music and hymns You may also wish to take a look at the Church of England website:
Our own church website and the booklet also have some suggestions from our Organist.
Photographs in Church
PLEASE READ THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY
The church provides a beautiful setting for weddings. So as to avoid the intrusion and distraction of photography, we ask photographers/videographers not to interfere with the smooth running of the service. On no account must the photographer be in the Chancel (i.e. behind the officiant). During the signing of the registers the photographer will be invited into the Chapter House/vestry. Flash photography is not permitted. Whilst we want you to get some wonderful pictures as a reminder of your special day, we don’t want the photographer to be the main attraction.
Video cameras are permitted inside the Church and the officiant will discuss where they can be sited. Please note that, to comply with performance rights, there is an additional fee for the use of video cameras (see fee schedule).
The use of drones outside of the church is permitted so long as they have the necessary permits/licences to operate them in the area.
Signed by Revd John Smith on behalf of the PCC Date: