GETTING MARRIED?
We strongly encourage you to look at the Church of England’s wedding website, which has lots of good ideas and guidance.
Here are a few hints and tips to make your wedding at St Faith’s as enjoyable as possible…
Your Legal Right to be married in St Faith’s
You don’t have to be a Christian, or even a churchgoer, to get married in your local parish church. By law, everyone who lives within the parish boundary, or has another qualifying connection with the parish. See the map at the bottom of this page to check whether one of you lives in the parish. Or use this link to check via your postcode.
A Christian Service?
The service will be a Christian wedding, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England. (This includes the legal vows, and prayers of blessing). But we want you to feel as comfortable as possible within that context. There is a great deal that we can do to make your day individual to you, whatever your background and beliefs – including lots of creativity around how the church looks, what music you choose, the inclusion of special friends (or even pets!), the readings and pretty much everything else!
Wedding Blessings
Please note that we are generally more than happy to conduct weddings for divorcees (understanding that life can be complicated). Some couples prefer a wedding blessing, following a ‘civil wedding’ – essentially a service in which we celebrate the new partnership, and pray for God’s blessing on the couple. We are happy to discuss either a wedding or a blessing.
We very much regret that present Church of England law prevents us from conducting weddings for same-sex couples. However, we would be delighted to have a conversation with any such couple about what would be possible within the boundaries of the law, after a ‘civil wedding’ ceremony.
Naming the Date
Before doing anything else the date and time of your wedding must be arranged. You can make enquiries in church after Sunday worship (at 9.30am or 6pm) or contact the Parish Office – Pauline West (023 9249 2129) or email: office@stfaith.com. Alternatively, please note that there is a coffee morning in St. Faith’s on the first Saturday in the month between 10am and 12-noon, where clergy are usually available for a chat about your special day.
Once we have your details, we will send you an application form to fill in and return.
You will receive a confirming letter after you have made the booking.
The Banns
The Banns must be read in any Church of England Parish Church involved (even if you have a Roman Catholic or Free Church background). Banns cannot be read until three months before your wedding, and must be read in each Parish Church where the parties live. This may mean going to the other Vicar(s) involved and hearing the banns read on at least one of three successive Sundays. They do not have to be read out on the same day in each church. Your wedding cannot take place unless the priest who is marrying you has your Banns certificate beforehand.
The Interview
The priest who will perform your ceremony will meet with you, no less than one month before the day (earlier appointments can be arranged if you are anxious to get the discussion started about creative options). He or she will chat about what you want from your day, trying to accommodate your preferences as much as possible. Together, you will think about what music, readings, poems, musicians that you might want, and also spend some time thinking about the importance of marriage itself.
Rehearsal
We will offer you a rehearsal (lasting around thirty minutes) in the church to get the footwork right, before the wedding (usually the evening before). The bride and the groom are essential for this, but the best man, bridesmaids and parents are much appreciated. Banns certificates from other churches and fees will be received at the rehearsal.
What will it cost for a wedding in St. Faith’s Church?
These are legal fees, set nationally for all churches. Sadly, we have little room for manoeuvre. But in exceptional circumstances, some or all of the fees can be waived after discussion with the Rector (who must seek permission from the Archdeacon)
For 2024 the costs are:
- Calling of banns (£36), wedding service (£531). marriage certificate (£18):
- Total Basic Wedding Cost: £585.
- Please make cheques payable to PCC of St. Faith
Please note that these legal fees are not chargeable for a wedding blessing.
Optional fees in addition to Basic Cost:
- Organist: £80.
- Choir: £100
- Bells: £150.
- Flowers: £50 (one pedestal: see below).
- There is an additional charge for video recording inside the church and a charge for heating during the winter months.
Please note that should you live in the Parish and require your banns to be read in St. Faith’s but are getting married in another church, the cost is £54 (that is, £36 for the reading of the banns plus £18 for the certificate) – see below.
All fees must be settled in full at least one month before the wedding takes place.
What about the flowers?
Our flower artists expertly arrange flowers in the church each week. If you wish for additional arrangements, we are happy for you to arrange for this with your florist.
Photographs/Videos?
We generally encourage your congregation not to take photos during the service (leaving that to your professional photographer). We want everyone to be entirely present for your special ceremony, not watching you through a tiny screen! Your professional is responsiblity for ensuring that all licensing requirements have been met.
Hymns
It is usual to have a hymn of praise at the beginning, a hymn of dedication in the middle, after the sermon, and a hymn of looking forward to the future at the end. The exact arrangement and number of hymns is negotiable – two or three hymns is normal. Choose hymns that your families and friends will know. Familiar, cheerful hymns will set the tone of the whole wedding day. We have a hymnbook covering most styles of music. You are free to borrow hymn and service books to decide. Alternatively, you could choose to sing popular songs which fit the theme of the day. Your priest will have the final say, because ultimately this will be a church wedding. But, how about ‘All you need is Love?’!
Organ Music
The organist will play suitable music before and after the service (like a great big fanfare when the bride enters the church!), and during the signing of the register. If you wish, you are welcome to provide your own musicians of any kind, but full organist’s fees are still payable to the church (as they form part of the remuneration package of the church organist) and permission must first be sought.
Printed Order of Service
You are welcome to design your own order of Service, though your priest will be glad to help you with this. Rough proofs of the order of service should be agreed with the priest who will preside over the ceremony.
But most importantly
This will be YOUR special day. As far as the boundaries of the law and good taste permit, we will work with you to make it as memorable and special as possible!
Canon Tom Kennar
Rector
For an inside tour (somewhat out of date), street view and photographs – click here
St. Faith Church Boundaries
Please note that banns of marriage is generally offered to parish residents (or regular church members) within the parish boundaries
To check whether you live within the boundaries please go to the Church of England website at https://www.achurchnearyou.com/ and put in your post code – this will tell you which parish you live in
See also:
http://www.churchofengland.org/weddings-baptisms-funerals/weddings.aspx
For visitors outside the parish please click on the following link for information on directions to Havant