Bethersden with High Halden - Weddings

KEY IMPORTANT DATE - WEDDING CONFERENCE

All couples wishing to be married in 2010 MUST attend the Conference on Saturday 13th February 0930-1pm. You must bring proof of Identity and British Residence to the Conference - either birth certificate or passport, and one of these: utility bill (addressed to you) or driving licence Please make sure you keep this date clear.

Do visit this link Marriage Service Preface to see what Marriage is all about (an extract from the Marriage Service).

Getting married

As Vicar, I'm delighted that you wish to get married - and that you want us to celebrate with you.

As from 1 October 2008 the Church of England Marriage Measure states that a person may be married in our churches if they were baptised in this parish; or had his/her confirmation entered in the church register book; or has at any time had his/her usual place of residence in the parish for at least six months; or has at any time habitually attended public worship at either St Margaret's or St Mary's for at least six months; or if your parent has at any time during your lifetime had his/her usual place of residence in the parish for at least six months; or has habitually attended public worship for at least six months; or if one of your parents or grandparents was married in this parish.

To find out which Church of England parish you live in try the following website: www.acny.org.uk/parishmap.php

If a licence is required, one party must be baptised. In order to join the Church Electoral Roll you need to have been baptised/christened. Please talk to the clergy if you think you have not been baptised

Booking your Wedding

In the first place download, complete, and return the initial contact form . Please note our standard terms and conditions apply. You should read the terms and conditions before coming to the Wedding Conference.

We will respond with details of the next steps.

The cost of a wedding

We can usually arrange for an organist, a choir, and a team of bellringers to be available. The fee charged depends
on the combination of facilities you ask for. In 2010 the average will be around Ł620. However, it is possible to be married for as little as Ł350. If you need help with the cost, you may apply to the Vicar in confidence for assistance from charitable sources.The fees for the New Year are not normally finalised until December.

Banns of marriage

These will be called automatically but if one party is not resident in the parish banns must also be called in the parish where they reside. It is the responsibility of those getting married to arrange this and to obtain a Certificate of Calling which is given to the Clergy. (Banns are only current for three months and without a valid certificate a marriage cannot take place.) In certain circumstances banns are inadmissible (e.g. If one party is a foreign national). Discuss this when you book your wedding. More information on Banns below for those being married elsewhere but wanting Banns called in the Parish.

Service details

These will be discussed at the Wedding Conference (date above) with the clergy. There are two forms of service available, one uses traditional language, the other modem language, (both offer the choice of including the word 'obey' in the brides promise). You should also choose Organ music for the beginning and end of the service and two or three hymnsto be sung during the service.

Rehearsal

In the week before the wedding we like to go through the service with you. (Others need not attend.) Rehearsals are normally held at 5pm on Thursdays immediately before the Saturday of the wedding.

Service Sheets

These are not necessary but if you are producing them please submit your copy to us for checking before you place the order with your printer. (see below for outline) On the wedding day please let us have 6 copies of the printed order of service for organist, choir and the vicar.

Questions may be dealt with by e-mail. Our e-mail address is:- simon@localvicar.com

Banns

If you are getting and married at another church and want us to read your banns then please download the form (follow link). Just complete the sections marked with an asterisk and return it to me at The Vicarage, Bull Lane, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent TN26 3HA with a cheque payable to S Foulkes for Ł34.00

please let us have the following information by email:

Full names of bride and groom and address(es) including post code(s)

Date and place of your wedding, including the name of the church where you will be married
The dates you want us to read your banns - this has to be three consecutive Sundays, and we shall read your banns at the start of our morning service.

At the same time as you email the form, make a PayPal payment of Ł34.00 to simon@localvicar.com (using the PayPal button below). I will respond within 48 hours to confirm arrangements (holidays and health permitting)

Finally - for those planning their Wedding Service:

Basic Order of Service for a Wedding

Music at the Entrance of the Bride

(e.g. Bridal March [Lohengrin] - Richard Wagner)

Opening Hymn (printed in full)

The Introduction

Hymn - printed in full -

The Marriage

Reading(s) from the Bible

Address
NB if you have three Hymns, the second Hymn goes here (printed in full)

The Prayers (please

include the Lord's Prayer, text printed out in full)

Hymn (printed in full)

The Blessing

The signing of the Registers

(details of music if desired)
Music for the exit of Bride and Groom
(e.g. Wedding March - F. Mendelssohn)