Life events - Marriage
If you would like to make arrangements for a marriage then please contact Rev Andy - contact details are on the home page.
Who can get married at All Saints church?
You are welcome to be married at All Saints if just one of the following applies;
- One of you lives in the parish
- One of you was baptised in or prepared for confirmation in the parish.
- One of you has at any time regularly attended public worship in the parish for six months or more
- One of your parents has lived in the parish for six months or more in your lifetime
- One of your parents had regularly attended public worship on the parish for six months or more in your lifetime
- One of your parents or grandparents were married in the parish
If you can provide evidence that you fulfil one of the above criteria you will be married at All Saints by banns. This means your intention to get married is announced on three consecutive Sundays in the months prior to your wedding. If one of you lives elsewhere you will also need to get your banns read in that parish in the three months before the wedding.
When this has happened you collect a certificate which you pass on to All Saints' confirming that the banns have been read and that there has been no legal objection to your marriage.
What about marriage after divorce?
If one of you has been married before and has a former spouse still living it may be possible for you to get married at All Saints. The Church of England requires that all couples in this situation answer various questions when they meet the minister. The questions will be sent to you prior to the meeting; it is only after this that a decision is made.
What do we need to do next?
If you think you are eligible to get married at All Saints please Rev Andy in the first instance who will organise a meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to check your eligibility to get married at All Saints, to complete the paperwork, to book the wedding, to get to know you, to explain what the church will be offering you now and in the future and to confirm by how you will be married.
Marriage preparation
After your initial meeting with the minister you and all other couples for your year will be invited to a marriage preparation day. This is organised by the Southam Deanery. The focus of the day is on your marriage which is a lifetime rather than on your wedding which is forty minutes.
About three months before your wedding we will contact you to arrange a meeting with whoever is conducting the service. This time the focus is on your wedding, as we think about the meaning of the words you are going to say and go through the Order of Service. At your first appointment you will have received a draft Order of Service to base yours on.
On the Thursday or FRiday evening before your wedding there is usually a rehearsal for the couple, the best man, the bridesmaids and whoever is giving the bride away.
Where can I find out more?
You can find out more about weddings on the Church of England website here.