Welcome! I am delighted that you are thinking of getting married
and even more delighted that you have chosen to get married in church.
My wife Ann and I got married in Church more than 25 years ago and
more recently I have presided at my daughter's wedding. Both were
very memorable, great fun and very important. A Christian Marriage
Service offers the opportunity for a real family and community celebration.
Getting married in Church means that you have the opportunity to
reflect on what marriage is really all about. As we prepare the
details of hymns and flowers and so on we shall also be able to
get to know one another and to discuss things at quite a deep level.
Down the years you will both be able to look back on your Wedding
Day as a great celebration and also as a time when you both committed
yourselves wholeheartedly to one another in the sight of God. As
we go through all the preparations you will be prayed for by the
whole Church family and each year there will be an invitation to
return for a special service of prayer for all who have been married
in our Church. I hope that these notes will give you all the basic
information and support you need but if you have any problems do
get in touch with me. I am very happy that you should use these
notes to help you even if you are not getting married at Gosforth
Parish Church!
Philip.
Checklist for a Church wedding
Contents
Banns
Music
Flowers
Order of service
Ushers, bridesmaids, seating etc.
Photographs and videos
Other details
Fees
Rehearsal
Banns- reading your name out in Church
see the Vicar and fill out the banns form
if one of you live in another parish see the Vicar of that church
as well and fill out a banns form there
arrange the dates of the banns being read.
try to come to church on the three Sundays when your banns are
being read in Gosforth Parish church - you will feel much more
"at home" on your wedding day if you have worshipped
with us regularly.
collect the banns certificate from the other parish (there will
be a fee to pay) and make sure you give it to me - you cannot
be married without it!
Music
You do not HAVE to have any music at all!
We have a splendid choir and a marvellous organ - but both choir
and organist do have to be booked well in advance - the choir
is not always available.