Weddings

It’s great that you are planning to get married. Please look at the general information about getting married in the Church of England. If you would like to get married at Christ Church, then one of our ministers would love to meet you to chat about your plans. Please Contact Us to arrange a meeting. We will need make sure you fulfil the legal requirements to be married at Christ Church. In particular, you are legally required to have a connection with the church or church parish area. You must both be aged 18 or over; and one of you must fall into one of these categories:

lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months,
been baptised in the parish,
been prepared for confirmation in the parish,
have at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months,
one of your parents lived in the parish for at least 6 months at any time after you were born,
one of your parents has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for at least 6 months at any time after you were born,
one of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish.

If you don’t fall into any of these categories, you will have to apply to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a special licence to get married at Christ Church. Without one we are not allowed to marry you.

Banns

Banns are a somewhat quaint way of asking whether anyone present in public worship knows any legal reason why you should not be married. They need to be read within three months of the wedding, on three consecutive Sundays, and at that time we will also pray for you as you get ready for married life.

Preparation

There will be lots of practical preparations for your wedding. If you are going to get married at Christ Church, then we want to help you prepare for married life together and help you put strong foundations in place. So we will invite you to come to some informal meetings when we can help you think through some of the challenges of married life. Because you have chosen a church wedding, we will also want to explain more about the Christian faith and the difference this can mean to life now, both single and married, and in eternity.

Wedding Fees

Set Fees for 2025

Publication of banns of marriage: £37 (applies to each church concerned)
Certificate of banns issued at time of publication: £19 (applies to each church concerned)
Marriage Service in church: £544

Optional Fees

Verger*: £60
Organist (if available): £60
Music band member: £20 each
Sound desk**: £25
Computer operator/livestream**: £25
Heating: £100
Printing of Service Booklets: from £40

*The Verger sets up and cleans the building so it’s well prepared for the service, helps welcome people and deals with any behind-the-scenes practical issues, and then following the service resets the building. We strongly recommend paying for a Verger to take the pressure off the family and to ensure a smooth running service.

**The sound desk & computer operators will provide amplification for speakers, recording of the service, and project/play any CDs/DVDs/pictures you would like before, during or after the service.

Reception
If you would like to hire our halls for a reception afterwards, then you may do so providing there are no other planned events that day. See here. Caterers can be recommended.