Getting Married

If you are recently engaged, our warmest congratulations to you both—we look forward to the privilege of sharing in your wedding day in one of our Parish Churches. Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting times in life, and we aim to make the church part of this process as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.

You should find the answers to most of your questions on this and the linked pages, but please feel free to contact us directly if we can be of further assistance.

We look forward to meeting you both in due course, and to working with you to ensure that you have the perfect wedding day.

In order to be married in Holy Trinity Church –

In order to be married in Church, you must satisfy the following requirements:-

1. One of you at least must be able to establish a Qualifying Connection with the parish, such as:
• You were baptised in the parish; or
• Had your confirmation entered in a church register book in the parish; or
• Has at any time lived in the parish for at least 6 months; or
• Has at any time regularly attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;

Or a Parent of that person:
• Has lived in the parish for at least 6 months; or
• Regularly attended public worship in the parish for at least 6 months;

Or a Parent or Grandparent of that person was married in the parish.

2. If one of you is living in a parish other than the one in which you wish to be married, you will need to arrange for banns to be read by the vicar of that parish, and obtain a banns certificate from him / her.

3. If either of you will not be 18 by the proposed date of the wedding, we will need to know that the consent of parents or guardians has been obtained.

4. You must not be related to each other.

5.If either of you have been through any form of marriage or civil partnership before, in this or any other country, it may still be possible to be married in church. Please do ring to discuss this with us as we would love to be able to help.

In addition, we require you to undergo Marriage Preparation. Please note that our aim is:
• not to judge your values or views, but to help you discuss them together.
• not to tell you how to have a happy marriage, but to offer tips which may help you to make your marriage as happy as it can be.
• Please see separate sheet for full details

Please note that, if you qualify to be married here, you may also wish to consider being married in our sister churches in South Stoke & Monkton Combe.
All enquiries and requests for an application form may be made to the Combe Down Church Office, which is open on weekday mornings, tel. 01225 835835 (24 hour answering service); or contact Jane Bradby.

BELLS

Are only available at St Michael’s, Monkton Combe.

FLOWERS

When you have made arrangements for the flowers for your wedding, please contact the appropriate person below to notify them of the arrangements:

Combe Down Church Office (01225 835835)
Monkton Combe Mrs Nan Kelly (01225 835204)
South Stoke Mrs Elsie Barber (01225 837321)

WEDDING PREPARATION

We highly recommend our wedding preparation day with us, (<click here> for more information).

ORDER OF SERVICE

A printed order of service, containing hymns and essential details is strongly recommended. Do remember that this is your day, and we will encourage you to make it as personal to you and your families as possible, within the legal requirements. For example, you may wish to invite a family member or friend to read a lesson, or to lead the prayers. You will wish to choose hymns, readings and perhaps prayers that have significance for you. (see hymns, music and reading recommendations <click here>).One of the clergy will discuss the service and music with you when we meet.

ORGANIST

One of our Church Organists will normally be available to play for your wedding. Permission is required if you wish to have another organist, in which case the parish organist fee is still payable.

Combe Down David Date (01225 837822)
Monkton Combe Michael Lunt (01225 832091)
South Stoke Geoff Ditcham (01225 832441)

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO RECORDING

Discreet professional photography—although no flash—is permitted during the service if you so wish. Video recording is allowed, but the organist’s fee is doubled for reasons of music copyright (see fees <click here>). In addition, if you are using a camcorder you will need to arrange to obtain a licence (available from http://www.videolicence.co.uk/ or tel: 01323 436111).