Christian Marriage

Marriage is a gift of God and a symbol of God’s unending love for God’s people. It is a lifelong partnership uniting a man and a woman in heart, mind and body. It is a relationship in which a couple’s love for each other is deepened and enriched by all the experiences of life shared together – joy, hardship, celebration and grief, and the everyday activities of living.

The marriage relationship is one that is upheld within the context of community. The married couple becomes a symbol of fidelity, love and commitment to those around them; and family and friends support, care for and enrich the married couple. Through marriage a new family is formed where children may be born and nurtured.

In the Christian faith we believe that God is the giver and sustainer of life and love and that the Spirit of Christ binds us together. The journey of marriage, therefore, is not only one of love, but one of faith.

God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4:16

First steps

Weddings are celebrated regularly through the year, which the exception of Holy Week. Temporary bookings for a wedding can be made over the phone. Weddings are conducted at St Paul’s on Saturdays at the following times:

    ·         11.30 am,
·         1.30 pm,
·         3.30 pm
·         5.30 pm.

Bookings are kept for one month, at which time a non refundable fee of $100 is needed to confirm and secure your wedding time and date.

Marriage is a sacrament of the Church. An Anglican priest, using an Anglican form of ceremony, will celebrate your wedding. Appointments will be made with the priest for you to personalise your wedding.

We expect that the couple will have a relationship with the Anglican Church, and that at least one party has been baptised. If either party has divorced, the Bishop’s permission is needed before the marriage can proceed, and we will arrange an appointment with the priest to prepare for this.

Marriage Preparation.

We want to give you the best possible start to your marriage and therefore expect you will attend a marriage preparation course. These are run through the parish. Once your wedding is booked we will contact you to organise suitable dates and times. We use the Prepare-Enrich course that should be done four to six months before your wedding date. The course covers issues such as conflict resolution, finances, communication, parenting, family and friendships, personalities and sexual relationships, and is tailored to each couple’s particular situation.

Notice of Intended Marriage

Every couple must give legal notice of their intended wedding between 18 months and one month and a day before the event. Both parties must be at least 18 year old.

A Notice of Intended Marriage form is required for this. This is the first stage in your marriage preparation. This notice is filled out in the presence of the priest or, if necessary, before another appropriate witness. You will both need to provide official copies of your full birth certificates if you were born in Australia. If you were born overseas you can show your passport as proof of age. If you have been married before you also need to bring your formal papers showing the dissolution of the previous marriage (the Decree Absolute), or your spouse’s death certificate.

Wedding ceremony.

A few things to note:

    ·         Confetti is not allowed at St Paul’s (the new trend of bubble blowing is welcome!)
·         Music (CD) can be played through the church PA system.
·         Organist is available.
·         Harpist is also available.
·         Flowers are arranged through the church. They include the colours of your wedding party. As there may be more than one wedding on the same day the arrangements may also include colours for the other wedding. The flowers remain in the church.
·         Pew decorations are available.
·         A peal of bells (six or eight) can be arranged.
·         Ushers are needed to hand out orders of service and show people to their seats. Please arrange for two friends to do this.
·         Photographs and videos may be taken at the following times:
·         As the bride enters the church
·         After the register is signed.
·         At the handing over of the marriage certificate.
·         As the couple leaves the church.

Photography by an official photographer at other times can be negotiated with the priest (these photos can only be taken from a non-intrusive position).

    ·         Suitable readings, prayers and hymns (if used) will be chosen with the priest conducting your wedding.
·         A rehearsal will be arranged in the early evening before your wedding. All the bridal party, readers, ushers and photographers (both still and video) should be present.
·         The parish hall or grounds may be booked for refreshments or photographs after your wedding ceremony. (Grounds bookings only available 3 months before wedding date)

Thank you for your enquiry.

Please remember if you decide to book your wedding with us that you have one month to pay your deposit. If we do not hear from you the booking will be made available to another couple.

Please book early to avoid disappointment. The following fees apply to bookings made after 1 October 2007.

Fees:

The total fee for weddings booked after October 1, 2007 is $950

This includes the entire fee for the priest, marriage preparation, verger, flowers, certificates and the use of the church.

Booking enquiries are kept for one month to allow you time to co-ordinate arrangements with your photographer, reception centre etc. A $100 non-refundable deposit is the required to confirm the booking.

The remaining fee is payable as two instalments,

First payment: (payable two months prior to wedding) $350

Second payment: (payable no later than two weeks prior to wedding) $500

Additional fees:

Organist: $100

Verger: $75 (this is only an extra charge if a visiting priest is conducting the ceremony)

Soloist: $100

Harpist: $200

Peal of Bells: $320

To hear the round of eight St Paul's bells please click here

Photo Permit:

Because a wedding is an act of Christian worship, rules for photography or videography apply.

We work to maintain a joyful and worshipful atmosphere in the wedding service. Good professional photographers understand this, and they will agree to minimize distractions and respect the sacred nature of the building and the liturgy.

Please click on this link, to see the conditions and agreement form for the issue of a permit for photography or videography at St Paul's.

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Christian Marriage

Last modified: July 01, 2008