Welcome to Purse Caundle, Stalbridge, Stock Gaylard
(Kings Stag), and Stourton Caundle
The Church of England serving these local
communities
Thinking of getting married?
Think Church!
Some frequently
asked Questions and Answers
Many people
would love a church wedding but think they can’t have one, or that it’s all too
complicated, or even too expensive. So
they don’t bother to ask.
But we’re glad to tell you that
you're welcome to marry in church whatever your beliefs, whether or not you go
to church. And marrying in church has
never been easier thanks to a change in the law which means you now have more
churches to choose from.
For such a special day, we offer a
special place. We
are happy to give you all the help you need to plan a personal, meaningful,
spiritual and beautiful church wedding.
Weddings have been conducted at
the churches around the country for centuries. Yet
each wedding is contemporary and unique to each couple and their friends and
family. Getting
married in Church has a particular quality about it. There
are the traditional surroundings, and yet a friendly atmosphere.
The context is an important
reminder that these vows are being made in the presence of God and before your
family and friends and the community.
Marriage is one of the biggest decisions anybody will make in life. It’s the beginning of a commitment to making a wonderful life with the person you love. We want to do all we can to make your wedding day special, and to help you prepare for a lifetime together.
Q. I haven’t
been christened. I don't go to
church. Can I still get married in
church?
A. Yes!
Q. Do we have to get married in a particular church?
A. Everyone
lives in a parish and belongs to that parish’s church, even if you didn’t
realise it. However, you can also marry
in a church that has special significance for you; an example might be the
parish in which one of you grew up or where a
parent of one of you lives. If you wish
to marry in another church,
you should contact the priest of that church.
Q. How do we go about booking a wedding?
A. First
of all, telephone your local parish priest
(details are usually on the church notice board). A meeting will then be arranged to meet the priest.
At the meeting, a form will be filled in with the details that will be
needed for your wedding and for the banns to be read.
Q. What are
the banns?
A. Banns are the formal and public
announcement that you are planning to get married in the Church. People are asked if they know of any reason
why the proposed couple are not entitled to get married. (To date no one has ever done this in our
churches - it only happens in films!)
The priest will explain more about the banns when you first meet.
Q. Are there rules about the content of the service?
A. Your
priest will be only too happy to discuss any special
choices you would like for the service. However,
you must be prepared to accept certain non-optional elements of the service.
Q. Can I marry in any other colour than white?
A. Yes! You can marry in whatever colour you choose.
Q. How much
will it cost?
A. If you choose to marry in church, we want
it to be a day that is personal and special for you, but that need not mean you
spend a fortune.
There is a relatively small fee for marrying in a
church. The fees are set by the Church of England nationally.
The cost of a basic church wedding in our churches
in 2011 is
about £320
(reviewed each January), which includes all legal necessities. These fees have ancient origins and make a
contribution to the provision of a church in your community.
Flowers, an organist, a choir, bell ringers,
etc, are optional additional services that may be provided by your church. If you ask for any of these, then this will add to
the final fee.
Q. We’ve decided to get married abroad but we would like a
church blessing. Is
that possible?
A. There
is no reason why you shouldn’t do this; again, contact your parish priest.
Q. I’m divorced. Can
I still get married in church?
A. The
Church of England believes that marriage is for life. But it recognises that sadly some marriages do
fail. In exceptional circumstances, the Church of
England accepts that a divorced person may marry again. The priest will want to talk to you frankly about your
previous marriage and your hopes for the future. Even if it
turns out not to be possible to have the full service, the service of marriage
blessing is a lovely and special alternative.
Q. Do we have to get married on a Saturday?
A. The time
and day of the service are decided by negotiation with the priest,
although it must be between 8am and 6pm and obviously not clash with other
services. More people these days are
choosing days other than Saturday.
Q. What about
music?
A. Music at your wedding is a very personal
choice.
Weddings over the centuries have included
everything from classical soloists to rock bands. Your priest
will be able to advise you, whether you want a traditional wedding or something
with a bit of a difference. Organ
music is the traditional choice for weddings.
Organists can advise you on hymns and processional music.
The Church of England has a web site dedicated to Marriage. There are many articles and loads of good information.
Make contact with your parish priest who will be happy to meet you and discuss, without obligation, how you might proceed.