Congratulations! A very warm welcome to you if you are thinking about getting married at St Stephen's.



We have created the guide below to answer the main questions you probably have about getting married in our church. We would love to make the day personal to you and get to know you to help make this day special. Please have a read through the information below and get in touch so we can discuss your wedding in more detail.

1. Whether you are so closely related to each other that the law does not permit you to marry. You will need to certify that this is not the case.

2. Whether either of you is not a UK National. Special issues arise in this situation and these need to be considered before further progress can be made.

3. Whether either of you is qualified to be married at our church. Qualification comes by virtue either of being a resident in the parish; or of being on the church electoral roll; or of having close family links with the parish.
   To see the list of Qualifying Connections please click the link below:
   Qualifying Connections
   
   To find your Parish church, visit AChurchNearYou and enter the postcode of your address into the search box. Select the correct address when it appears, and then click the arrow button to search. Your search results will show a list of churches near to you and a map showing the parish where you live shaded in orange. At the top of the list, highlighted in an orange box, will be the church or churches in the parish which cover your postcode/address. If it is not clear which is your parish, for example if you live on the very edge of a parish boundary, or if you live in a newly-built housing area please contact our Parish Office
   
   Once these issues have been clarified we will send you some booking forms to complete and ask you to arrange an appointment with the priest who will be marrying you. At this meeting all the arrangements for the wedding service can be discussed and any questions that you have can be raised.

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Which dates and times are available?

Most weddings take place on Saturdays during the Spring and Summer months, though they can be on any day of the year. The earlier you make your arrangements, the more likely it is that a particular date will be available. It would be unwise to book the reception without first checking on availability of the priest and church.

Please contact our Church Office (Parish Administrator) who will liaise with you over available dates.

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Why get married at St Stephen's?

St Stephen's is a beautiful church in spacious grounds situated in the Barbourne area of the city (with seating capacity for up to 250 guests) making the perfect location for your wedding. Our Parish Administrator will liaise with you throughout the process to help you to plan your big day.

However there are certain other important distinctions which make a church wedding different to a civil service in a registry office or other licensed venue. Here are a couple of things we believe about marriage:

• We believe that marriage is a gift from God; a gift which celebrates love and joy, a gift which helps us care for one another, and a gift which helps to build and strengthen our communities, so we want to help you celebrate that.
• We believe that marriage works best when God is 'at the centre' - the Bible tells us that 'God is love....(and) whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them' (John 4.16). This love that we have so freely received enables us to be faithful, considerate and forgiving towards one another in marriage. To that end, we will pray for you, include a Bible reading and short talk in the service, and help you to celebrate God's love as you prepare for marriage.

Banns of Marriage

Most weddings will require banns reading several weeks before the ceremony. They need to be read in the church where each of you lives and in the church where you will be married, if that is in a different place. 

To find your Parish church, visit AChurchNearYou (see above). Once you’re in touch with your parish church, tell them your good news, the date of your wedding and that you require local banns. They will take your details, confirm that you live in the parish and will then let you know what happens next. If it is not clear which is your parish, for example if you live on the very edge of a parish boundary, or if you live in a newly-built housing area please contact our Parish Office.

Attending the Readings
While it is not mandatory, attending the readings can be a special part of the build-up to your wedding. It's a chance to hear your intentions announced publicly and feel the support of your community. Most importantly you'll hear the church community offering prayers for you as you prepare for your wedding day and the years beyond.
 

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What will it cost?

A lot less than the reception! The fee for a wedding is around £650. This includes the priest, some planning and preparation sessions and a rehearsal along with the support of the Parish Administrator who will help to ensure that your wedding day goes smoothly. 

There are some optional extras should you wish:

• Organist and organ - £170 (approximate cost) We will put you in touch with our organist who will liaise with you directly over your music requirements and payment.
• Church Bells and bellringers - £240 (for 8 Bells to be rung on arrival of the bride and on exit).

You are welcome to bring your own flowers.