Weddings
All Saints’ Church is a beautifully unique location for you to commit to each other and begin the new chapter of the rest of your lives as a married couple. We regard it as a huge privilege to be involved in your wedding day, and will do everything we can to help. So if you are interested in celebrating your marriage in this church, please do contact the Churchwarden either by phone or email, details on Home Page.
For general information, please look at the following website, which has some great tips and advice: www.yourchurchwedding.org Below are some FAQs which may answer some of your queries:
Can anybody get married at this church?
You have a legal right to be married in All Saints:
• If you live in the parish of East Hanningfield
• or have lived there for at least six months at some point in your life,
• or if a parent lives here,
• or you were baptised in the church,
• or your parents or grandparents were married in the church,
• or if one or both of you has attended All Saints regularly for six months.
If none of the above apply to you, then we can advise you on the options.
I’m divorced. Does that mean I can’t get remarried in church?
You need to talk to the Minister about this and produce your decree absolute. You may then be able to get married again here. Otherwise you can have a civil ceremony at a registry office and a service of prayer and blessing here.
How much will it cost?
The basic wedding costs include reading of the banns, the ceremony and a marriage certificate. These fees are fixed by the Church of England annually and apply to all weddings whether in a church, registry office or other venue. For 2023, these are:
Marriage Service £ 528.00
Publishing of Banns of Marriage £ 36.00
(for those who live outside the parish, you must also arrange for the banns to be called in your home church and when this is done, you must collect the banns certificate (cost £18) and show it to the Minister who is taking your wedding. Please note it is not possible to marry you unless this certificate has been seen)
Additional costs
Verger £40.00
Heating (if applicable) £60.00
Organist £90.00 if with video, the charge is £180.00
Music downloads (if used) £20.00
Bells £75.00
If you have a family member or friend who would like to be involved in any way, for example playing music or singing, do chat to us about it.
When do we have to pay?
It has proved to be extremely useful to have a wedding rehearsal before the big day with as many of the main players as possible present. The fees should be paid at that time, if not before, with one cheque made payable to East Hanningfield All Saints PCC or if you prefer to pay by Bank Transfer, our Account name is East Hanningfield All Saints PCC, Sort Code 20-54-30 and account no. 20345083. The fees for the Verger, Organist & the Bellringers should be in cash in three marked envelopes, so they can be paid directly to the people concerned.
What are Banns?
Your marriage banns (announcements of intention to marry) have to be read on three consecutive Sundays in this church and also the local church or churches where you live within a three month period prior to the wedding. It is usual practice for couples to attend church to hear their banns read out and obviously we would love to see you any Sunday that you would like to come!
Flowers?
The best person for advice on this subject is Gil Gordon, her details are on Home Page. It is the couple's responsibility to organise flowers. It is a good idea to contact her when you have fixed the date. If you wish, she may be able to decorate the church for you, alternatively she will liaise with your chosen florist for access to the church and other details, eg whether you intend to remove the flowers after the wedding.
We hope you will agree that All Saints is a wonderful place for a wedding and we look forward to welcoming you and your family to our church as you plan your special day.