GETTING MARRIED

Facilities and other information

Weddings require quite a few people behind the scenes to be available e.g. Bell ringers, Choir and Vergers. We will need to book what you require so that the people involved can put the date in their diaries and make definite arrangements. The fees in each parish are different for various reasons e.g. number of bells, size of choir, cost of maintenance of equipment etc. Please make your decisions and return form M6 to Judith Denyer, Administrator (see Contacts page for her details to request this form) at least six months before the wedding 

Order of Service  If you are having a printed Order of Service please mention this when you meet the minister for the first time. We can supply a leaflet with the sequence for the hymns, readings, prayers etc. If you have further queries, especially about the hymns or want some suggestions discuss this with the minister or organist. The minister will be happy to check the draft before if goes for printing.  

Timing  This is your special day and we want you to enjoy yourselves and have a great time. However, please remember that there are people behind the scenes who are giving up their time to ensure your wedding goes smoothly. Arriving late and/or taking excessive amounts of time with photographs can play havoc with everyone’s timetable. Thank you for your cooperation.

Car Parking  Parking can be a problem if there is more than one wedding on the same day. This is especially so in Bromham Park. We allow 2 hours between the starting times of weddings to allow for this. However, if there is to be a second wedding we hope that you will make every effort to be clear of the car park by an hour after the beginning of your wedding.  This has proved to be an adequate length of time in previous years.

Organist

NB: it is your responsibility to contact the Organist to discuss your choices of hymns and music. 

The parishes’ regular organists are available to play for weddings. They will be happy to discuss the music and hymn tunes with you if you have something specific in mind, or will make suitable suggestions to help with your choices.

The fee for the organ playing in each parish is £70:00 and regulations are such that the fee must be paid even if you are providing your own organist.    

Verger  Fee £15:00 for any one of the three churches

The Verger is a member of the congregation who opens the church, prepares it for the service, liaises with ushers and deals with any queries or problems.  They give over two hours of their time.

Sound Recording  If you wish to have a sound recording of your wedding, it may be possible at Bromham or Oakley.  We must know well in advance as there may be the issue of recording rights to be discussed.  Please ask for details

Photography  Photography is permitted but this must be discussed with the minister (there is no charge for this).

Video Recording / filming  A fee of £40 will be charged if you wish to organise a professional video recording plus additional fees paid to the organist.  It must be discussed with your Vicar well in advance, because of the rulings on recording rights.

Choir  Bromham and Oakley have church choirs which can  be booked for marriage services. The organists are also the choirmasters and will be happy to discuss hymn choices with you.  We are able to put you in touch with a soloist if you would prefer that.

The fee for the church choir is:

Bromham     £80                 Oakley     £80

Music  All proposed music must be approved by the minister taking your wedding. If you are using the church organist they can help and advise you. However if you are not using the local organist or are planning to have additional music please discuss this with the minister.

Bells  All three churches have tower bells and a band of ringers available if you would like the bells to be rung when you come out of church at the end of the ceremony. This usually takes the form of two or three spells of ringing for five to ten minutes each with short rests between. The fees are:

Bromham     £115    Oakley         £100    Stagsden      £60

Please contact the Administrator if you have any queries about the bells.

Heating You must also consider whether you will require heating in the church for the service. During the summer this is usually unnecessary but recommended from October to April. The fee in each church is £35.

Flowers    You will need to decide whether you are doing these yourself (with the help of friends and family) or employing a professional florist. There are also groups of experienced flower arrangers at the churches who provide arrangements for the ordinary services. They are happy to give advice about flowers and the best places to position them in the church. At Oakley and Stagsden they are also willing to do the flower arrangements for you. (Payment would be required per pedestal). For Bromham, guidelines can be supplied by Judith Denyer, Administrator (see Contacts page for her details)

Whatever you decide you must contact the person in charge of flowers at the church so that she knows your plans and can arrange access to the church when necessary. You will also need to discuss what will happen to the flowers after the service and any fees chargeable. Forward planning is essential especially if there is more than one wedding on the same day so please do this early.

Bromham         Mrs. V. McMurdy      01234 823803

Oakley             Mrs. A. Rolph           01234 824849

Stagsden          Mrs D. Hindle            01234 823170 

Ushers/Welcomers    Their role is to welcome people. They need to arrive early and hand out the Orders of Service. Ushers should assist the Verger to tidy up and recover any items left after the service. You will need approximately one usher to each 30 guests.

Back to Weddings Page