At least one of you must live in the parish or be a member of the church.

    There is no automatic right to entitle you to be married if either of you is divorced, but the church does consider each enquiry

    individually: please speak to the Curate in the first instance - see below.

How To Go About Organising Your Wedding

First you should arrange an initial discussion with the Curate, Rev Dyllis Dickinson, Tel: 01253 700011  dyllis.dickinson@talktalk.net

‘Springfield’ Moss Side Lane, Stalmine, Poulton le Fylde, Lancs FY6 0JP

At an intial meeting, an application form will be completed and various arrangements discussed with you. This will normally take  about an hour. 

There will be further meetings to discuss preparation for the wedding. There will also be a wedding rehearsal on the week of the wedding.

Banns of Marriage   There is a legal requirement to declare your intention of marrying. This is done by having the Banns of Marriage read in your Parish Church on

three consecutive Sundays within three months of the wedding.  Normally, to be married in the Church of England, banns are read in the parish churches of both partners.

If you both live in   the parish of Stalmine, the banns need only be read at St James Church.    The Curate will arrange for the banns to be read on dates

that are convenient for you.  You will be expected to attend these three services.  If one of you lives in another parish, the banns must also be read in that parish.

The Curate will help you identify the other parish, and who to contact so you can arrange for the banns to be read in that parish church. There is a fee to pay for the banns

 to be read in the other church. Once read, you must get a Banns Certificate from the Vicar of the other parish.  This is a legal requirement.

Planning the Service

At the initial meeting, you will discuss various plans for the wedding service. A typical order of service may be as follows:  

Bridal March

Hymn

Ceremony, with Bible reading, and short talk

Signing the Marriage Register

Prayers

Hymn

Wedding March

The service normally lasts for about 45 minutes

Music   You can choose your own hymns for the service. Normally, there are two or three hymns.  You can also choose the music played as the bride comes into church, and when you leave the church together at the end of the service.

If you have problems deciding, the Director of Music is happy to help.

Choosing your Bible Reading      

You may also choose the Bible Reading used in your wedding service.  The Marriage Team will assist you if necessary.

The signing of the register  During the signing of the register the organist will normally play quietly in the background. Two witnesses must witness your signatures and

sign the registers themselves. The witnesses must be aged 18 or over.  Often the Chief Bridesmaid and Best Man act as witnesses.  At the service  you will be given

your Wedding Certificate which you will have just signed. This is an important legal document which you need to take care of.  

Printed Order of Service  

If you wish to arrange with a printer for an order of service booklet to be produced, you will need to agree the words to be printed with the Marriage Preparation Team. Make sure you have

enough copies of your order of service for your guests, for the priest, organist and verger, and for any well-wishers who may attend the wedding ceremony but not the reception.

Photographs/Videos   

A wedding is a solemn and important religious occasion, and as such, we ask that no photographs and videos are taken during the service as some people find it distracting.  

However, photographs/videos are allowed before the service starts, as the bride processes up the aisle, during the signing of the register, and as the couple proceed down the aisle

together.

Flowers       

If you wish to use your own florist for in church flower arrangements, please discuss the  plans with our own flower arranger.

The Marriage Preparation Team will let you know who this is for your wedding at the initial meeting.

The Rehearsal   

This will normally take place in church on the week of the wedding.

The total fee for the wedding should be paid at the rehearsal.  

This is usually attended by the bride and groom, the best man, the bride’s father (or whoever is giving the bride away), the bridesmaids and anyone else who will be taking

part in the service,  e.g reader, musicians etc. The rehearsal is to reassure you if you are nervous - not to make you more nervous! Don't worry if you forget everything

the priest tells you at the rehearsal. He/she will guide you through the service on your Big Day. You need only remember to turn up on time and bring the ring or rings with you!

The Wedding Day     

The groom and best man should arrive about 30 minutes before the wedding. This gives time for photographs and to check the registers.

The bride should plan to arrive about 7-8 minutes before the start of the service. This gives the photographer sufficient time for photographs.

The bride will then be ready to come up the aisle on time!

I, N, take you, N,
to be my wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,

according to God's holy law;
In the presence of God I make this vow

They loose hands.
The minister receives the ring(s). He says ...

Heavenly Father, by your blessing, let these rings be to N and N a symbol

of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant

(If only one ring is used, before they loose hands the bride says

I receive this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)