St Michael and All Angels Southwick

Getting Married at St Michael’s

St Michael and All Angels is a beautiful venue for a wedding and we would love to welcome you. It is now easier than ever to get married in a church that isn’t your parish church, you just have to meet certain criteria.

You can marry in a CofE church if you can show:-

That one of you:

• has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
• was baptised in the parish concerned or
• was prepared for confirmation in the parish or
• has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:

• has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
• has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months or

That one of your parents or grandparents:

• was married in the parish

And did you know that if you move house, you’re immediately connected to the church there? That means you can marry in the church of your new parish.

If you have children

The Church of England always welcomes children. In fact, one in five couples who come to church for a wedding already has children, together or from a previous relationship. For weddings they can walk up the aisle with mum, carry the rings, read from the Bible or say a prayer, and receive a blessing with mum and dad.

If you are Divorced

If you are a divorcee this is in no way a problem to you getting re-married at St Michael’s, Southwick. However you will need to present at the time of booking the original copy of your Decree Absolute. The Rector will also need to have a conversation with you before any final plans for your wedding are made.

For more information, FAQs and planning ideas please visit www.yourchurchwedding.org

Preparing for your Marriage

If you would like to get married, have your marriage blessed or renew your vows at St Michael’s, the clergy and office staff  wish to do all they can to ensure that the preparations for your marriage go smoothly and that your wedding day is relaxed, happy and truly memorable.  If you would like to enquire about getting married at St Michael’s, please ring the Parish Office on 01273 597699 and someone will get back to you. 

The following notes are provided for your general guidance:

Banns of Marriage

These are a legal requirement which enable your Marriage to take place. It is necessary for them to be called at St. Michael’s and, if one of you lives in another parish, the parish church where you reside. They are normally called at St. Michael’s two months before your marriage takes place, beginning on the third Sunday of the month. They will be called at the 10am service for three consecutive weeks. We shall be delighted to see you in church to hear your banns called, together with any family or friends who may wish to accompany you.  However, do not worry if you are unable to attend each Sunday as your presence is not a legal requirement.

If one of you lives in another parish you must also arrange for the banns to be called there. Please contact the priest in that parish as soon as possible. Once the banns have been called in that parish you will need to collect a “Banns Certificate”. This should be brought to the Parish Office at St.  Michael’s at least one week before your wedding.

Please note that the Banns are only valid for a period of three months.

Fees

The fees for your wedding include the required legal charges, the hire of the church and its facilities, together with the services of the organist and verger. For weddings held between October and March, inclusive, there may be a surcharge towards the cost of heating.

You will be sent an invoice for the appropriate fees six weeks prior to your wedding. We ask that you pay them (in cash or by cheque) no later than three weeks before your marriage. This means that you will have one less thing to remember and worry about  either when attending the church for your wedding rehearsal or on your wedding day itself. When you visit the Parish Office to pay the fees you will be asked to confirm that all the details entered on the Banns Application form are correct. This is important as these details will be used to complete the marriage registers and your certificate of marriage.

Organ & Choir

You will need to agree the “extras” you wish to have to make your Marriage a special occasion.  We recommend that you make these arrangements at the same time that you arrange the banns. You will also need to discuss the hymns and any other music you wish to have at the service with  our organist, Hugh O’Neal. There is usually a voluntary as the bride enters and leaves the church, two hymns during the service and some music during the signing of the registers. A list of suitable music will also be provided. However, we are always happy to discuss any particular requests you may have.

Video Recording

If you intend to video your wedding you must obtain a Limited Manufacture Licence (LML) from www.prsformusic.com and give a copy of this licence to the Rector at your Wedding rehearsal. The cost of this LML licence is from £15.

Order of Service

It is not essential to have an ‘Order of Service’ specially printed. If you decide to have one we request that you  show a draft copy to the Rector before your marriage. We can also print an Order of Service for you for a fee of £40.

The Rehearsal

This is usually held a week before the wedding and will be arranged with the Rector.

Flowers

There are usually some flowers in church (except during Advent and Lent). However,if you wish to have special arrangements in the church  (eg. to match the bouquets or bridesmaids’ dresses) please contact Helen Scott on 01273 591163. She will also be able to advise you of the additional cost involved. You may wish to talk to other couples getting married on the same date as it may be possible to share the costs.

Wedding Charges 2023

Legal Fees: (these are standard throughout the country)

£505 + £34 calling of Banns = £539

£17 Banns Certificate – If required

Other Services:

There are charges for other services such as flowers, organist etc. We will discuss these with you when you book the wedding.

 Video Recordings:

Permission from the Rector must be obtained before any service is taped or video-recorded.

If you wish to video your wedding and any of the music that you are recording is live, you must obtain a Limited Manufacture Licence (LML) at www.prsformusic.com and give a copy of this licence to the Rector at the wedding rehearsal. The cost of the LML Licence is approximately £15.

If a service is to be recorded on tape, the charge for the organist is raised to £90 and where a service is to be video-recorded, the charge is raised to £150.

The calling of Banns and Banns Certificate: (where the wedding is in another Parish) £54