Weddings at St Mary's Church.
St Mary's Church is a lovely setting for a wedding, and we are pleased to welcome those
who wish to be married or wish to have their marriage blessed.
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Banns of Marriage
Before you can be married at St Mary's Church your Banns of Marriage
have to be read in Church. This happens on three Sundays shortly before your wedding day, at
our 10.00 am service. Although there is no legal requirement for you to hear your Banns being read, most
people like to come to the service at the church at least once so that they can hear them. We look forward
to welcoming you to St Mary's Church then. Our Parish Administrator will tell you the dates when your Banns
will be read. You will be notified about this around six weeks before your wedding.
Should either one of those to be married live in another parish (i.e. outside Thatcham), then you must arrange
to have your Banns read in that Parish as well. This is your responsibility to arrange. You should get in
contact with the Parish Church there, and they will advise what you should do and any costs. After your Banns have been
read you will receive a certificate that you must pass on to whoever is conducting your marriage service.
This is very important - failure to do this could delay your wedding. The costs of having your Banns read in
another parish is not included in St Mary's fees.
You must complete and return to us a Banns Form prior to your wedding. Should any details on the form
change it is important to let us know as soon as possible.
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Marriage Licences
It is not usual to require a marriage licence. The Parish Office
will advise you if you do.
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Marriage Preparation Classes
The church runs Marriage Preparation classes, held on Saturday mornings. These classes are designed to
prepare you for some of the changes that may take place in your relationship following your marriage. We
receive many favourable comments from those who take part. Some people then go on to our other
courses.
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Rehearsals
A few weeks before your wedding the person who will be conducting the service will
get in touch with you to arrange a time to get together in order to talk about the
service. There will also usually be a rehearsal in the church - normally during the
week before your wedding.
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Music and Hymns for your Service
You should choose two or three hymns for your service. These hymns should be appropriate for the occasion -
we are happy to make suggestions if necessary.
The Bridal and Wedding Marches at the beginning and end of the service can be the traditional music, though
there are other options. Please feel free to discuss alternatives.
The church choir is usually available to sing at weddings,except during summer holidays. There is an extra
fee for this. Choir bookings require as much notice as possible. You may then like to discuss music with the
choir master.
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Service Sheets
If you are having service sheets printed it is advisable to discuss this with us before you to the printer,
so that we can advise you about what needs to be included on the service sheet.
We are able to produce a simple Service Sheet with hymns if required. There is a small charge for this.
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Photography
No doubt you will be having photographs taken at your wedding as a reminder for years to come. To avoid
the possibility of over-enthusiastic photographers spoiling the service for you we ask that only the "official
photographer" takes photos during the service - at the start of the service, during the signing of the
marriage registers, and as you leave the church, but - please - not at other times during the service. It is
helpful if you ask the photographer to speak with us before the service begins.
If you want to have your wedding video-recorded then you must inform us before the service. There is
legislation regarding video-recording weddings in churches, and because of this you will be asked to pay an
additional fee. We regret that we cannot allow any additional lighting in the church.
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Flowers
The church provides at least one arrangement of flowers at the front of the church, although during certain
times of the year this may be an arrangement of silk flowers. Sometimes people like to provide additional
flowers, for example, to go on the ends of the pews. Please ask the Parish Administrator if you wish to do
this. Please do not organise flowers for the church without our knowledge and consent as this can result in
confusion, especially if there is more than one wedding on the same day.
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Bells
It is usually possible to arrange for the bells at St Mary's to be rung after your service (though this
may be difficult to arrange during the summer holiday season). Please let the Parish Administrator know as
soon as possible before your wedding if you would like the bells, as it is necessary to get together a team
of eight ringers. There is an additional fee for the bells.
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Costs and Payment
The standard cost includes various statutory fees and the organ. Additional charges are made for choir,
video-recording, and bells.
When you book your wedding date you will be requested to pay a non-returnable deposit.
Around six weeks before your wedding date (at the same time as you are notified when your Banns are being
read at St Mary's) you will receive an invoice for the balance of the your wedding fees. This should be paid
no later than three weeks before your wedding date. Cheques should be made payable to 'PCC Thatcham'.
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