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Getting Married at St Peter’s
“Why
would you make the most important promise of your life anywhere else?”
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Laurence and Julie, 20th
April 2002 What if one of us is divorced? We are living together.
Does it matter? What happens in a Marriage Service?
Who can get married at St Peter’s What if one of us is divorced? We are living together.
Does it matter? What happens in a Marriage Service?
Who can get married at St Peter’s What if one of us is divorced? We are living together.
Does that matter? What happens in a Marriage Service?
Who can get married at St Peter’s What if one of us is divorced? We are living together.
Does that matter? What happens in a Marriage Service? |
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What are Banns?
Banns are an ancient tradition and also a legal
necessity. They date from the times
when you would have lived in a small village and everyone knew you. Given the often complex family links, only
your neighbours and family would know if you were too closely related to be
married, or if you were already married.
So the Banns were introduced to ensure that only those legally
entitled to be so were married. This piece of law remains in place to this day –
despite press reports that it has been abandoned. We write to couples with a personal invitation
to come to St Peter’s to hear the reading of their Banns about two months
before their wedding. This takes place
as part of our regular 11am services We usually read the Banns of marriage at the
beginning of the service. It is a very
simple ceremony. The Minister says: “I publish the banns of marriage between N
& N and X & Y, etc. If
any of you know cause or just impediment why these persons should not be
joined together in Holy Matrimony ye are to declare it. This is the first/second/third time
of asking.” (We use the olde worlde
wordes because they sound brilliant in our olde worlde churche but rest
assured you can have your wedding in modern English!) At the reading of Banns the couples do not
actually have to do anything but simply remain in their seats. If you do not live in the parish you also have
to arrange for your banns to be read in the parish where you live. Don’t worry about this; our administrator
will explain all. |
Who can get married at St Peter’s What if one of us is divorced? We are living together.
Does that matter? |
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What happens in a Marriage
Service?
Well, we marry you. The Marriage service is a Christian ceremony,
so there will also be hymns or words of praise, a bible reading and
prayers. Why not come along to a
wedding with us – drop the curate an e-mail or ring the
office for times and dates. Look at our service
planner for summaries of the services, readings, etc. This
is the text of a real service. Oh, and the vicar dresses up in fancy
robes. I mention that because Emma,
pictured left and right, made the red scarf that Graham sometimes wears. |
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Have a look in our Resources section for other
useful documents. Some of our rules may sound
excessive but they are designed to ensure that we keep within the law, and
that you are not distracted during the service and can enter fully into the
proceedings. These documents may be
helpful in understanding them: Useful Info (includes
notes on flowers, music, etc) Marriage after
Divorce: The Bishop’s Regulations |
Who can get married at St Peter’s What if one of us is divorced? We are living together.
Does that matter? |
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Been Married at St Peter’s?
How about sending us a picture for our weddings gallery?
Please send your favourite to the curate with a note saying you agree to our using
it on the web page. Note that pictures produced by your professional
photographer must NOT be sent unless we have their
permission in writing for it to be used – we are happy to include their name
and number as an incentive to them but they should be aware that we will only
use small file sizes to avoid long download times. |
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