Getting Married at St. Luke's

We warmly welcome people who wish to get married in St Luke's. This is of course a legal commitment, and therefore various legalities apply. The first thing to do is contact the Vicar on 020 8673 6506.

Eligibility

To be eligible to get married at St Luke's, at least one of the couple must live in its parish (click for Parish Map). If neither lives in the parish, legally marriage can take place only:

a) if the couple regularly attends services at St Luke's (which means once a month or more) for six months to enable the couple to be on the Church Electoral Roll, or
b) by obtaining an Archbishop's Special Licence which requires a special connection with the church. The Vicar must support your application, and will show you how to apply for this.

The Vicar has discretion under certain circumstances to marry individuals who are divorced. Again please contact him to arrange to discuss this.

Calling of Banns

'The calling of Banns' is a legal requirement when a couple's intention to marry is publicly read out in church. They have to be called on three consecutive Sundays in the three months before the marriage date. Banns are called in the parish of residence of each of the couple and in the parish in which the marriage is to take place (these may all be the same). At St Luke's, banns are usually called at the 10.00am Parish Communion Sunday service and we very much hope the couple can share in the service on these occasions. Arrangements for the calling of banns should be made by contacting the Parish Office on 020 8772 0463.

Timing of the Marriage Service

By law, the marriage service must start no later than 4.30 pm.

Fees

Wedding fees are according to a fixed scale applicable to the Church of England, with additions for choir, flowers, video-recording etc. Tape recording and video recording require permission. Fees must be paid in full one month before the date of the wedding.

A fee is also payable for the calling of banns for a marriage taking place elsewhere. This includes the fee for the certificate confirming that banns have been read, which you need to show to the priest who is marrying you in another church.

Your wedding will be one of the most important days in your life, and the central point of the day will be the marriage service in church. At St Luke's we are anxious to do all we can to make it a happy and memorable occasion.

 

20/11/2008