MARRIAGE SERVICES & RENEWAL OF VOWS SERVICES

Thank you for considering St. John’s Flinders or St. Mark’s Balnarring as the setting for your wedding ceremony. For well over a century, couples have made their vows before friends and family, and we look forward to you beginning married life together with a service at either St. John’s or St. Mark’s. A marriage service is joyful and the parish does all it can to ensure a truly memorable occasion.

Initial interview with the Celebrant

 This is an informal interview, to discuss your intended marriage, and the wedding service. At this interview you will usually sign the formal Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM), which is a government requirement and signifies your intention to marry. The witness for this form is the celebrant, who will be an ordained Anglican minister (usually the Vicar of the parish).

Please bring:

 Legal Proof of Age and Identity: a birth certificate if you were born in Australia, or a passport if you were born overseas, and some photo ID such as a driver’s licence. The celebrant needs to sight this documentation and record reference numbers on the form.

Marriage Preparation

 Your decision to marry is a serious and responsible decision – and a very happy one! We, like you, take it very seriously. For this reason, you are encouraged (but it is not compulsory) to undertake some marriage preparation such as the ‘Prepare, Enrich’ program. The Vicar or other minister can provide further information. This is not an evaluation of your suitability as marriage partners. It can be helpful in establishing future plans for healthy communication, and is often a very enjoyable program.

 Celebrant

 The principal celebrant of weddings in this parish is the parish priest (Vicar) or other ministers in this parish. However, other celebrants who are Anglican Clergy are able to take your wedding if requested and if they have appropriate clearances to conduct weddings. The Vicar must approve another minister before anyone else is booked to conduct your wedding. Clergy from other denominations who are members of the Victorian Council of Churches are most welcome to assist at the ceremony, in consultation with the Vicar.

Planning for the Service

 Much of the planning for the actual service can take place via email during the period of marriage preparation. The Vicar will provide a draft order of service based on the Anglican rite of marriage from The Anglican Prayer Book of Australia. At least one reading must be from the Bible; a list of suitable readings can be provided. You may of course add special readings or poems, music, or other details which reflect you as a couple. The parish does not print orders of service; couples can either print a full text of the service or an appropriate summary. The celebrant will need to approve the final text of the printed order of service, a few weeks beforehand.

 Music

 Our organist can assist you with your selection of music. You may wish to provide singers, string trios and quartets or solo instrumentalists. The architecture, beauty and classic lines of both churches enhance classical and light classical music. We have a sound system through which CDs can be played for your use if this is your preference. Organist: Mr. John Barren: 5989 8620. Here are some recommendations for your consideration:

Processional

Wagner Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin

Handel Air from Water Music

Handel Largo from Xerxes

Handel Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Charpentier Wedding Processional Te Deum

Haydn St Anthony Chorale

Mourel Rondeau

Recessional

Mendelssohn Wedding March from Midsummer’s Night Dream

Jeremiah Clarke Trumpet Voluntary – The Prince of Denmark’s March

Handel Finale from Fireworks Music

John Stanley Trumpet Voluntary

Purcell Come Ye Sons of Art

The signing

At the signing of the Marriage Register and Certificate, one of the above works could be played on the organ.  Sometimes couples invite a guest to sing or play an instrument (the church has a grand piano) or a favourite recording is played (the church has a good sound system accommodating CDs, ipods etc)

Making your music decisions

Listen to the above on YouTube and see if you find suitable options.

Hymns

 The couple makes the decision whether hymns are an appropriate and sensible choice (given the guests who will be attending.) A list of suitable hymns is available. Please discuss your preference with the Vicar.

Confetti, rose petals etc.

 You are most welcome to use rose petals etc. but only in the garden beside the church, not on the paths. Please do not use confetti or rice.

Photography and Videos

 All photographers and videographers should speak to the Vicar well before the actual service. Because both churches are relatively small spaces, there are specific ways to facilitate this side of your day. Extra lighting is not allowed. Videographers should consult with the Vicar or verger to work out the best places to stand. Tripods can only be placed at the back of the church. It is important that your witnesses and your guests in the pews can view the ceremony clearly.

Flowers

 Flowers are arranged by the church Flower Coordinator. Please contact Merilyn Taylor on 0418 177 991 to discuss colours. 

Rehearsal

 A rehearsal takes place about one week prior to the wedding. This helps people feel more relaxed about the ceremony, details can be confirmed, and it gives those involved a feeling for the church and the flow of the service. Another legal form is signed and witnessed at the rehearsal, which states that there are no legal impediments to the marriage. (ie: that both of you are over 18 years of age and single, widowed or divorced.) Key members of the wedding party are strongly encouraged to attend the rehearsal.

On the Day

 It is recommended that the bride arrives as close to the advertised time as possible as there may be other weddings that day. The service typically takes between 30 and 40 minutes. Holy Communion is another option, which adds about twenty minutes to the length. Please ask the Vicar about this option.

Fee

The wedding fee is $1,800.00. This covers the cost of the priest, florist, verger (assistant at the church on the day), insurance, and office assistance. The fee for an organist is an additional $250.00.

To confirm your booking of time and date, a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is required. Final full payment is usually made before the rehearsal.

For weddings at St. John’s, Flinders

Please make cheques payable to St John’s Flinders and post to Post Office Box 52, Flinders, 3929. Alternatively, funds can be deposited directly into our Bendigo Bank account BSB 633 000 Account Number 165 908 104 (please use the groom’s name as a reference on this deposit so it can be tracked).

For weddings at St. Mark’s, Balnarring

Please make cheques payable to St Mark’s Balnarring and post to Post Office Box 78, Balnarring 3926. Alternatively, funds can be deposited directly into our Bendigo Bank account BSB 633 000 Account Number 137 723 508 (please use the groom’s name as a reference on this deposit so it can be tracked).

Cancellations

If at any time and for any reason you decide not to proceed with arrangements, please notify us so that the time can be allocated to another couple.

Contact

 If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact the Vicar, The Reverend Keiron Jones at vicar.flinderswithbalnarring@gmail.com.