Weddings

Weddings at Belfairs

Thank you for considering Belfairs for your wedding service. We would love to be a part of your big day and we hope to be able to provide you with a wonderful marriage ceremony at Belfairs Methodist Church. A wedding in a church allows you to make your commitment to each other that little bit more special, by making your commitment and promises before God.

Weddings at a Methodist Church are conducted with a 'Marriage Schedule'. It is the responsibility of the Bride and Groom to visit the Registry Office and apply for the Marriage Schedule.

Both Bride & Groom must attend a legal interview, by appointment, at the Registrar’s where they will be interviewed separately. They will need to bring documents and pay for the service which, if successful, will result in their NOTICE OF MARRIAGE being displayed at the Registrar’s for three weeks (in case there is a legal objection). You will need to pay a £35 fee each when you attend the register office to give notice and get married within one year. There is also a fee to register your marriage. 

After three weeks you will be issued with the Marriage Schedule. It is the couple’s responsibility to make the legal interview appointment and to inform the Minister when they have received the Marriage Schedule — until then their Church Booking is merely provisional.

Once the Marriage Schedule has been received, the Bride and Groom should check that the information on them is correct, and then contact the Minister. The Marriage Schedule could be held in the church safe until the day of the wedding. If this is lost or destroyed please contact the Registry Office for guidance. On the day of the wedding the form is completed and signed and returned to the couple.  The couple (or one of the relatives) will then need to go to the Registrars office again, to hand in the Marriage Schedule within 3 weeks of the wedding taking place, to obtain the Marriage Certificate.

Arrangement of a wedding normally involves 4 meetings with the Minister, with the final one being the wedding rehearsal.

The Minister will discuss with you the content of the service, and there are various choices of set words to say. (There are certain legal words that have to be said).

Music is a very personal choice, but the minister and organist will help you make that choice. The church has the facility to play pre-recorded music, project photos or videos (subject to copyrights). Sound amplification for soloists can also be provided.

We do not insist on you attending the church, either before or after your wedding, but you will be most welcome. You may choose to visit the church for one of our services before your wedding so you can see what it is like, and hear the acoustics of the music and the ambience of worship.

If you would like to video or sound record your marriage service, a separate form will need to be signed.

Hymns

There are a wide range of hymns and Christian songs that are available for weddings. We have a range of books to choose from, and can either print out words on a song sheet or project the words on our screen.

Processional and Recessional Music

Our organist will be pleased to offer advice on the wide variety of wedding music available, from the traditional Bridal March to something different for the Bride to enter, and for your triumphant exit as husband & wife. Alternatively suitable music can be played via CD or iPhone etc

Co-creating a Service

Your Minister will be happy to work with you to co-create a service for your special day. We want everyone to get the most out of the service, as it is one of the most important days of your life.

Have a think about what you may want to include in the service. Apart from hymns/songs, bible readings and prayers, we can also include music, poems, solos…..

You will need to think about whether both of you will have rings, or just the Bride.

Bible Readings

There needs to be at least one bible reading in the service.

Frequently asked Questions

  1. How many people does the church hold? – We can seat 100 people.
  2. How long is the service? – 30 minutes upwards, depending on what you want in the service.
  3. What about children? – Children are welcome.

Our thanks to Owen & Alix Froydenlund for supplying and allowing us to use photos of their wedding at Belfairs.

 If you would like to discuss a wedding at Belfairs please contact us.

 

 

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