WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS

at

Peterhead Old Parish Church

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”

                                       -THE BOOK OF GENESIS, CHAPTER 8

“To become one flesh means much more than just the physical union. It means that two persons share everything they have, not only their bodies, not only their material possessions, but also their thinking and their feeling, their joy and their suffering, their hopes and their fears, their successes and their failures. To become ones flesh means that two persons become completely one, body, soul and spirit, and yet there remain two different persons.”

-         WALTER TROBISCH

“My emotions are they key to me. When I give you this key, you can come into me, and share with me the most precious gift I have to offer you myself.”

-         JOHN POWELL

GETTING MARRIED

 You wish to be married. You wish to be married in Church. This means that you want to make yours a Christian Marriage.

In Christian Marriages there are three parties to the contract – the Bride, the Groom and GOD. To seek Christian Marriage implies that you know and love each other and God, and that you wish his teaching to be the foundation on which you will build your life together.

 DO YOU HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH TO BE MARRIED IN THE CHURCH?

The simple answer is ‘no.’ non-members can be married in Church if the Minister believes that the vows of Marriage can be taken conscientiously by both Bride and Groom.

All those who are to be married in the Church, whether members or not, are encouraged to attend the Church in order to feel part of its worship, to get to know the family of faith and to reaffirm their faith.

HOW DO I SET ABOUT ARRANGING MY MARRIAGE IN CHURCH?

At the earliest possible time you should consult with the Minister and fix the date and time.

About a month prior to the wedding you should contact the Minister to check on your arrangements.

A rehearsal is advised on the Thursday of the week of the wedding with as many of the bridal party present as possible.

        LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

MARRIAGE NOTICE

 Each of you is required to complete a “Marriage Notice” obtainable from the Registrar’s Office, Arbuthnot House, Broad Street, Peterhead.

(Tel. No. 01779 483244)

The completed forms require to be submitted along with your birth certificates to the Registrar’s Office preferably four weeks before the date of the marriage. The minimum period of notice is 16 days (six weeks for divorcees). A fee of £25.00 is payable to the Registrar in respect of each Marriage Notice.

 The fee for a copy of the Marriage Certificate is £8.50 and is payable at the time of handing in the Marriage Notices.

 MARRIAGE SCHEDULE

This form, which is signed at the Marriage Service by the Bride and Bridegroom, the Minister and two witnesses (who must be at least 16 years of age) is issued by the Registrar after the receipt of the Marriage Notices. You will be advised by the Registrar of the date on which to call to collect the Marriage Schedule. This will not be more than 7 days before the date of the Marriage.

The Marriage Schedule must be given to the Minister at the Wedding rehearsal. Failure to have a Wedding Schedule on the day of the Marriage will prevent the Marriage from taking place.

The Marriage Schedule signed by all the necessary parties must be returned to the Registrar within three days of the Marriage.

         WEDDING STATIONARY

You will have to arrange for the printing of your Wedding Stationary, Invitations, Orders of Service or Hymn Sheets. It is a good idea to set about choosing stationary about six months before the Wedding date.

 The Stationer will provide you with a list of all the hymns for which they can supply the words. The choice of hymns is yours, but it is best to consult with the Minister before they are printed.

 There is a wedding section in the Church Hymnary. Again the Minister can help you with this. The following are simply suggestions to get you thinking.

CH3 360 Praise my soul the king of heaven

 CH3 437 Love Divine, all loves excelling

CH3 388 The king of love my Shepherd is

 CH3 72   O God of Bethel

 CH3 389 The Lord’s my Shepherd

 CHURCH MUSIC

 The Minister will organise the organist in consultation with yourself with regard to availability, suitable music to enter and leave Church and hymns.

 FLOWERS

 The Bride usually arranges to have flowers decorating the Church.

 There are vases and stands available, and no other item of furniture should be used unless by prior consultation. Arrangements for the placing of flowers in the Church should be made after consultation with the Session Clerk so that she can arrange to have the Church open to accommodate the Florist (Tel. 01779 471383).

 It is appreciated if the flowers can be left for the Service on the Sunday following the Wedding. If the Brides wishes the flowers to go the care-homes or hospitals afterwards she should inform the Minister.

 VIDEOS

 Videos are permissible in Church but the operator Must contact the Minister some days before the Wedding to check on the arrangements.

 USHERS

 Ushers (usually two) should be at the Church about 45 minutes before the time of the Service to distribute the Orders of Service to the guests and to usher guests to their places. It is useful if the relevant number of Hymn Sheets can be place on the Communion Table for the Bridal Party and Minister.

 BRIDEGROOM AND BEST MAN

 Require to be at the Church 30 minutes before the start of the Service.

 BRIDE

 It is absolutely essential that the Bride arrives at the Church not late but 15 minutes before the Service to all for the taking of photographs before she enters the Church. (remember if you are late at this end it puts the rest of the day out of kilter)

 YOUR MARRIAGE

 It is our wish that your Marriage Service and Wedding Day should be as meaningful and memorable as possible. Do not hesitate to contact the Minister at any time about any matter relating to your Marriage (Tel. No. 01779 472618).

If for any reason the Wedding is cancelled, you should inform the Minister in writing as soon as possible.

CHURCH FEES

The fee of £200, by cheque only, should be made payable to Peterhead Old Parish Church. This does not include the organist fee which is £70. The Minister will inform you nearer the time who to make this cheque payable to as we have several organists who provide this service for us. You are asked to bring both cheques, along with your Marriage Schedule to the Wedding rehearsal.

SPEECHES

 It is necessary to make arrangements before the Wedding with those who will be proposing the toasts at your reception.

 The usual order of speeches is:

 Toast to the Bride and Groom

 Groom replies

 Toast to Bridesmaids

 Best man replies and reads greetings cards

 Bride’s father (optional)

 If the Minister is invited to the reception, and can attend, you may wish her to chair the speeches as well as say the grace. (The Minister will not assume she is invited unless asked, and in good time).

 The speeches may come before or after the meal, but be sure to discuss your arrangements with the hotel you have chosen.

                THE MARRIAGE VOWS

 The most important part of the Ceremony of Marriage, and indeed the whole Wedding day, is the taking of the Vows. If you so desire, you may simply ‘affirm’ the vows with words “I Do.” If, however, you prefer to repeat them after the Minister, and so personalise the Service, we print here the vows you will make. Remember that the vows are made BEFORE GOD HIMSELF and that it is HIS blessing which you seek.

 THE VOWS

(to affirm)

Or

(To repeat)

GROOM: Before God and in the presence of our families and friends, I A…declare my love for you B…and I give myself to you as your husband. I promise you my love, my loyalty and my trust for as long as we both shall live.

BRIDE: Before God and in the presence of our families and friends, I B…declare my love for you A… and give myself to you as your wife. I promise you my love, my loyalty and my trust for as long as we both shall live.

Lifting of Brides veil if appropriate

ORDER FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE

The Bride’s Procession

The Giving of the Bride’s hand

Preamble to Marriage

Hymn

Prayer

The joining of hands

The Vows & the exchanging of rings

Scripture Readings

“Counsel”

Prayer

Hymn

Benediction

Signing of the Marriage Schedule

THE WEDDING PROCESSION

Contact Information

Peterhead Old Parish Church, Kirk Square, Peterhead AB42 1RQ

Our Minister  is Rev Pauline Thomson MA BD, The Manse, 1 Hawthorn Road, Peterhead AB42 2DW Tel: 01779 472618

Our Session Clerk is Mrs Hazel Ross 22 Linksfield Terrace, Peterhead, 01779 471383

Electronic mail can be sent via the message page or to john@mucklekirk.co.uk
 

                                                                                                       Last modified: 16-11-08                                                                                                    Scottish Charity Number SCO11147