Weddings

If you are thinking about getting married at Holy Trinity, Berwick, congratulations! 

We hope that the following information is useful – please don’t be afraid to ask about anything you’re not sure about as we will be delighted to help make your special day as personal and unique to you as possible. You will also find further information on the Church of England website, which answers many frequently asked questions and gives ideas for different styles of weddings.

Wherever you decide to hold your wedding, we wish you every blessing as you go forward together on this exciting new stage in your lives. Our prayers go with you, and please be assured of our support throughout the years ahead.

The decision to marry is the most important one you will make in your life, and the Church believes therefore that it must not be undertaken ‘carelessly, lightly or selfishly’.

Marriage is:
‘For better, for worse
For richer, for poorer
In sickness and in health
’til death do us part’.

Couples intending to marry must therefore have considered the implications of such a relationship very carefully, after serious and honest thought. It is because of the life long nature of these vows that the Church does not automatically remarry divorcees.

Legal Requirements

For your marriage to take place at our church one partner must have a connection with the church / parish.

Publication of Banns
Marriage after banns is the most common way of fulfilling a very important legal requirement. Banns cannot be published until three months before the date of the wedding, and both of you are required to sign a banns application form. Banns will then be called on three consecutive Sundays before the date of your wedding, in church at the main act of worship.

If either of you lives in another parish, banns must be read in the Church of England church there (for which there will be a fee) as well as here. After they have been read the priest will issue a certificate which you should give to us.

Making Arrangements
Firstly, before making any reception arrangements please check that the date and time you have in mind are convenient at the church. This should be done as soon as possible by contacting the Parish Administrator (07810 611521).

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Three months before the wedding, please make an appointment to arrange for the publication of banns. At this meeting please make sure you have thought about the following:

• Which hymns you would like. It is usual to have two. Make sure that they blend in with the theme of the day – love, joy and celebration. The music you would like to process in and out of church to.

• If you would like to choose your own readings, one must be from the Bible. If you need any help selecting these the vicar will be happy to help.

Wedding Rehearsal
About a month before the wedding please contact the vicar to make a date and time for a rehearsal in church. This usually takes place the week before the wedding (so you don’t forget what you need to do!).

Photographs
Photographs may be taken before and after the service and during the Signing of the Register by the official photographer only.

Photographs during the service are allowed only on the condition that the photographer stays in one position throughout the service and does not use a flash.
Please make sure  your guests are aware of this, so that you are not distracted from the solemnity of the occasion.

We hope that these notes are of value to you, and help you enjoy a very happy day. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us. We will remember you in our prayers.