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WEDDINGS

Your Wedding

If you have just got engaged, congratulations!
You will be planning many things for your forthcoming wedding. At the heart of the day will be the ceremony itself. If you are thinking of getting married at St Margaret’s Church in Horsforth, these pages should help answer some of your questions.

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BOOKING YOUR WEDDING

Who can get married at St Margaret’s?

The Church of England has special rules regarding who can get married in a local church.  These rules changed in October 2008 to make it easier to get married in a church you have a connection with.  If you currently live in the parish or you used to live in the parish for more than 6 months, if you were baptised or confirmed in the parish or if your parents or grandparents were married in the parish, then you have a qualifying connection with the church.  You are also able to get married in a church where you have been worshiping regularly for over 6 months.

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If you are uncertain about whether you qualify you will need to speak to the Team Rector. 

You can call the Team Rector on 0113 258 1719, or email abbeylandscofe@outlook.com .

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We will consider remarrying divorcees, depending upon their particular circumstances.  If either of you is divorced you will need to arrange a meeting with the Team Rector before booking a wedding.

Booking a wedding

How do I book a wedding?

To book a date for your wedding in church you need to arrange a meeting with one of the clergy.  This can be arranged after a Sunday service or through the Church Office (0113 258 1719, or email abbeylandscofe@outlook.com)   

Both of you will need to come to this meeting and you will need to bring your passports or other proof of identity.

To avoid disappointment the church should be booked before booking your reception.  Please note we do not conduct weddings on Sundays and the availability of choristers is less certain on weekdays.

What happens next?

About three months before the service we ask you to contact us again to arrange a meeting with the clergy who will be taking your wedding, a rehearsal, and to begin planning the order of service.  If your banns are being published (the most usual preliminary for church weddings) you will also need to contact the Vicar of any other parish in which one or both of you resides.  They will also arrange to read your banns within three months of the ceremony and issue you with a certificate that this has been done.  Please note the marriage cannot take place without this certificate.

What happens in the service?

The service usually lasts about ½ hour.  It will include readings, prayers and hymns; vows will be exchanged; the registers signed and a blessing given.  There can be between one and three hymns (two is usual) and you may wish to choose the music for the entry of the bride, the signing of the register and the procession out at the end.  One Bible reading needs to be included.  A second lesson can be added either from the Bible or another source.  If a non–Biblical reading is chosen this must be approved by the clergy in advance.  To see a selection of music suggestions please click here and for possible Readings please click here.

What “Order of Service” do we need?

Many couples arrange for an “Order of Service” to be printed along with other wedding stationary. Otherwise the Church can produce a simple, personalised service sheet for a small additional cost.  If you are arranging the printing ensure that you send the clergy a draft and receive approval of the wording before printing.  The Wedding Service includes a number of passages for the congregation which need to be included. For a sample Order of Service please click here.

Wedding Flowers

Lillies are not allowed in arrangements at St. Margaret's Church.  Please speak to the clergy to discuss any plans for flowers.  Your florist can have reasonable access to the church as necessary to arrange your wedding flowers.

Sample Order of Service

Entrance of the Bride (music)

Priest: ‘God is love, and those who live in love live in God: and God lives in them.’

All: God of wonder and of joy: grace comes from you,
and you alone are the source of life and love.
Without you, we cannot please you;
without your love, our deeds are worth nothing.
Send your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts
that most excellent gift of love,
that we may worship you now with thankful hearts
and serve you always with willing minds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn

The Declarations (during which the following responses will be used:)
Priest: Will you, the families and friends of groom’s name and bride’s name, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?

All: We will

The Reading

The Sermon

The Marriage

Priest: Blessed are you, heavenly Father.
All: You give joy to bridegroom and bride.

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ.
All: You bring life to the world.

Priest: Blessed are you, Holy Spirit of God.
All: You bind us together in love.

Priest: Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
All: Amen.

The Blessing

The Registration

Hymn

The Prayers

The following verse and response are used during the prayers:

Priest: Lord of life and love:
All: hear our prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

All: Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom’
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Blessing

Leaving the Church (music)

Sample Order of Service

Wedding Music ♫

This isn't a comprehensive list, but it is a starting point for some popular pieces of music and hymns that you could consider for your wedding.

Weding music

Entrance of the bride

Leaving the Church

Hymns

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