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Weddings

We would love to be able to conduct your wedding at Rayleigh Methodist Church.

Congratulations on your engagement, and we hope to be able to provide you with a wonderful marriage ceremony at Rayleigh 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 by certificates. It is the responsibility of the Bride and Groom to visit the Registry Office and apply for certificates.

Both Bride & Groom must attend for a legal interview, by appointment, at the Registrar’s Office where they will be interviewed separately. They will need to bring certain documents and pay for this service which, if successful, will result in their NOTICE OF MARRIAGE being displayed at the Registrar’s Office for three weeks (in case there is a legal objection). The cost of certificates is £40 each and the certificates are valid for one year.   

After three weeks you will be issued with a  ‘Blue Forms’ (wedding authorities). It is the couple’s responsibility to make the legal interview appointment and to inform the Minister when they have received the ‘Blue Forms’—until then their Church booking is merely provisional.

Once the certificates have been received (Blue Forms), the Bride and Groom should check that the information on them is correct, and then contact the Minister. The certificates will then be held in the church safe until the day of the wedding. If these Blue Forms are lost or destroyed you have to begin the whole process again! (The certificates are returned to the General Registry Office with a copy of the Marriage Returns, after the full Marriage Certificate has been completed and signed. (The Signing of the Registers).

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

There is a cost for weddings at the church, with some options:-

RMC to provide flowers £90 (Optional)
Church Fee £150
Organist £60
Stewards £40
Authorised Person (speeds up the signing of registers) £40
Service Sheets £15 (Optional)
Minister (Includes the 4 visits) £100

(We may be able to offer some reduction in fees, where there is a financial difficulty).

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, or videos. 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.

Popular Hymn choices are shown on this website:- http://www.saintlukes.org.uk/Services/wedding-hymns.htm

Processional and Recessional Music

Our organist will be pleased to offer advice on the wide variety of wedding music available, from the traditional 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 iPod.

Popular suggestions for music can be found on:- http://www.saintlukes.org.uk/Services/wedding-music.htm

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, you may wish to choose one from:- http://www.saintlukes.org.uk/Services/wedding-readings.htm

Frequently asked Questions

  1. How many people does the church hold? – We can seat 200 people.
  2. How long is the service? – between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on what you want in the service.
  3. What about children? – The church has a crèche area: children are welcome.

Contact the Minister on 07411 289 469 to discuss your wedding at Rayleigh Methodist Church

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