Weddings

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Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Contacting the minister to confirm date is an important first step.

 

We would be honoured to walk with you through your decision to marry and to help make your wedding a rich and meaningful event.  Weddings at any of the churches in Dunglass take place following discussion with the minister. Very generally, the minister is happy to marry couples who live within the parish area, are associated with the congregation, or wish to become more fully associated with the congregation, or have chosen an appropriate venue locally for their special day and wish to have a religious ceremony. You are always welcome to contact the minister to discuss this.

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The information on this page is both practical and theological.  It tries to anticipate the many areas where decisions are to be made concerning the wedding.  it gives some common sense answers; it gives some answers that are based on much practical experience with weddings in our parish; and it gives some answers that are directed by the Book of Order and by our reformed theology for worship in the Church of Scotland.

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Marriage is always important, in whatever setting it takes place, but being married in church has something more to it. It's not just about having an attractive location for your big day, or a greater sense of "occasion" than at a registry office or hotel. You are taking what matters to you - your love for each other - and thanking God for it.

 

All of this will mean more if you have been sharing in worship in church and getting to know the congregation, as you prepare for your wedding. Church membership is not a condition for marriage (or indeed for attendance at church), but you will be encouraged to think more deeply about what has drawn you to bring your marriage before God.  Since a marriage ceremony is a worship service, the order will include affirmation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and an affirmation of commitment by both bride and groom to each other. The ceremony may include affirmation of families, particular vows along with the exchange of rings, prayer and the sealing of the commitment as the minister deems appropriate in planning the service with the couple.

 

There are, of course, formalities in relation to your wedding day itself. The date and time of the wedding should be arranged with the minister (ideally before booking a reception), giving details of names, addresses and telephone numbers of both bride and groom. (Please also make it known, if either of you have been married before, or have children.)

 

Four to six weeks before the date of the wedding, you should go to the appropriate Registrar's office where you will be asked to fill out a form of "marriage notice". Please remember to take birth certificates with you (and also if appropriate, certificates relating to divorce or death of previous spouse). You will be asked to call back in the week prior to the wedding to collect the Marriage Schedule, which must be in the minister's hands before the wedding can take place.

 

Traditional Weddings

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For your guidance, the fees are presently between £150-£250 for the services of the Church or Minister. This is for the use of the church itself including heating, lighting and cleaning, and an additional fee is requested for the services of the organist, and church officer.  In any case, the minister does not make a charge for conducting the wedding.

 

Simple Weddings

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You may as a couple like to be married, but have reservations about the cost and scale of events which can get out of hand.

 

You may wish to dispense with some of the following...formal photographs and videos, expensive bridal clothes, designer shoes, hired cars, elaborate flower arrangements, a large party for hordes of family and friends, hair styling, manicures, tanning (and the practice runs of these procedures), matching invitations and hymn sheets, and a cake which costs more than three week's shopping.

 

If any of this strikes a chord, the minister is happy to meet with you to discuss what would still be a very special day in your lives. 

 

Making Contact

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Whatever your plans, please feel free to get in touch by telephone, email, or by coming along to a service on Sunday.

 

Music

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The music is a very special part of your wedding ceremony, so it deserves careful consideration.  A wedding is a sacred service, a time of joy, and above all, a time to praise and glorify God. Therefore, musical selections from a movie, West End show, or rock album may bring feelings of great sentiment, but may be inappropriate for services of worship in the Church of Scotland.

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Processionals (along with many others classical and modern)

Bridal Chorus - Wagner

 

Recessionals (along with many others classical and traditional)

Toccata from Symphony V - Charles Marie Widor

 

Suggested Hymns (along with many others you might find online)

Mission Praise No. 486 - Now Thank We All Our God

Mission Praise No. 152 - For the Beauty of the Earth

Mission Praise No. 449 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

CH3 No.  9 -  Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty

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Other popular choices include All things bright and beautiful, Give Me Oil in My Lamp, and One More Step along the world I go

 

Organists

 

Details available on request

 

Videos

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A licence may be required for copyright reasons if video of whole service is being made. 

 

Scheduling

 

The scheduling of all wedding services in the parish is done through the minister. No weddings are scheduled on Palm Sunday, Easter Weekend, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.

 

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are usually held the evening before the wedding.

 

Photography

No flash photos can be taken during the actual worship service. Non-flash pictures may be taken from the balcony and from behind the last row of guests during the ceremony, and during the signing of the Register, within reason.  Noise should be kept to a minimum.