"Christian marriage is a joyful commitment for me. It is a public declaration
of the couple's intention to live together for life, legally and according to
the values of the love of God in Christ, as set out in scripture. It is not a
fashion show, a reason to buy a large number of expensive clothes, or an excuse
to have an expensive party!" - [comment on weddings from the Synod of Bishops]
WHO CAN BE MARRIED HERE?
All recognised Christian denominations are welcome to use this Church subject
to the approval of our Congregational Council. Members of our congregation
should be in touch with our clergy - preference of date is given to the members
of our congregation.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
We run marriage preparation classes (which are obligatory for all Anglican
weddings) of 5 - 6 weeks.
DATES
Weddings are not permitted during Holy Week or on the Saturday before Easter
Sunday. Special permission must be sought for weddings on the Saturday before
Palm Sunday and for the period immediately preceding Christmas.
DEPOSIT
A refundable deposit of R400 is payable at the time of confirmation of
booking for visitors from other denominations. This is payable to the Church
Office and will be refunded at the earliest opportunity and subject to there
having been no breakages during the wedding.
CONFETTI
Confetti is not permitted. However, many couples are using flower
petals instead, which is acceptable.
FEES - 2007
Fees should be paid at least one
week before the wedding ceremony at the parish office (weekdays between 8:00am
and 1:00pm), or by electronic transfer (banking details available from the
parish office):
Additional donations towards our
Parish Building Fund are always appreciated.
NB
Please note that the fee for the Church does
not include a gift to the priest/minister.
Please be aware that if you book for
2008, fees will be reviewed and probably increase from January of that year.
FLOWERS
We welcome flower arrangers of your choice but please note the following:
Please inform the Weddings Manager of the arrangements you have made for
flowers. We understand that you may need to remove some arrangements from the
Church after the wedding but the two arrangements behind the alter must stay in
place. If there is more than one wedding booked for a particular day, as there
may sometimes be, then the two families could come to an agreement together
about the flowers and the sharing of the costs. In general, weddings that have
been booked first have priority in regard to the arrangements concerning
flowers. Flowers should not be placed on the alter or the alter rail.
NB
Flowers are to be
completed by 1.00pm, at the latest, on the day before the wedding - this is
not negotiable.
During Eastertide (six weeks after Easter) the Paschal candle must be
decorated and left in place - it may not be removed for weddings.
Flowers must be removed after the service during Advent and Lent.
CAR SECURITY/PARKING
If you would like to have someone on duty in the car park during the time of
the wedding, please contact Gerald Lancaster (Tel: +27 33 344 2630) in this
regard. An average cost for this service would be R100 (depending on the time
required) payable to Gerald after the ceremony. Please note that parking at the
front of the Church is only available for the bridal party and the physically
challenged. All other parking is from the Brindy Road entrance.
FURNITURE
Church furniture other than individual chairs may not be moved.
ORGAN
We would prefer you to use our regular organist - Mrs Sandra Bower (+27 33
343 1151), but if she is not available please note that should you wish to use
your own organist that the organ may only be used by a person familiar with
playing such an instrument otherwise the piano should be used.
The Church of the Ascension reserves the right for the use of the pipe organ.
DOCUMENTS
Please produce your ID document or birth certificate (required by law), and
proof of baptism to the priest/minister marrying you and if one/both people are
minors, obtain a consent form completed by the parents/guardians.
WEDDING REHEARSAL
Normally this will be arranged for 1 - 3 days prior to the wedding, and will
take approximately 30 - 60 minutes. The bridal party, and any others involved,
need to attend.
USE OF CHURCH
To be sensitive to others using the Church it is necessary to restrict the
time allowed for weddings strictly to two hours from time of arrival to
departure.
WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
Please contact
the
Parish Office,
who will assist you.
