Additional Services

Congratulations on your decision to get Married

To be eligible to be married in St. James’, one of you must reside in the parish. If you are unsure about which parish you live in, visit  www.achurchnearyou.com web site. Enter your post code and then click on your road in the map and it will tell you which parish you live in.
If St. James’ is not your parish church and you would still like to get married here, you can become a member of the electoral roll by attending church regularly for 6 months.

If one of you resides in the parish, or is on the church electoral roll, you will meet the legal requirements prior to marriage by the calling of banns. Banns are called on three consecutive Sundays within three months of the wedding date in the parish churches of both bride and bridegroom. You will be advised when this will be so that you may hear them. Banns are called at the main service which begins at 10.00am each Sunday. If you do not meet the legal requirements for banns, it may be possible for you to apply for a licence to be married in St. James’. The Rector will explain to you how to apply for a licence and what conditions will need to be met. Special fees apply for licences.
 
St. James’ welcomes couples who have made a conscious choice to seek our help about a church wedding. If one or both of you have been divorced, there are different considerations and the decision to go ahead with a wedding in church will depend on the guidelines set by the Church of England in these matters. However, many couples have been married in St. James’ in recent years where one or both have been previously married and divorced.

There is much more information on the following website, which you are encouraged to view.