CONGRATULATIONSCongratulationsonyourdecisiontobemarried.Wehopethatthetimeleadinguptoyourweddingdaywillbeanexcitingandhappyone.Weknowitwillalsobebusy,sowearereadyandwillingtohelpinanywaywecantomakeyourweddingdayextraspecial.This booklet will help you with some of the more practical aspects ofplanning your Church wedding. As part of our preparations we will sitdowntogetherandwalkthroughthisentiredocument.Wewantyourdaytobetrulyspecial,andagreatblessingforyouasyoubegintheamazingjourneythatismarriage.FrPeterYeatsRectorAnglicanParishofStJohntheEvangelist,Balmain.

Marriage in the

Anglican Parish St John the Evangelist,

Balmain.

Current as at January 2016

MarriageintheAnglicanChurch

Theprayerbook teaches thatmarriage in theAnglicanChurch is theunionofamanandawoman ina lifelongpartnership inwhich theyarecalled tounite inheart,mindandbody, toenrichand respond toeachotherandgrowintendernessandunderstanding.ItisagiftfromGodandasymbolofGod’sunendingloveforhispeople.TheCommonwealthofAustraliasetsoutcertainlegalrequirementspertainingtomarriage.ThesearedefinedbytheMarriagesAct1961andsection43(a)oftheFamilyLawAct1975.Oneofthelegalrequirementsplaceduponclergyisthat,whenconductingamarriageceremony,onlythoseritesauthorisedbytheirparticulardenominationmaybeused.Thismeans that, according toAustralian law,Anglicanclergyare required touseonly the ritesofAnglicanPrayerBookswhenconductingamarriageservice.TheAnglicanChurch,furthermore,assumesthatthosecouplesapproachingmarriageareseekingaChristianweddingandarewillingtobemarriedwithintheAnglicantradition.AnyonewishingtobemarriedinanAnglicanchurchmaybe–butunderthelawoftheChurch,atleastonepartytothemarriagemustbebaptised.TheremarriageofdivorcedpersonsispossibleintheAnglicanChurchwiththepermissionoftheregionalbishop.TheMarriagesAct1961requiresthatatleastonemonth’snoticebegivenusingtheproscribedNoticeofIntentiontoMarryform to theproposed celebrantbefore themarriage takesplace.Couplesdesiring tobemarried inanAnglicanChurchshouldcontacttheparishofficewellbeforetheproposeddateoftheirmarriage.Whileplanningaweddingisimportant,itisevenmoreimportanttomakeplansforthelongerlastingcelebration–marriage.OurParishprovidestheopportunitytoparticipateinMarriagePreparation.Aweekendcourseisofferedonoccasionsthroughouttheyear,andwetrulybelievethatthisisaworthwhileprocess.OurParishClergywillmeetwithyouonatleasttwo,ifnotthree,occasionspriortoyourmarriage:

1. Thefirstoccasionistoattendtolegalwork,suchastheNoticeofIntentiontobeMarried.Atthismeetingwewillalsogothroughtheserviceitselfandseektoanswerallofyourquestions.WewillalsotalkwithyouaboutMarriagePreparationandwhatisonofferforyou,andgiveyoudetailstocompleteaquestionnaire(prepare/Enrich)tobeusedinoursecondmeeting.

2. AtthissecondmeetingwewillworkthroughtheresultstogetherofthePrepare/EnrichQuestionnaire.3. TheThirdtimewemeettogetherisforarehearsal.

PracticalitiesFeesAweddingintheParishofStJohn’sfrom1stJanuary2016hasatotalfeeof$900.Thisfeeincludesthelegalrequirements,thePriest,theuseofthechurch,anorganist,andflowersarrangedbyourParishioners.AdditionalfreshflowersandpewsashescanbeplacedinthechurchbyarrangementwiththePriestandatyourowncost.Anon-refundabledepositof$50 isrequiredtoconfirmyourbooking.Pleasenotethatuntil this isreceivedyourwedding date and time cannot be confirmed. Full payment must be made one month prior to the weddingrehearsal.Pre-MarriagePreparationAnumberoforganisationsrecognisedbythegovernmentrunthesecourses,whichhelpyoutodevelopyourunderstandingofoneanotheranddiscoverhelpfulwaystohandlethechallengesofmarriedlife.Weurgeyoutobookinforacourseonaconvenientdate.

ThecoursesofferedbyAnglicareCounselling(98958054)andotherorganisations(detailedbelow)areaninvaluablepartoftheleaduptoyourwedding,andwillbeofgreatvaluetoyouinyourlifetogether.Suchprogramsareworthdoingearlierratherthanlater,astheprogramscanpickupissuesneedingtobeworkedthroughbeforethelastminute!Youmaywellfindthatthedateyouwantisnotavailableifyoutrytobooktooclosetothedate.Otherorganisationsrecognisedbythegovernmentofferingworthwhilemarriagepreparationprogramsinclude:

Inter-Relate Strathfield 97642466RelationshipsAustralia BondiJunction 93874211

LaneCove 94188800Westmead 96359311

UnifamCounselling(UnitingChurch) Sydney 92614077CentacareCounselling Sydney 93905100(CatholicChurch) Parramatta 96307788ConductofServicesYourservicewillbeconductedaspertheritesoftheAnglicanChurchofAustraliausingAPrayerBookforAustraliaSecondOrderofHolyMatrimony.Anoutlineisfoundattheendofthisdocument.Yourservicewillbeconductedbyour licencedandexperiencedRector,theRev’dCanonPeterYeats.Wedonotpermitministersorpastors fromotherChurches toconduct theservice,butmay invite,atyour request,one toparticipatewithintheliturgy.Flowers&DecorationsParishionersprovidetwosetsofflowers,andthismaybenegotiatedwithinreason.FlowersremainthepropertyoftheParishattheconclusionoftheservice.DecorationsintheChurcharealsowelcomebutwillrequirenegotiationwiththePriestastherecouldbeotherweddingsoreventsonthesameday.SeatingSizeStJohn’scomfortablyholdsapproximately80people.Traditionally (butfeel freetonotdoso)theBride’s familyandfriendssitontheleftsideofthechurchandtheGroom’sontheright.UshersIt will be helpful to your guests if you arrange to have two ushers available at least 20 minutes before thecommencementofyourweddingservice.Don’tbelate!Beingontimeisessential.Othereventstakeplaceinthelifeofthechurchandsotomakesureyouhaveallthetime you need, we ask that you be on time. We allow for 2 hours for a wedding, including arrival time, themarriageandtimeforphotosafterwards.Thebridegroom’spartywillneedtoarrive25minutesbeforeyourscheduledtime,andtheBridalpartywillarrive5minutes before the service commences.Please note thatwe hold the right to postpone or delay yourweddingshouldyoubemorethan15minuteslate.It isadvisablethatonyourweddinginvitationsyoumightputafifteenminuteearliertimeslot,suchas“2.45pmfora3.00pmservice”.Thiswillallowgueststoknowthatyouwillvaluetheirpromptness.MusicWehaveapreferenceforlivemusicplayedbytalentedmusiciansasthisimprovestheflowandfeelofanyservice.We value our organ as a rich contribution to our wedding services and believe live music creates the bestenvironmentforworshipandcelebration.However,youarewelcometonegotiatewiththePriestotherformsofmusic, includingrecordedmusic.OurParishadherestocopyrightofmusicrequirementsandyourfeecoverstheusageofmostmusicwithinthechurch.ThePriestshouldbeconsultedinrelationtomusicthatwillmakeyourdayamemorableone–foralltherightreasons.

Youwillrequirethreepiecesofmusic:

1. Theentranceofthebridalparty(lengthdependsonnumberintheparty);2. Thesigningoftheregister(shouldbeatleast4minuteslong);3. Recessional(somethingtoleaveby).

PhotographyYourphotographerismostwelcome.HeorsheshouldconsultwiththePriestpriortotheeventtoensurethatthebest location for photographs is found, and also to ensure that your service is not disturbed by photographersmovingaroundduring the service. It is advisable, ifpossible, that thephotographerattend the rehearsal to seewhattakesplace,andtoplanthemostideallocationstocaptureyourwedding.VideoProfessionaloramateurvideoiswelcome.However,videooperatorsrequireaspecial“Single-EventVideoLicence”fromAMCOS/ARIAbeforeaweddingcanbevideotaped.Alicenceapplicationformisavailablefrom:http://www.apraamcos.com.au/media/3518/single-event-video_licence-2014-15_distributed.pdf.Pleasemakeyourfamilyandfriendsawareofthesecopyrightlaws.Refusaltoallowvideoingonthedaycancauseconfusionandembarrassment.ServiceSheetsWearehappytohelpyoutoprepareanorderofserviceifyourequireone.Unfortunately,wecannotprinttheseforyou–butcancertainlyrecommendsomeoneifyouneedthis.Somethingtothrow?Traditionally confetti, rose petals or rice has been thrown over brides and grooms to celebrate the event.Unfortunately,thesemakeahugemess,stainclothesandhaveenvironmentalconsequences.Wewouldsuggestthatbubbleswouldbeapreferablealternative,andcanbeusedwithinthechurch.Youmayliketoprovidesomeforyourguests.ChangeofAddressPlease let us know if you change your address or phone number after you havemade a booking. Ifwe cannotcontactyouwewillassumeyouarenolongerintendingtomarryandyourbookingwilllapse.ReadingsAt anAnglicanWedding Servicewehave at least one reading from thebible, and amaximumof two readings.There istraditionallyonefromtheOldTestament,andonefromtheNewTestament.Youcanchooseasuitablereadingfromthelistbelowforuseinyourweddingservice,ortalkwiththePriestaboutotheroptions.Other readings or poemsmay also be appropriate andmay be negotiatedwith the Priest. However, there is amaximumoftworeadings intotal,andtheonefromthebible istheonethat isusuallyreadsecond.Guestsaremostwelcometoreadtheseatyourceremony.Genesis: Chapter 1, verse 26 to Chapter 2,

verse4a.Psalms: 128; 37 (verses 3 to 7); 67; 23; 100;

121;138.Ecclesiastes Chapter4,verses9to12Ephesians: Chapter3,verses14toend.1John: Chapter3,verses18to24.

1John: Chapter4,verses7to16.1Corinthians: Chapter 12, verse 31 to Chapter 13,

verse13St.Mathew: Chapter7,verses21to29.St.John: Chapter2,verses1to11.St.John: Chapter15,verses9to17.

Gotohttp://bible.oremus.org/toseetheseverses. Ifyou intendtoprintthemoutmakesuretheyarefromtheNewRevisedStandardVersion(Anglicised).

RehearsalIt is normal that a rehearsal takes placewith the bridal party before themarriage takes place, often the nightbefore.Thisensuresthatyourdayrunssmoothly,andthateveryoneknowswhattakesplaceduringtheservice.ThistimeisusuallynegotiatedatyourfirstmeetingwiththePriest.Therehearsalusuallytakesonehour.Pleasebeontime.Weaskthat:

• TheBrideandGroombepresent;• TheBridesmaidsandGroomsmenbepresent;• Thetwowitnessesbepresent(thismaybeBestManandMatronofHonour);• Ifsomeone(usuallyDad)is“givingthebrideaway”–heshouldcomealong;• Youbringalonganymusic,servicesheets,bubblesorotheritemsrequiredfortheservice–thatwayyou

knowtheyarealreadypresentandreadytogo;• TheBrideandBridesmaidsbringalongtheshoestheywillwearontheday(allwillbeexplained).

LegalSpeakMarriage is celebrated within the framework of the Commonwealth Marriage Act, which is a Federal LawgoverningallmarriagescelebratedwithinAustraliaanditsTerritories.FailuretocomplywithalltheprovisionsoftheMarriageActinvolvesheavypenalties,invalidationofthemarriage,andpossiblegaolterms.At leastonemonth(31+1days)priortothedateyouwillneedtomeetwiththePriestwhoisconductingyourwedding and complete the legal requirements for marriage. The Service conducted is as required by theCommonwealthandprescribedbytheArchbishopoftheDioceseofSydney.Theserviceisunabletobealtered.Thefollowingareasareapplicable,andyouneedtobeawareofthem:MinimumAgeUnderthelawoftheCommonwealthofAustralia,themarriageofanypersonunder18yearsofagewithouttheorderofajudgeormagistrateisinvalid.Ifyouareunder18yearsofagemarriageisstillattainable,however,willrequiregreaternoticesothatpermissionmaybesought.BirthCertificatesAnoriginalBirthCertificatemustbeshowntothePriestat leastonemonthpriortothemarriage. IfyoudonothaveyourbirthcertificateonemaybeobtainedbycontactingtheRegistryofBirths,DeathsandMarriages.Thisdoeshaveacostassociatedwithit,andwillrequireanextendedperiodoftime.Anoriginalandvalidpassportisalsoanacceptableformofidentification.EvidenceofDeathADeathCertificatemustbeproducedbefore theMarriageofapersonwhosepreviousunion terminated in thedeathofthepartnermayproceed.DivorceThePriestmustbeshowntheDecreestating thedateof the terminationof thepreviousmarriage. Informationconcerning the date of the first union and the number of children (togetherwith dates of birth)must also besuppliedtothePriest.AnapplicationtotheBishopoftheDioceseinregardtothemarriageofdivorcedpersonsisrequiredifeitherpartyhasbeenpreviouslydivorced.Pleasenotetheoutcomeofthisapplicationmaytakeconsiderabletimetoobtain,soyouneedtoallowmorethanonemonth’snotice.

CompulsionItisanoffenceundertheactforanypersontobemarriedunderduress,compulsion,orinanyotherwayagainsthisorherownfreewill.SobrietyItisanoffenceundertheAct,foranymarriagetobesolemnisedifoneorbothofthepartiestotheunionappearundertheinfluenceof,oraffectedby,alcoholordrugs.Soplease,noalcoholordrugsinthe24hoursbeforeyourmarriage.IfthePriestfeelsthatanymembersofthepartyarenotsober,themarriagewillbepostponed.WitnessesYoumusthavetwowitnessestotheMarriage,whosigntheRegisters.Bothwitnessesmustbeovertheageof18years and Australian citizens. These are usually yourMatron of Honour and BestMan. However, it can be anypersonpresentatyourwedding.LegalDocumentationAnumberofLegalDocumentsmustbesignedaspartoftheMarriageContract.1. Notification of IntendedMarriage. This formmust be signed andwitnessed no later than one fullmonth

beforethedateoftheMarriage. Inallnormalcircumstances,thisshouldbecompletedtwomonthspriortotheweddingandisusuallydoneatyourfirstmeetingwiththePriest.Youwillneedtobringalongyourbirthcertificates.Ifyouhavebeenmarriedpreviouslyyouwillneedtobringacopyofyourdivorcepapers.

2. Declarations.StatutoryDeclarationsastolegalfitnessofthecoupletobemarriedmustbesignedbeforetheMarriageandbewitnessedbytheMinisterofthemarriage.Thisisusuallydoneatyourrehearsal.

3. MarriageRegistry.TheParishRegisterissignedandcompletedonthedayofthemarriage,aswellasacopyfortheRegistrarGeneral.Thisisregisteredforyou.

4. MarriageCertificate.Yourmarriagecertificateisprovidedonthedayofthemarriage.5. RegisteredMarriageCertificate.Similartoyourbirthcertificate,adocumentshowingtheofficialregistration

ofyourmarriage isavailablefromtheofficeofBirths,DeathsandMarriages.Thiscanbeappliedforonline:http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/marriages/marriages.htm

Yourmarriageisusuallyregisteredbyusonthefirstbusinessdayafteryourwedding.ItcantakeseveralweeksforyourRegistrationtobeofficiallylodgedbytheRegistryOfficeandacertificateobtained.

YourWeddingServiceAs part of the Anglican Church of Australia our service follows the pattern of worship outlined inAPrayerBookforAustralia.Thefollowingisanextractofthatservice.EntranceAsuitablesongisplayedtowelcomethebridalparty.StatementofIntentionTheMinisteroutlinestoallpresentthebasisofmarriage–love.WehavecometogetherinthepresenceofGodtowitnessthemarriageofNandNN,andtoaskGod’sblessingonthemaswesharetheirjoy...(theintroductioncontinues)TheReading/sApoemmaybereadfollowedbyareadingfromthebible.Thebiblereadingisalwaysthelastword.TheWeddingN,will yougiveyourself toNN, tobeherhusband, to livewithheraccording toGod’sword?Willyou loveher,comforther,honourandprotecther,and,forsakingallothers,befaithfultohersolongasyoubothshall live? Iwill.NN,willyougiveyourselftoN,tobehiswife,tolivewithhimaccordingtoGod’sword?Willyoulovehim,comforthim,honourandprotecthim,and,forsakingallothers,befaithfultohimsolongasyoubothshalllive?Iwill.Familiesandfriends,youarewitnessestothesevows.WillyoudoeverythinginyourpowertoupholdNandNNintheirmarriage?Wewill.I,N,inthepresenceofGod,takeyou,NN,tobemywife/husband:tohaveandtoholdfromthisdayforward,forbetter,forworse,forricher,forpoorer,insicknessandinhealth,toloveandtocherish,solongaswebothshalllive.AllthisIvowandpromise.Thepartnerrespondsinreciprocal.Theringsareblessedandthenexchanged.Igiveyouthisringasasymbolofourmarriage.WithallthatIamandallthatIhaveIhonouryou;inthenameofGod.AmenIreceivethisringasasymbolofyourloveandfaithfulnesstotheendofourdays.MayGodenableustogrowinlovetogether.HandsarejoinedandwrappedwiththeMinister’sstole.BeforeGodandinthepresenceofusall,NandNNhavejoinedhandsandmadetheirsolemnvows,promisinglife-longfaithfulnesstoeachother.InthenameofGod,Ideclarethemtobehusbandandwife.WhatGodhasjoinedtogether,letnooneseparate.

Ablessingissaiduponthecouple.Thecouplearepronouncedmarried.TheRegisterissignedduringwhichanappropriatesongisplayed.ThePrayersPrayersaresaidforthecoupleandfortheirfuture.TheBlessingAfinalblessingisgivenandthecongregationstandtowelcomethenewcouple.

ContactUs

TheParishOffice125BirchgroveRoadBirchgroveNSW2041

Postaladdress:POBox45

BalmainNSW2041

Email:TheRev’dCanonPeterYeats–stjohnsbalmain@tpg.com.au

Phone:0422762935

Welookforwardtomeetingwithyouandhelpingtocreateaspecialday

whichwillbeablessinguponyourcontinuingjourney.

©TheServicequotedfromAPrayerBookforAustralia.publishedundertheimprintofBroughtonBooksbyEJDwyer(Aust)P/L.1995TheAnglicanChurchOfAustraliaTrustCorp.Allrightsres.

©TheScripturequotationscontainedhereinarefromtheNewRevisedStandardVersionoftheBiblecopyrighted1989bytheDivisionofChristianEducationoftheNationalCouncilofChurchesofChristintheUSAandareusedby

permission.Allrightsreserved.