We are always delighted when couples choose to be married at St. Mary’s Barnes and we work very hard to ensure that the service is unforgettable for all the right reasons and the highlight of the wedding day.
Arranging a wedding is a huge practical undertaking and we’ve pulled together all the information you need in the section below.
However it is easy to get lost in the details and forget the importance of the day itself. We encourage all our couples to spend time reflecting on this important change in their lives and planning their future life together and not just the wedding day itself.

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Who Can Get Married at St Mary's?

Brides or bridegrooms who live in the parish of St Mary’s Barnes (which is most of SW13).

Anyone who has been baptised and/or confirmed in this parish.

Anyone who has lived in this parish for six months or more at any period during their lives.

Anyone who has attended worship in this parish for at least six months.

People whose parents have lived and worshipped in this parish (must be during the child’s lifetime).

People whose parents or grandparents were married in this church.

What if you have been divorced?

If either (or both) of you have been married before and divorced this is not a barrier to being married in the Anglican Church but it is something that needs to be discussed with the priest who is going to marry you.

St Mary's Barnes Wedding Pack

Please have a look at our St Marys Wedding Pack 2024 as it should answer many of the questions you have about planning your wedding here at St Mary’s Barnes

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Wedding Preparation

Setting the date

Weddings can be arranged on most days Monday – Saturday but before making any arrangements it is very important that you check to see if your preferred date is possible for us at St. Mary’s. After you have filled out a marriage application form and sent it to us we will be able to confirm your eligibility and your booking.

Reading the Banns

To publish your intention to marry, Banns must be called in the Parish Church of the parishes in which both the bride and groom reside. It is a legal requirement for the Banns to be published three times before the wedding. They are read out on three consecutive Sundays during the three months prior to your wedding. If you live outside the parish but are on the electoral roll of this parish because you attend services here, you still need to have your Banns read at your local Parish Church as well as at St. Mary’s. Read more about Banns.

Meeting your priest

When you book the wedding we will arrange for one of the parish clergy to take the service. He/she will see you soon after the booking and on a number of occasions to help you put together your order of service and prepare for the wedding. He/she will take you through the different things you need to think about and ensure that St Mary’s provides the best possible start to your married life. Please take the initiative to contact the priest who is marrying you in the first instance. It is also possible for you to bring in a visiting priest to help with the service. This is strictly at the discretion of the Rector of St Mary’s and the parishes in which both the bride and groom reside.

Preparing for marriage

At St Mary’s we take marriage preparation very seriously in the belief that your wedding is a deeply significant step in your lives. To help you prepare for your marriage, we would like to invite you to take part in a preparation course over two evenings. You will meet with a marriage team couple to discuss a number of matters of interest and concern to you both. It is informal, confidential and enjoyable! For more information contact Jo Carr on 07776 137141 at least 3 months before your wedding.

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The Service

Readings

The wedding service normally has a Bible reading, which is chosen from a wide range of topics such as love, commitment and the best foundations for living. Some deal more specifically with the love of God and the example Jesus gave us. Your Priest will be able to help you decide on a reading that fits in with your wedding. As well as other Bible readings, she or he may be happy for you to include a suitable non-religious reading. Choices have been as diverse as ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and ‘Captain Corelli’.

Music

At a wedding you need to plan for:

  • Music while the guests arrive
  • Music for The Procession of The Bride – her walk down the aisle at the start of the service
  • Music during the service e.g. during the signing of the registers
  • Hymns
  • Music for The Recession – as you leave the church

Our Director of Music has prepared a great guide to choosing your wedding music to read it click here.

Flowers

Many wedding couples and those holding funeral services wish to include flowers. We at St Mary’s are delighted when they do as we feel they enhance the beauty of our very special church.

As from May 8th, 2022, we are changing our flower policy. We are pleased to announce that you may now bring your own florist into St Mary’s Barnes for the creation of your displays.

There will be a cost of £110 payable to St. Mary’s prior to the service and this will cover the use of church containers such as urns. This charge will be included alongside other wedding related fees.

You can find full details regarding flower arrangements in our St Marys Wedding Pack 2024

Bells

At weddings, bells are rung usually at the beginning and end of the service. Please indicate on the booking form if you would like to request the ringing of the bells for your wedding. The arrangement covers ringing for up to 1 hour and 15 minutes after the scheduled start of the ceremony. If the service is expected to be longer than usual and/or if the bells are required to ring beyond the 1 hour and 15 minutes, then the ringers would need to be advised and an increased fee would apply.

Photos

Photography is an important feature in your wedding arrangements and it is hoped you will arrange for a photographer who will respect the restrictions for photography in St. Mary’s Barnes. Please ask your photographer to speak to the priest before the service. Video photography is only permitted after consultation, please check with your priest. For legal reasons, the fees of the choir and organist are doubled when a video is taken.

Service sheets

Many couples like to have their own personal order of service sheet printed, although this not essential. If you are planning to do this please consult the priest conducting the wedding before it is printed. Printed example wedding orders of service are available from the Parish Office.

Rehearsal

A wedding rehearsal with your priest will be arranged for some point during the week prior to your wedding. The bride, groom, the person giving away the bride, the best man or woman, bridesmaids and pageboys will need to attend your rehearsal. If you are using a personalised order of service, you will need to bring ten copies to the rehearsal.

Useful links

The official wedding site of the Church of England has an excellent Wedding Planning aid. There is also a section with suggestions for readings. This list has suggestions of wedding apps that can help you create your own wedding website and also find suppliers, keep track of your budget, guest list, and seating plan.

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Wedding Galleries

Fees

WEDDING SERVICE (including certificate and reading of the Banns)£531
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Fee for music planning (includes one planning consultation)
£60
Organist
(fee applies even if couples' own organist is used)
£165
Verger£60
Bells£340
Choir (professional quartet)Price on application. Contact the church office
Flowers £110 arrangement fee for use of external florists.
Please see Wedding Pack for details.
Voluntary contribution to the Mission and Ministry of St Mary's (we can claim 25% from HMRC)£380
BLESSING OF MARRIAGE
Service
Voluntary contribution to the Mission & Ministry of St Mary's
(we can claim 25% from HMRC)
£300
£380
TO CALL BANNS WITHOUT SERVICE£54
Live streaming£60