(we are bound by the laws of the Church of England)
To be married at Holy Trinity one of you must either live in the Parish or have a “Qualifying Connection” to it (see separate sheet for further information). If not we can offer you a wedding blessing (ie. after the legalities are done at a registry office) or you must attend church here regularly for 6 months before your wedding can be booked (please ask for more details if this applies to you)
The first step if you would like to get married at Holy Trinity is to complete the Banns/Marriage application form and the qualifying connection form. These can be downloaded and completed, and returned either on paper or by email. Please contact Nick or Carol Miles on the number below for details of where to send/return the forms.
We will let you know the dates of the three Sundays when your Banns are to be read out at Holy Trinity. Please do come along to hear them read out – it will help to ensure that the details are correct.
If one or both of you live in another parish, you need to arrange for your Banns to be read out in the Church of England there. After the three readings there, you need to collect the certificate and hand it to us (Nick & Jan). Without it, you cannot be married! There will be a fee payable to that Church for the certificate. Please note that these Banns cannot be read out more than three months before the date of the wedding.
If you are getting married in a different church, but you live in Hartshill parish, you will need to have your banns read at Holy Trinity as well as the church where your service will be held. You will therefore need to complete the form entitled "Banns Only"
It would be appreciated if you would discuss any requirements for floral displays with us.
We can arrange for an organist to play at your wedding – please discuss your choice of hymns with Heather. For your entrance and exit music, and during the signing of the register, you have the choice of music played on the organ or CDs may be played through our sound system.
These are not usually essential but may provide a reminder of your special day. They usually include the following:
Of course, you may choose to move the second hymn or have a third one. Please ensure that Heather has seen a proof copy of your Order of Service before it goes to print. We can also offer you at a very reasonable price – printed and personalised orders of service for your special day (see Heather / Nick for examples).
Photographs inside the Church are to be taken only by the official photographer, after discussion with Heather. This usually involves a photo of the couple at the front, the signing of the register and the bridal couple walking back down the aisle. We ask that they stay in one fixed place during the service – and if possible to come to the rehearsal to see the lay out of the church before the day.
Video photography: If you wish to have video photography during the service, you need to obtain a Certified Video Licence and present it to us before the wedding day. For more information, visit www.videolicence.co.uk or phone 01323 436111.
As you will appreciate, car parking spaces for guests within the Church car park are limited. However, it may be possible for you to make arrangements with Michael Drayton School opposite the Church for the use of its playground, with advance notice. This would be a private arrangement between you and the school. (School telephone: 02476 392272)
Confetti should be thrown on the grassed areas only please – and should be biodegradable.
As part of the preparation for your wedding, we will ask you to attend 2 sessions – one with Heather to discuss the service and your vows, and one with our Wedding Team, to help you prepare for married life. These will be opportunities for you to raise any issues of concern or to seek advice.
Heather will arrange a mutually convenient date & time for a wedding rehearsal, near to the actual day. This will usually require the couple, both sets of parents, best man, bridesmaids/page boys, ushers etc – any who are able to attend.
They can be paid in instalments although the full balance would need to be paid in full at the end of the rehearsal at the latest.
If you wish to pay by cheque, payment must be received at least one month before the wedding.
A non-returnable deposit of £50 is payable at the time of booking. This will be deducted from the total when your final payment is requested.
As far as your wedding service in Church is concerned, the following arrangements need to be in place at least THREE MONTHS before your Wedding Day:
Other things that need to be finalised before the rehearsal are:
Finally, please remember that it is possible for a bride to obtain a PASSPORT in her married name, by filling in form PD2 (from the Post Office). This will require two recent passport photo’s, signed and certified. This will, of course, take some time to arrive !
Please be aware we might have plans to do maintanance or repair work. If you would like to know then please contact us and we can take every effort to ensure the church is looking it's best for your big day,
We hope that this information is of some use to you in the planning & preparation for your wedding. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.
Rev. Heather Barnes, Nick & Carol Miles,
Holy Trinity, Hartshill.
Rev. Heather Barnes
024 7639 2266
Nick & Carol Miles
024 7639 4339