Congratulations if you have made the decision to get married. We wish you every blessing and we hope that your wedding day will be one of the memories you will treasure for the rest of your lives. Here at the Franciscan Church of the Immaculate Conception, we will give you every help to make this come true.

Marriage at the Friary
Where do you start? First of all it is necessary to contact the Parish Priest. We tend to follow Diocesan directives and ask for at least six month’s notice for a wedding.
Normally one of the priests or the deacon will perform the ceremony. However, all couples may have any Catholic priest friend who is outside the parish. If a Catholic is marrying a Christian from another church, the Minister from that church would be most welcome to take part in the marriage service. We do encourage couples to get married within their own parish community but if you live outside the parish and have personal reasons for choosing this church, please talk to the Parish Priest who will try to help.


Sacrament
Marriage is a sacrament. Your choice of this church for your wedding implies that you have a real spiritual dimension to your life, that you understand the profound nature and commitment of the vows you make and you want the blessing of the Church in your union.
By being married in the church you are publicly asking Jesus to be part of your married life together. Regular practice of the faith is an important part of this.

Marriage Course
The Church cares about you. We want all marriages to work; for couples to stay in love and to be together all their married days.
There is a requirement that all couples getting married in the Catholic Church take part in a marriage preparation course. The course is usually one day, during a weekend and is led by married couples experienced in family life. They are organised by established groups within the church and offer an opportunity for couples to meet other people who are also preparing for marriage.
The dates for Marriage Courses are available through the Parish Office. We ask you to select a date which is most convenient to yourselves. Before your wedding day it is good to have these few hours away from daily pressures to think about your relationship and plan your future lives together.

Marriage Details
Marriages usually take place on Saturdays. To allow more than one marriage at a weekend, we normally like weddings to begin at 12 noon, 2pm or 4pm. This helps prevent wedding parties clashing with each other and ensures that there will be sufficient room in the car park for the next wedding.

A wedding rehearsal is always organised before the marriage. This allows the couple to feel comfortable with the arrangements and for the readers to practice.

Photographs and Videos
The Ceremony of Marriage is a religious service. We have no objections to photographs being taken or videos being used provided it does not take away from the religious aspect of the occasion.

Today we are very aware of the laws on copyright. A video licence is required by civil law to record the wedding ceremony. Most commercial companies who specialise in marriages will already have an appropriate licence. If a licence is not held, an application form for video can be obtained from CCLI on 01323 417711 or Calamus 01638-716579.
If you intend to print an order of service and include words of hymns, you must make sure that these hymns are covered by our parish copyright licence. If you intend to use pre-recorded music, a licence is needed from PPL (020 7534 1000). If the wedding service is being video taped and you are having pre-recorded music, then you will also need to contact MCPS on 020 8769 4400.

Documents Required
For Catholics:
Catholics must provide a new copy of their baptism certificate. This can be obtained from your church of baptism and must be issued not more than six months before the date of the wedding. Confirmation details are usually contained on this certificate.

If you have lived in any parish, apart form Clevedon, since the age of sixteen, you will need letters of freedom from the Parish Priests of the parishes in which you have lived. Please give these papers to the priest.

For Non-Catholic Christians:
You must provide a copy of your baptism (christening) certificate. Also a letter from your parents/guardian, stating that to the best of their knowledge, you have not been through any form of marriage, either civil or religious.

For Non Baptised:
Please speak with the priest who will explain the necessary documents.


Civil Law Requirements
All couples getting married must contact the Civil Registrar for Marriages and receive an ‘Authority for Marriage’. This can be issued up to one year before the marriage and should be done as soon as possible. For marriages in our church, contact the Registrars Office, (01934-627552) to make an appointment.

A document will be given to you which you must give to the authorised person at the church on the day of your marriage or if possible at the wedding rehearsal. We cannot perform any marriages without this.


Useful Information

Church Flowers: Sheila Hampton
Music: Catherine Hanley
Altar Servers: Parish Office, 01275-873205


Fees for the above should be made directly to the people concerned and not through the priest.

It is customary to make an offering to the parish church which covers expenses and the use of the church. An offering of £150 is usual but if any couples have difficulty with this please speak to the priest. We suggest that all fees are paid on or before the wedding rehearsal. Cheques for church fees should be made payable to: The Friary, Clevedon.

Except during the period of Lent, please leave wedding flowers in the Church.
 

Click on links to see other Sacrament pages:

Pre-Baptism                Holy Communion                Confirmation