Trent and Derwent Parish Churches

Weddings in the Trent and Derwent Parish Churches

If you are looking to get married , we are happy to discuss the possibility of arranging a marriage service for you at one of our churches if one of the following “qualifying connections” applies to you or your partner.

  • You are currently resident in the parish in which you wish to be married and have lived there for at least 6 months.
  • The parish church in which you wish to be married is your current place of worship and you have attended services regularly for the last six months.
  • You were baptised (christened) in the parish church in which you wish to be married.
  • The parish in which you wish to be married presented you for confirmation.
  • You have been resident in the parish in which you wish to be married for at least six months at any time in the past.
  • You have regularly attended public worship in the parish church in which you wish to be married for at least six months at any time in the past.
  • During your lifetime, one of your parents has resided in the parish for at least six months or regularly been to church there over a period of six months.
  • A parent or grandparent was married in the parish church in which you wish to be married.

If none of the above apply, you may wish to discuss the possibility of making the church in which you wish to be married your regular place of worship for at least six months in order to establish a “qualifying connection.”

We are usually happy to offer marriage to divorced people at the parish priest’s discretion. A “qualifying connection” will still need to apply

If you would like to enquire about booking a wedding, there is a “surgery” hour every Monday between 7.00 and 8.00 p.m. in the Vestry at Aston on Trent. You can also contact Tony, the Area Vicar, by phone, e mail or via the contact page for further information or advice about getting married.

If you have a particular date in mind, you can check the website diary page to see if the church of your choice is available, this is updated on a weekly basis.

Further Useful Information and Costs

Marriage Fees for 2011

  Aston Barrow Elvaston Shardlow Swarkestone Twyford Weston
Basic Cost £375 £370 £410 £375 £370 £370 £375
Extras:              
Choir £50 £50 £50 £30 £50 £50 £50
Bells £100 £45 - £80 £30 £45 £50
Video £30 £30 £30 £30 £30 £30 £30
Heating (winter) £25 £25 £30 £25 £25 £25 £25

Banns

Banns are the legal notices of marriage which we read out in Church on three Sundays during the twelve weeks prior to your wedding. Dates will be given when these will be read at the church where you are to be married. If either of you are resident in another parish or parishes, the banns will need to be read there too. A charge of £34 will be made by the parish concerned.

The correct calling of the banns and obtaining of the certificate(s) is an important legal precondition for your marriage. In some circumstances, where the calling of banns is not permitted or inappropriate, arrangements can be made for your marriage to be conducted by licence.

Flowers

Please contact the parish priest or a local church official if you wish to arrange access to the church for flower arrangements or decorations. Please make sure that nothing is attached to any of the church furniture by drawing pins, adhesive tape or anything else which will make a lasting mark, however small.

Bells

Only Aston and Shardlow have a full peal of bells. Our teams of bell-ringers are all volunteers. Whilst we endeavour to do our best to obtain a team for your wedding, there may be occasions when this proves impossible because of holiday or work commitments. Bells are rung at the end of the service only.

Photographs/Videos

We are happy for photographs to be taken before and after the service and when the registers are signed, but not during the actual service. In most circumstances we apply the same rule for videos. However, if you are using a professional videographer, who possesses a copyright licence, we can give permission for the whole service to be filmed. In this case you will need to sign a form and an extra fee of £30 is charged.

Vehicles of extraordinary length

We would not recommend the hiring of stretched limousines for weddings at Elvaston, Weston or Twyford. A bride recently had to walk to church at Elvaston because there was not enough room for the limousine to turn into the Church drive!


Punctuality

Most brides manage to arrive on time, give or take 5 minutes. Recently, we have had one or two occasions when brides have arrived over 30 minutes late. Clergy, organists, choir and vergers may have other weddings/appointments that day, so it is very discourteous to arrive extremely late even on your big day! In such circumstances the minister leading the service may use his/her discretion and shorten the service.

Change of Circumstances, Cancellation etc.

If you book a wedding with us, please let us know immediately if either of you are planning to change your address before your wedding. This could affect the legal situation with regard to the calling of banns. It is helpful too if you could let us know if you change your telephone number.

If for any reason you decide you wish to postpone your wedding or cancel altogether, it is vitally important that you are courteous and let us know. Remember, someone else may want the date and time we have reserved for you.


1350 years of Christian ministry along the river Trent