Anglican Parish of Mullumbimby

If you are planning on getting married, our sincere congratulations on your decision to be married. This will indeed be a happy and busy time for you. Be assured of the Church’s prayers for you as you make your preparations.

We offer weddings in our churches or outdoors. Please read for more information and feel free to contact us.

As part of your own preparation, we invite you to join us occasionally at worship; This helps us to know you better, and gives you the real opportunity of involving God in your life and in your marriage.

The church will provide a beautiful setting for a very important occasion in your life.

I hope the promises and commitment you make will be for life, and in coming to the Church for marriage, you are asking God to be part of your marriage . . . . not just for a day but for its entirety. The Church feels a continuing care and responsibility for you. If at any time you need advice or counsel, do not hesitate to come to us for whatever help you need.

WHAT THE CHURCH REQUIRES

instance with the minister, BEFORE any invitations are issued or caterers engaged, as the date and the time desired may not be available.

All couples being married in Mullumbimby Anglican Parish are given the opportunity to participate in the marriage preparation course called “PREPARE” which forms the basis for discussion at interviews. The cost for “PREPARE”: is $60.00 for the couple and provides you with a computerised assessment of your relationship.

before their marriage. The Church is concerned that you make your promises with complete understanding of the deep commitment Christian marriage involves. Feel free to ask questions about this during your interviews or at any other time.

Marriage is a CHRISTIAN Sacrament:- one of the “gifts” God gives to members of His Church. Both parties to the marriage ought to be baptised, but at least ONE of the parties to the marriage must be baptised. If you are not baptised, and would like to be, suitable instruction can be arranged. See the minister about this in good time.

Where both parties to the marriage are CONFIRMED it is possible for your marriage to include the celebration of HOLY

A day or two before the marriage, is usually the occasion for a practice in the Church with all the wedding party present.

Declarations as to Conjugal Status are also signed by both parties witnessed by the minister.

If one or both, are divorced, it is necessary to complete additional forms regarding the previous marriage, including reasons for the termination. The forms are submitted to the Bishop who must give his consent before the marriage can proceed. The Bishop requires an assurance that the couple are prepared to participate in the life and worship of the Anglican Church, now and in the future.

Legal certificate cost $ 45

(receive in mail from BDM after wedding)

Diploma of marriage cost $ 20

Please do not have your invitations printed until you have confirmed the date and time of the ceremony with our minister. We ask you to use the correct name and address for the church which is:

St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Stuart Street, Mullumbimby

St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Fingal Street, Brunswick Heads

St. Anselm’s Anglican Church, Orana Road, Ocean Shores

If it is an outdoor location, you will need to have approvals from local council and/or land owners.
We will also need to ensure there is a wet weather option planned.

Please note that the name of the church is “ANGLICAN”. Do not use the title “CHURCH OF ENGLAND”. This information also applies to pre-wedding announcements in local newspapers.

change of date or time

If for any reason, you find it necessary to alter the time or change the date, or even to postpone the wedding, please observe the courtesy of informing our minister immediately, so that suitable arrangements may be made.

flowers

Members of the Flower roster always attend to the flowers in readiness for services on the weekend. However, if special flowers are required, the person rostered for duty should be consulted and the flowers brought to the church at a time suitable to them. Please note: if supplying your own flowers please arrange to leave some flowers behind for the Sunday Services.

candle ceremony

An option to be included into your ceremony is a ‘candle lighting ceremony’. This involves the symbolic giving of the couple’s families to the other family by the lighting of two decorated candles placed on the altar. The couple then light their own decorated candle of unity from these candles. The candles are retained by the families for later symbolic lightings at your wedding anniversaries.

seat decorations

If seat decorations are used, they may be affixed to the end of the pews by means of elastic or ribbon only. YOU MUST NOT USE STICKY TAPE, PINS, BLUE TAC OR ADHESIVES.

photographs or videos

Your photographer is welcome to record your wedding on film. However, it is a courtesy for him/her to introduce him/herself to the

minister, who will give details of what is permitted.

organist

A regular church organist is available to provide wedding music.

music

All music at weddings, as at other Church services, is subject to the

minister’s approval. Some music (love ballads etc.) is suitable for receptions, but not for a service in the Church.

Competent soloists only are permitted to sing, and it is recommended only after a suitable rehearsal with the organist.

Please be punctual. Your appointment is with God, our minister, and yours guests. It is grave discourtesy for the Bride to be deliberately late. There is no “TRADITION” for the Bride to be late. Be exactly on time. Marriage is an important occasion and should not be entered into lightly or carelessly.

the groom and his attendants must arrive and present themselves at the Church at least TEN MINUTES BEFORE the time of the ceremony. They should arrive in a fit and orderly manner.

This booklet forms part of a “MARRIAGE FOLDER” given to you by our minister.

Marriage is celebrated within the framework of the Commonwealth Marriage Act, which is a Federal Law governing all marriages

celebrated within Australia and her Territories. Failure to comply with all the provisions of the Marriage Act involves heavy penalties, invalidation of the marriage, and possible jail terms.

MARRIAGEABLE AGE: A person is of marriageable age if they have attained the age of eighteen (18) years. However a person under 18 years of age may apply to a judge or magistrate for an order authorizing him or her to marry a particular person of marriageable age. Full details are available from the minister.

BIRTH CERTIFICATES: A Birth Certificate (or a Certificate Copy of Entry) MUST BE SHOWN TO THE CELEBRANT OF THE MARRIAGE. A Driver’s Licence, Service Identity Card or photocopy of Birth Certificate IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES: may be obtained from the District Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, (Office: Local Court House, nearest you). You may also obtain this information by writing to the Registrar General’s Department in Sydney, or in the Capital City of the State in which the applicant was born.

EVIDENCE OF DEATH: A death Certificate (or a Funeral Director’s official Receipt) must be produced before the Marriage of a

DIVORCE: In cases where special approval has been given for the re-marriage of a divorced person, the Marriage Celebrant must be shown the Decree stating the date of the termination of the previous marriage. Information concerning the date of the termination of the previous marriage. Information concerning the date of the first union and number of children (together with dates of birth) must also be supplied to the Celebrant.

COMPULSION: IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ACT FOR ANY PERSON TO BE MARRIED UNDER DURESS,

SOBRITY: It is an offence under the Act for any marriage to be solemnized if one or both of the Parties to the union APPEAR TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF, OR AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

LEGAL DOCUMENTATION: A number of Legal Documents must be signed as part of the Marriage Contract.

Statutory Declarations as to legal fitness of the couple to be married must be signed before the Marriage and be WITNESSED BY THE CELEBRANT OF THE MARRIAGE.

Where necessary, Consent Forms must be signed, witnessed and handed to the Celebrant before the date of the Marriage.

Two Marriage Certificates are signed on the day of the Marriage. One Certificate is sent to the Registrar General, the other is handed to the parties of the Marriage.