MARRIAGE AT ST JUDE’S, RANDWICK
A DISTINCTIVE CEREMONY
St Jude’s has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the best places to be married in Sydney. It is a traditional church, and is best suited to that style of wedding.
By asking to be married here you are choosing to make your vows before God in a solemn yet joyful Christian ceremony. You are not “hiring” the church, but requesting marriage according to the Anglican order.
Services are conducted by the Rector Greg Job.
We seek to be a welcoming church, and want to encourage marriage as the appropriate way to express committed and intimate human relationships.
BAPTISM
It is not compulsory that couples are Baptised or Confirmed to be married here. However we do ask you to consider such steps as a preparation for the spiritual aspects of the commitment you are making before God.
PART OF A COMMUNITY
Couples who are to be married here, are asked to attend church a 3 or 4 times before the wedding service, as part of your preparation for the wedding day. This will help you feel more a part of the church, and the community of people can then join the anticipation of your happy day.
MARRIED PREVIOUSLY
If one of the parties has been divorced, then the first step is to bring the original Decree Nisi or Absolute and briefly discuss with the Rector the circumstances of the divorce and the care of any children. This must be done before any booking is made. The church seeks to uphold the sanctity of the marriage vows, as well as to understand and affirm people in their individual situations.
SERVICES
An Anglican Church has a set order to be followed for the Marriage Service.
“A Prayer Book for Australia” has two forms of the service which will be discussed in the planning preparation.
The vows are as per the service and can be learnt by heart or repeated after the Minister.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Couples are asked to make a personalized "Order of Service" to be given to attending guests. The words of Hymns etc and outline of service can then be set out for the guests to follow. Discussed with handouts at second interview.
READINGS
A list of suggested readings is provided (at second interview) for your help in choosing one or more Bible readings for your service. It is good if a valued family member or friend be asked to read.
PROCESSIONAL MUSIC
A list of suggested entry and exit music is also provided for you. The organist can play through possible music with you at a Sunday Morning appointment.
HYMNS
The organ and the Parish organist are an integral and essential part of the services here, and add greatly to the nature of the wedding.
Two or three is a good number of hymns to have at a wedding. However couples may choose to have more or less. A list of suggested hymns will be given at the second interview.
Any music or singing in the church must be a part of the Christian nature of the service. Love songs of the "pop" variety are best left to the reception. We reserve the right to say "no" to songs that are not Christian in content.
BELLS OPTION
The bells of St Jude’s have rung out since 1865, announcing thousands of newly married couples and other services.
These “Randwick Bells” have been sung about by Paul Kelly and Jimmy Little. Eight new bells were made in England in the year 2000 to continue the ancient art of change ringing by a trained team of ringers on the ropes.
The bells are an optional choice to be rung at a weekend wedding (other times possible). They are rung before the Bridal party arrives, and stop before the bride enters the church, as the Organ music ushers in the Bridal Party. Bells are then rung as the couple leave the Church to announce the marriage to the community.
CHOIR OPTION
The church choir is usually available to sing at weekend weddings if desired. This helps with the singing of the hymns. The choir can then also sing whilst the Register is being signed.
Other singers can be arranged through the organist at your request.
FLOWERS
St Jude’s has a lovely ongoing custom of the flowers being prepared by the women of the church on a Flower Roster. Usually neutral colours are arranged unless otherwise requested and agreed by all of the weddings on the day.
At least six arrangements are placed in various parts of the church to add to its beauty.
The cost of the flowers is included in the Basic Fee, and as the arranging is done voluntarily the deal is an excellent one for you, and saves hundreds of dollars.
If you would like to put ribbons on the pew ends then this can be done on the morning of the wedding or just before if there is more than one wedding.
All decorations are to be tied in place. No form of adhesive, (eg Blu-tac or tape or pins) to be used in the church, as it damages the timberwork.
NO CONFETTI PLEASE
Rice or flower petals or bubbles are OK outside the church, but no confetti to be used as it is impossible to clean it up.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photograph and Video (without video lights) are permitted during the service, as long as they are discrete, considering the service and the guests. Seats are reserved for photographers 5 rows back.
Photographers and Video operators to speak with Verger before the Wedding.
PREPARATION
There are a number of short Marriage Preparation Courses available to engaged couples. Couples are requested to attend a Marriage Preparation Course before the Wedding.
NOTICE
In order to give good time for preparations at least six months or more is best.
As a minimum we require three months from date of first interview.
NEXT STEPS
If you desire to proceed with an application for your marriage at St Jude's would you please complete the enclosed Application Form and then telephone the Secretary Veralene to make an appointment to meet with the Rector, 9:30am to 5:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday.
First Interview is to get to know you as a couple, discuss your marriage, and then enter a booking in our diary.
(Bring signed Application form.)
(If previously married bring Decree Nisi.)
Second Interview please book 3 to 5 months before the wedding. This interview is needed to complete the official paperwork and to discuss the Order of Service, Music and Bible Readings.
(Bring Birth Certificates)
Third Interview Please book 1 to 2 months before the wedding to finalize the Order of Service, the arrangements for the day, and to set a rehearsal time for just prior to the wedding.
(Please bring payments)
Rehearsal preferably 5pm or 6pm, on either the Thursday or the Friday just before the Wedding so that most of bridal party can be there, and it stays fresh in people’s memory.
(Bring 2 copies of finalized - Order of Service.)
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