weddings

The Church of Scotland

Alves & Burghead Parish

Practical Guidelines

for

Christian Marriage

We are delighted that you are planning to have a Christian Marriage. When marriages begin with God's Blessing, we believe that loving relationships are enriched and more lasting.

The following notes are guidelines. However, do please feel able to contact the Minister as soon as possible to discuss your plans and to ensure that your preferred date is available. Although we would prefer you to commit yourselves to married life in the Church, if you are considering an alternative location, please discuss this with the Minister. He may be contacted on 01309 690931.

Registrar

You will need to contact your local Registrar(s) not more than 3 months prior to, and not less than 3 weeks before, your Wedding Day. Do take with you your Birth Certificates and, if applicable, Certificate of Absolute from a former marriage.
Registrars: Elgin 01343 554600 and Forres 01309 694000.

Music

It is usual to have Christian hymns/songs during the Service and music to accompany your arrival or departure from the Church. The Church organist is happy to advise and discuss music with you. Organists are Mrs Eleanor Butler 01343 850209 for Alves and Mr David French 01343 830433 for Burghead. You may of course use a competent musician whom you know.

Flowers

You may decorate the Church with flowers if you wish. It is a custom to leave a small arrangement in the Church after the Wedding, but this is not obligatory. NO Flowers should be placed on the Communion Table, as this will be in use during the Service. Do please ensure that any fixings used for arrangements do not damage the fabric of the building.

Church Officer

Responsibility for opening the Church, cleaning, heating and lighting is delegated to the Church Officer. He should be contacted and a time negotiated for access to arrange flowers etc. He is Mr Patrick Glendinning on 01343 830932.

Photography

Photography/Video is allowed but restricted during the Service. Please discuss this with the Minister first and advise any professional photographer to contact him also. Please check that your video operator has the necessary copyright licence for the recording of music at the ceremony.

Rehearsal

There is no requirement for a rehearsal! The Minister believes that a wedding ought to be a spontaneous and unique event in your lives. It is not a theatrical performance!

Fees

There are no fees payable to or for the Minister !
However, bearing in mind that churches are invariably historic buildings requiring constant upkeep and which also require heating and lighting, you will appreciate we have to make a charge. You should place the respective fees for the Church, the Organist and the Church Officer in suitable envelopes and give them to the respective parties in advance or on the day. If one of you is a tax payer, please ask the Minister for a Gift Aid Declaration Form. This allows the church to retrieve an additional tax concession from HM Government.... at no extra cost to you!
There are, however, fees for use of the Church: £ 200; for services of the Organist £ 60 and the Church Officer £ 45.

And Finally. . . .

The Registrar will have the Schedule of Marriage ready for you to collect during the week leading up to the Wedding. This Schedule MUST be in the hands of the Minister by the Wedding Day. If he does not have it, then by Law he is forbidden to proceed! Please also arrange for a reliable person to return the Schedule to the Registrar within 3 working days of the Marriage.

Any Questions?

Please feel able to contact the Session Clerk or Minister at any time.

With every good wish and blessing to you for your marriage and your future together,

from the Minister, Kirk Session and Congregation of Alves & Burghead Church.