Welcome
We are delighted that you are thinking of choosing St Chad's Parish Church for your wedding and we hope that you will find the following information useful. If you are have any further questions or need more information, please contact either the Parish Administrator, Jenni Hall, on 0113 274 4322 (Email) or the vicar, Revd Tom Lusty, on 0113 278 2475 (Email)
We wish you all the very best for your wedding, wherever it takes place, and good wishes for your future life together.
Who can get married at St Chad's?
Can I get married in church if I or my partner are divorced?
What if I or my partner are not EU citizens?
How do I know which parish I live in?
Can I get married on any day of the week at St Chad's?
What is a wedding at St Chad's like?
We want a reception venue nearby.
Who can get married at St Chad's?
St Chad's is an Anglican (Church of England) parish church. Anyone who lives in the parish is welcome to have their wedding here. In addition, anyone who regularly (at least once a month) worships here is also welcome. The Church of England recognises that others may wish to be married in a parish church who have particular connections with the parish despite not living here. Perhaps you were baptised or confirmed here or your family home was here and your parents still live in the parish?
For this reason, there are also the following ‘Qualifying Connections' which would enable you to be married at St Chad's:
1 Either of you were baptised or confirmed at St Chad's
2 Either of you lived in the parish for at least 6 months at any time.
3 Either of you have at any time worshipped regularly here
4 Any of your parents have lived in the parish for at least 6 months during your lifetime
5 Any of your parents have worshipped regularly at St Chad's for at least 6 months during your lifetime
6 Any of your parents or grandparents were married at St Chad's
Can I get married in church if I or my partner are divorced?
The Church of England believes in the life long sanctity of marriage, but recognises that in some cases this does not work out. You would need to speak to the Vicar before arranging a wedding.
What if I or my partner are not EU citizens?
In this case, you can still be married at St Chad's, but there is a slightly different procedure because you would need to get a licence in order to be married. The Vicar can explain this to you. You would not need to have Banns read if you are being married by licence.
Before you can be married in the church, you will need to have your Banns of Marriage read out, usually at the morning service on the first three Sundays of the month before the wedding. This is basically an ‘identity check' to ensure you are who you say you are, but attending church to hear the reading of the Banns can be a very moving experience for many couples as they realise that at last their wedding is near! If either of you does not live in the parish, you will need to have your Banns read in the parish where you live as well, but the Parish Office can advise you on this. There is no need for you to have any contact with the Registry Office in Leeds, as the Banns procedure bypasses that. If you are being married by licence there is no need for the reading of Banns
How do I know which parish I live in?
Parish boundaries can be a bit wayward at times. Your parish church is not necessarily the one nearest to where you live. The best way to find out is to go to the Directory Search on the website for the diocese of Ripon and Leeds, scroll down and put your postcode in. You will then be able to find out which parish you live in.
Can I get married on any day of the week at St Chad's?
Yes, indeed you can. Most weddings still take place on Fridays and Saturdays, but there is nothing to prevent you getting married on any day of the week including a Sunday, providing that the church is available. Legally you must be married between the hours of 8am and 6pm.
What is a wedding at St Chad's like?
Well, how long is a piece of string! St Chad's is a large and impressive church which has recently been reordered inside. There are no pews, but chairs instead which can be moved around and therefore the space is quite flexible. The main church can seat up to 200, with the possibility of more seating if necessary. There is a crèche area at the back of the church.
St Chad's can cope with large or small weddings. The glassed off Lady Chapel seats a maximum of 40 people, so if you want a small quiet wedding then that might suit. There is also a small kitchenette area for tea/coffee/drinks if necessary.
The church has a very good Harrison and Harrison organ which dates from 1911 and our organist is very keen to play for weddings, but there is also the option of an electric keyboard or a piano. Some wedding couples have brought their own music in the shape of string quartets or bands. There is a modern sound system which can play CDs etc. The church also has 8 bells which can be rung for weddings. Early booking of the bells is essential especially on weekdays during the summer months due to the holiday period. Our church choir may be available, by arrangement, to sing for weddings as well.
You are welcome to throw confetti at weddings, but we ask that this only be thrown at the bottom of the church steps, and that it be of the biodegradable type.
The church has disabled access and has a disabled lift inside the church to allow access to the high altar and choir stalls. There is a disabled toilet.
Our own flower arrangers will provide small flower arrangements in cream/white at the entrance to the church, at the altar and at the crossing. You are welcome to employ your own florist for any other floral decorations.
There is car parking at the church. The adjacent Parish Centre also has parking, but it is wise to check if there is a large function booked into the Parish Centre at the same time as your wedding as this may impact on the parking space available. In addition, there is an adjacent cricket pitch and there are matches during the season.
We want a reception venue nearby.
St Chad's Parish Centre, which is at the bottom of the church drive, has good facilities for wedding receptions. You are welcome to visit and have a look round. The website has an online diary, and photographs with further details of what is available there. You are welcome to speak to the Booking Secretary, Tracey Teasdale, on 0113 230 7665, stchadspc@btinternet.com.
Below is a chart with the fees for weddings in 2014. Some of these fees are set centrally by the Church of England (marked with an *) and others are set by St Chad's Parochial Church Council.
Banns * |
21.00 |
|
Marriage Service * |
392.00 |
|
Marriage Certificate * |
4.00 |
|
Verger |
40.00 |
|
Church Maintenance Charge |
75.00 |
|
Use of organ |
40.00 |
|
Organ/Organist (weekdays) |
125.00 |
|
Organ/Organist (Sat/Sun) |
140.00 |
|
Permission for Video (if organist playing) |
125.00/140.00 |
|
Permission for Video (if organist is not playing) |
50.00 |
|
Bells |
160.00 |
|
Permission for still photography |
10.00 |
|
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On booking a wedding, we ask for a deposit of £50, with the balance either by cheque two weeks before the wedding or in cash at the wedding rehearsal. Cheques should be payable to St Chad's PCC.
The Church of England website which gives lots of details about weddings in Church.
Diocese of Ripon and Leeds website the webpage of our diocese.
The Royal Society of Church Music website where you'll find advice to help you plan your music
20 August 2012
Many thanks to the following who have allowed us to use their photographs : www.cloud9leeds.co.uk, Jo and Thom Day, Simon Futers.
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St Chad's Church
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Outside St Chad's
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Inside St Chad's
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The Lady Chapel
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The Main Hall at the Parish Centre
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