Weddings may be held at any of our three churches and our three halls are also available for receptions. Our minister, Trevor Jennings, is also willing to officiate at outdoor weddings and other venues.
Steps to arranging our wedding? (scroll down for more details)
1. Contact the minister to check the availability of the church and the minister and make an appointment to meet with the minister.
2. Initial Meeting with the minister. At this initial meeting a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ form will be completed. The Wedding Ceremony and other issues will be discussed.
3. Prepare the Wedding Ceremony
4. Subsequent meetings to discuss the ceremony or other issues may be made at anytime.
5. Wedding Rehearsal. A Declaration will be signed at this meeting.
6. Wedding Ceremony
1. Contact the Minister
Please contact Rev Trevor Jennings on 0409 648 623 or on trevorgjennings@hotmail.com to book a church venue and check the minister’s availability. Trevor will be happy to show you each of our venues and discuss fees and other requirements.
2. Initial Meeting
At the initial meeting there is an opportunity for you as a couple to get to know the minister. Any issues that may arise as you plan your wedding and as you plan to spend the rest of your lives together can be discussed. The wedding ceremony is also discussed. The minister will give you a pamphlet regarding marriage preparation and some copies of wedding ceremonies plus a copy of UnitingChurchwedding ceremonies. Examples of wedding ceremonies can also be emailed if you wish. These act as templates to put your own unique ceremony together.
At the initial meeting a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ form is usually signed with your signatures and witnessed by the minister. The completed ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ form remains with the minister until it is lodged with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages along with the Marriage Certificate after the ceremony has taken place. If either of you have been divorced you will need to bring along your divorce papers for the minister to witness. If you have been born in Australia or are Australian citizens the minister will need to witness your birth certificates. For those who are not Australian citizens please bring a copy of your passport to be witnessed. If either of you wish to change your names after your wedding an official marriage certificate will need to be purchased from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Information and forms as well as costs for official marriage certificates can be downloaded fromHERETHE NEW NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE FORM for all notices given from 9 December 2017 can be downloaded from HERE
3. Prepare the Wedding Ceremony
As a couple you are encouraged to thoughtfully create your own ceremony using the guidelines under which a Uniting Church Minister is licensed to marry people. There is a lot of flexibility to produce a ceremony than is in line with your own personal beliefs and wishes. The order of service is often completed by corresponding with the minister via Email. It is helpful to prepare the wedding ceremony a number of weeks before the wedding takes place as there may be many other things to in the last few weeks.
4. Subsequent meetings
Subsequent meetings to discuss the ceremony or other issues may be made at anytime. This can be done over the phone or by email also.
5. Wedding Rehearsal
A rehearsal is usually held during the week prior to the wedding. This is important as it helps to make sure the actual wedding goes smoothly. Saying your vows at the rehearsal is very helpful for those unused to speaking in public. At this meeting a declaration will need to be signed by both of you confirming that there are no prohibiting reasons why you may not marry. Not all the bridal party need attend.
6. The Wedding Ceremony
The groom and groomsmen usually arrive 30 minutes before the wedding is due to start to make sure everything ready for the bride’s entrance.
For outdoor weddings it is recommended to have a person assigned to marshalling the guests and liaising with the minister, musicians, singers, sound operators, photographers and caterers to ensure the smooth running of the event.
Please ask the photographer to speak with the minister before the ceremony starts about guidelines for taking photos during the ceremony.
Twp people are required to be witnesses to the wedding. They can be anyone you chose over 18 years old.
After the Wedding
Following the wedding the minister completes the registration online and mails the Certificates to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
At anytime during your marriage you may contact the minister to discuss any issues that concerns you about your relationship.
Fees
Weddings conducted in one of our churches cost $850.00. Outdoor weddings are $500.00 plus travel for the rehearsal and ceremony. Payment made be made into the following Uniting Financial Services Account Account name: Campsie Earlwood Clemton Park UCA BSB: 634 634 Account number: 1000 20842
Forms and Certificates
The cost of forms except for the Official Marriage Certificate issued by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages are included in the fees. Prices and styles of Official Marriage Certificate are available online (click here). When registering the marriage the minister can order your Official Marriage Certificate. This saves you having to present proof of your marriage if you were to order the Certificate yourself.
Should you wish to download a ‘Notice of Intended Marriage’ you can download it HERE
