Weddings
A Sacred time and a Special Opportunity.
Weddings are a very special and sacred time in the life of a couple, often time when couples through their mutual love, are especially receptive to the love of God and open to the spiritual dimension of life. We aim to help all wedding couples to work towards a smoothly running and happy wedding day, and to make preparations for a contented married life.
Weddings are usually conducted in the parish church of St James, which is an excellent historic venue for ceremonies.
Normally, to qualify for being married in the parish of Bushey, one or both of the couple will either live in the parish or have ‘qualifying connection’ with that parish (e.g. have parents living in the parish, or have been baptised in the parish etc.). Please enquire about this if you are in doubt.
If you are uncertain which Church of England parish you live in, this website will be helpful.
Saturday weddings are offered at 2pm, 3pm or 4pm by arrangement.
Please use this link for wedding fees. Wedding fees 2024
Making Your Wedding Personal
For all weddings and services of blessing, we aspire to make the service personal, distinctive and spiritually meaningful, within the order of the modern Church of England ceremony. We encourage those getting married to involve friends and relatives in the service in appropriate ways. We have an excellent organist. It is sometimes possible to allow visiting musicians to contribute to the service – for instance during the signing of the register. At St James, bells may be rung at the conclusion of the service. We offer the following downloadable information about weddings in the parish of Bushey.
You may find it helpful also to look at the Church England weddings site, yourchurchwedding.org which gives you advice about crafting your wedding in conversation with your clergy, and about getting the most out of this special time in your life.
If you would like to book a wedding, please contact the Parish Office. 0208 421 8192.
To make a firm booking, we ask that both parties are present to sign the application form and to present proof of identity. We also ask for a non-returnable £50 deposit to secure the booking. The fees for weddings change each year (and for the Church of England certain fees are set by the Church Commissioners). The link below leads to the table of fees for this year.
Marriage Preparation Course
The Parish offers a marriage preparation course early each year for all those getting married in the parish. All couples marrying in the parish are invited to this course which aims to help you build a strong and lasting relationship. The course is based on high quality video material, with couples form all kinds of backgrounds discussing their married life, and its joys and challenges. As a couple attending this course, you will have the opportunity to talk with your partner in private in response to the videos. Whilst being based on Christian principles, it is relevant & helpful for any engaged couple with or without a Christian faith or church background. No group work is required from those attending. If you know people who may be interested in coming along, please mention it to them – it doesn’t matter if they are getting married in another church! This is an important part of our pastoral support to you at this significant time in your life, and everyone who comes along has spoken highly of this useful experience.
Attendance at Church
We a warmly encourage, couples to attend church as much o as possible in the period leading up to your marriage. This will help you to explore God’s good and loving purpose for your life together following you wedding. It will enable us to get to know you as we pray for you and help you to feel more relaxed and at home in ‘your church’ on the wedding day itself. So – not an obligation – just a great opportunity.
Where there has been a previous marriage
Under some circumstances, the Church of England allows church weddings where one partner is divorced, with a previous spouse still living. We seek to handle these circumstances with sensitivity and understanding and will never pass judgment on the breakdown of marriage but seek to have careful pastoral conversation about what is best for the new partnership. A blessing after a civil marriage ceremony may be offered as an alternative to a wedding.
Banns of Marriage
If you live in the parish of Bushey, and are getting married in a church elsewhere, you will need to have your banns read in this parish as well as the parish where your wedding will be conducted.
Renewal of Vows
We love to support marriages at any stage and are happy to conduct a service for the renewal of marriage vows on a major anniversary, or after significant time in a couple’s life.