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Lucy and Mike-082Weddings


It's a real privilege to accompany couples who wish to have their wedding ceremony at St Andrew's on their journey towards marriage.

It is really important to us that each couple feels part of our community and we encourage them to get to know folk through attending services and social occasions. We are committed to supporting each couple through marriage preparation and prayer.

If you would like to discuss the arrangements and legal requirements for marrying at St Andrew's, please contact Karen, our Wedding Administrator:
Karen Cox Email: greggandkaren@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07990 578749

Here are some frequently asked questions about getting married in church:

Can I get married at St Andrew’s?

If you or your parents live in St Andrew’s parish, you can get married at St Andrew’s church. There are also lots of other ways you can qualify to get married here. For details, check www.yourchurchwedding.org, as this outlines the rules. Or contact us directly.

How much will it cost?

The basic cost is about £564 (2023) and most people like to have the organ and bells, which do cost extra. Full fee information available here.
Lucy and Mike-075

Can we be involved in planning the service?

Definitely. The priest who will lead the ceremony will want to talk with you about hymns, music and readings, and about the printed Order of Service if you are having one. The core of the service is fixed but there is scope to craft much of it to reflect your own approach.

Should we have one or two rings?

In previous generations, usually only the bride wore a ring; nowadays, most couples have two rings. The choice is entirely yours. A wedding ring is a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, and of the commitment you are making to each other, whether you both wear it or only one.

Lucy and Mike-068Does the bride have to wear white?

The style and colour of the bride’s dress – and the bridegroom’s outfit – is for you to decide.

Does the bride have to be “given away”?

“Giving away” has never been part of the religious service but is often a nice symbol that the families are supporting the marriage. Traditionally the bride’s father “gave her away” but anybody can do this; and there are more modern formulas if those words seem too old-fashioned.

Can we have a video recording of the service?

Yes, but please remember to ask well in advance, so we can arrange that the videographer (and the photographer) do not disrupt the solemnity of the service. There is also Lucy and Mike-090an extra fee payable to the organist if the music is recorded.

Do you have rehearsals?

A rehearsal in church (including the couple, Best Man, a bridesmaid, an usher and whoever is “giving away”  the bride) within the 10 days or so before the wedding, is really useful in getting everybody comfortable about the words and where people stand and sit. Because everybody’s diaries get full, the sooner this is fixed the better.

What about flowers in church?

You can organise your own flowers or the church flower arrangers will create a display for you, for which there is a fee. We don't have church flowers in Lent and Advent, but you are welcome to provide your own and then take them away after your ceremony.

Lucy and Mike-094Is it possible to have a church blessing if we get married abroad or in a civil ceremony?

Yes, in most cases. The service reflects the fact that the couple are already married but can include or leave out most of the features of the wedding ceremony.

Can I still get married in church if I'm divorced?

The Church believes that marriage is for life.  But it also recognises that, sadly, some marriages do fail. In some circumstances, the Church accepts that a divorced person may marry again. The Priest will want to talk to you, with care and sensitivity, but frankly, about your past experiences and your hopes for the future.

I’m Church of England and the other party is of another Christian denomination. Does that matter?

We welcome couples from all Christian backgrounds; and we welcome the participation in the service of clergy from other denominations (although the vows must be made before Church of England clergy ). If one party is from a non-Christian faith, parts of the service can reflect that faith.

Lucy and Mike-126


Discover all you need to know about Church of England weddings and blessings at: www.yourchurchwedding.org   


With thanks to Mike & Lucy, whose photos appear on this page from their wedding at St Andrew's in September 2013. Images courtesy of Matt Heath Photography www.mattheathphotography.com

Glenys
Hello and welcome to St Andrew's. If you are new, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

No one belongs here more than you.

We look forward to meeting you! Here's some information so that if you're planning a visit you know beforehand what to expect on a Sunday morning.  We have other pages telling you more About Us, our approach to Faith and our Online services.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details below) for our main Sunday Service starting at 10.30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you find a parking space and can settle in before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Plan your journey:
While, unfortunately, St Andrew's does not have its own carpark, there is a council-run pay and display carpark a short distance along St Andrew Street, to the east of the church; there is a £1.50 flat-rate charge for parking in this carpark on Sundays (though half an hour or less is free).

This is a useful East Herts Council website page for full details of parking in Hertford.

There are single yellow lines outside the church with parking restrictions, but some 30-minute parking bays are situated on the opposite side of the road for short stays (longer on Sundays).

Open Google Maps

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet towards the back of the church, behind the kitchen.

Our Service

The service will usually begin promptly at 10.30am and will last between 60 and 75 minutes. We enjoy the presence of an excellent choir who help us sing hymns (modern and traditional) as well as provide anthems and special songs through the period of communion. We have a traditional organ but also benefit from music played on the piano and by our band (eg on the Second Sunday of each month when we have an All-Age Service in which our children and young people are fully involved).

Each 10.30am service includes a sermon, prayers and eucharist.

After the service, everyone is invited for coffee and conversation - some like to stay for a quick chat while others remain in the church for a longer time.

Communion

Children and Young People

Children are never too young to come to church. You and your children are very welcome at St Andrew’s. 

We really value worshipping God together as a family, so children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service before being invited to leave for the young people's activities after the first hymn. Junior Church meets in the St Andrew's Centre (our adjoining hall), accessed through the church on Sunday mornings. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy.

The children and young people then return to the main service in time to join the eucharist and, if confirmed, take Holy Communion or, if not, receive a blessing. We offer a grape or a little box of raisins to children being blessed at the altar.

There is a Children's Corner in church where you can go at any time. You will find books, toys and drawing materials there.

Toilet and baby-change facilities are located at the back of church, behind the kitchen.

There's lots more information here: Children and Young People at St Andrew's

Junior Church celebration

Getting Connected


Home Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week. Check out Home Groups on our website and see if there’s one that you could join. Alternatively, speak to a member of the Welcome Team who will give you the information that you need.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. Please contact Phil in the Church Office.

Get in touch with us
If you have any questions, please do get in touch. You'll find our contact details here.

We hope that you will feel at home at our church.