Getting Married at The Holy Spirit Church
Congratulations on your forthcoming marriage! We would be more than happy to help you with the wedding preparations at our church
Plan Your Wedding At The Holy Spirit Church
We are delighted that you have decided to get married in our church and we look forward to welcoming you, your family and your friends on the day of your wedding.
We hope you’ll find the following information of use when you start to plan for the big day. Do let us know if you have any special requirements.
Types of Wedding Services
We offer two options :
1. Wedding Service (35 mins approx.) Download the Order of Service
2. Nuptial Mass (50 mins approx.) Download the Order of Service
Marriage Preparation Course
The courses are run by an organisation called “Marriage Care”
(Tel 0800 3893801). You can attend for 1 day or 3 consecutive evenings.
About your Big Day
Order of Service
Guidance sheets are available for each of the types of service above. Copies of the small blue booklet “The Marriage Book” are available for planning the service booklet. It also contains suggestions for the bidding prayers. (Most couples like to produce their own personalised order of service, with for example, the words of hymns and the source of the readings.) The pamphlet ‘Your Wedding’ contains suggestions for the Scripture Readings and is available from the Parish Office. Please also download from his page an Order of Service for a Nuptial Mass and an Order of Service for a Wedding Service.
Readers
It is usual for family members and/or friends to be invited to read the first reading, the responsorial psalm, the second reading, the alleluia and the bidding prayers (see the order of service guidance sheet or the blue booklet for further details).
Music
Tony Wheat (Tel. 0115 9141012) is our church organist. Please contact Tony directly if you would like to book him for your wedding. Tony may be able to help you if you are looking for additional musicians and/or a choir.
Confetti
Your guests may throw confetti outside the church but we ask that it is not used inside the church. Please use recyclable confetti.
Ushers
Your ushers will be able to welcome your guests and give out books and orders of service. It is traditional for the guests of the bride to sit on the left side of the church and the guests of the groom on the right. Please ensure the ushers clear away after the wedding service.
Flowers
We have a parish team of volunteers who arrange flowers for the church weekly. The team are happy to consider requests for particular colours, flowers or arrangements if you are willing to cover the cost.
You do not have to use our team and you are very welcome to bring floral arrangements to decorate the church. Whether you decide to use the team or bring your own flowers please contact Liz Wheat (Tel 0115 9141012) to let her know your requirements.
Civil Registration
You will each have to contact the local Register Office where you are a resident. (For residents of Notts, it is 9614535, at Station Rd in Carlton.) They will issue you with a blue form after 21 working days. You can register up to 12 months before the wedding.
Photography/Camcorders
Photographs and filming inside the church are normally allowed. Please ask your photographer and/or person recording your wedding to be discreet, and do not use flash during the Service.
Witnesses
You will need two adult witnesses – normally the chief bridesmaid and the best man – to sign the wedding register. These do not have to be Catholics.
Rehearsal
A wedding rehearsal is normally arranged a few days before the wedding.
It is customary to make an offering to the priest/deacon and to the church on the occasion of your marriage.