Weddings at St John’s in the City

Cnr Willis & Dixon Streets
PO Box 27 148
Telephone:  (04) 385 1546
Fax:  (04) 385 0040
Email: enquiries@stjohnsinthecity.org.nz
Website: www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz

May our prayers and blessings be with you as you prepare for your coming
marriage.

Thank you for your inquiry into having your wedding service at St John’s in the
City. We would be happy to support you in seeking God’s blessing on your
future marriage. We would also be happy to support you in planning your
marriage service as part of your wedding day going smoothly, so that you are
well prepared and know what to expect.

We hope the following information will help you in your decision making and in
the planning of your wedding service. The information takes the form of
frequently asked questions.

How old is St John’s in the City?

St John’s in the City was established as a Presbyterian church in 1853. The
present church is a beautiful, well-presented building that was designed by
well-known Wellington architect, Thomas Turnbull, and opened in 1885. The
MacKay Chapel was built and dedicated in 1994 and is named after the
benefactor who made its construction possible, Margaret MacKay.

Do we need to be members of St John’s in the City to make a booking?

No. We are pleased to talk to any couple that is interested in being married
here, irrespective of denomination.

What are the costs associated with a wedding service at St John’s in the City?

If one of our Ministers is conducting the wedding, the cost of the Church will
be $450 (this includes a donation to the Minister).
The following arrangements are also offered to you:
Flowers $250
Organist $250

If an approved Minister from outside St John’s in the City is conducting the
wedding, the cost of the Church will be $550 (Obviously, it will be your
responsibility to negotiate any fee for the services of the Minister you have
arranged)

Flowers and the Organist are available at the same costs shown above.
There will be no charge for flowers if you use your own florist.

If you wish to use the Ground Floor of the St John’s Centre for your wedding
reception, there is an additional charge. You will be invoiced at least two
weeks prior to the wedding. All payments should be made in full to the
Church Office.

Members of the congregation will not be charged any fee for the use of the
Church or the Conference Centre.

Can we use our own Minister to officiate at the wedding?

Other Ministers in good standing within mainline Christian denominations are
welcome to conduct the wedding with the permission and approval from one of
the Ministers of St John’s in the City. Please talk with one of our Ministers
before you make any other arrangements.

It may be that our Ministers are not able to take your service, in which case
they will discuss with you arrangements for someone else to conduct the
wedding.

Any other Minister conducting the service must contact the St John’s in the
City Office to discuss arrangements.

Non-Christian celebrants may not be brought in to conduct weddings.

What must we do to book St John’s in the City for our wedding service?

Weddings are held at St John’s in the City by arrangement with one of our
Ministers. Couples wishing to book the church for a wedding need to discuss
their plans with one of the Ministers before making a booking through the
Church Office.

How much freedom do we have to design our own wedding service?

Weddings at St John’s in the City are wonderful celebrations deliberately
formed as services of worship in the presence of God. Within that framework
of a Christian worship service there is much scope for your own significant
input. It does not require compromising the integrity of a Christian ceremony
in planning an occasion that will be a memorable celebration for you.
You may have one or two readings in the service, at least one of which must be
from the Bible. A list of suggested Bible readings is available.

How do we organise the flowers?

Whatever arrangements you choose for flowers, you must communicate your
preferences to the office at St John’s in the City.

St John’s in the City has a group of people who arrange flowers in the Church
and have plenty of experience and expertise in presenting arrangements for
weddings. Colours and styles should be discussed well in advance to allow
the flowers to be ordered. You also have the option of providing your own
florist. Please note, however, that flowers must be left in the Church until
Monday.

How do we arrange the music?

St John’s in the City has an impressive pipe organ and it is normal for the
wedding music selection to be played on this powerful instrument. The pipe
organ requires a competent organist to play it. Our organist is available to
discuss your musical requirements. There is also a grand piano available. We
do have a good sound system in the Church, which includes a tape and CD deck.
We have no objections to you using recorded music.

Is a course on marriage preparation a prerequisite for getting married at St John’s in the City?

Some form of marriage preparation is compulsory, even if you have been living
together before getting married. The marriage preparation may take several
forms, and will be negotiated with you by the officiating Minister.

Do we need a wedding rehearsal?

A rehearsal will normally be held in the week leading up to the wedding. It
takes about 30 minutes. If the marriage licence has not already been handed
in to the Church Office, please bring this with you to the rehearsal.
Who will organise any service sheets?

The Minister conducting your wedding will, in discussion with you, draft the
order of service for you. You can then use this order of service to prepare
service sheets to your own requirements and taste.

Is confetti, rose petals or rice allowed in the church grounds?

No. Please make sure your guests are aware of this. Please ensure that
those setting up the church for your wedding do not move or rearrange the
furniture. If you have special requests these will need to be requested well
in advance.

What guidelines are there for photographs and video?

Photography during the service can be a significant distraction to those
participating in this very important occasion, particularly when a flash is
used. We prefer that the taking of photographs be limited to the bride
entering the Church; the signing of the register; and the wedding party
leaving the Church. Photographers and video operators are not permitted
behind the bridal party and Minister at any time during the service. If you
want special or particular photos you will need to discuss this with the
Minister. Under no circumstance will photography be permitted during
prayers.

Video operators need to maintain one position for the duration of the service.
Please ensure that the photographer and video operator speak to the Minister
before the service so that they know and respect our requirements.

Professional photographers and operators will do this as a matter of
courtesy.

Can we decorate the ends of the pews?

Yes, but no decorations may be stuck on. There are small rings attached to
the ends of the front pews for tying bows etc.
It would also help us if you could arrange for someone to pick up any pew
decorations after the service, as well as any service sheets left behind.

If we are only having a small wedding can we use the smaller Chapel, instead of the Church?

Yes, although this will depend on availability of the Chapel and also on
whether anything else is taking place at the same time in the Church.
Not all our guests are invited to the reception after the wedding. Can we serve
them with cake at the end of the service?

Special approval will need to be given, but the foyer of the Church can be
used for that purpose.

How do we obtain a marriage licence?

Remember: no licence, no wedding. This important document must be obtained
from the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages at the Department of
Internal Affairs, 109 Featherston Street. Don’t leave it to the last minute—
allow for the possibility of a bureaucratic hiccup! The licence should be
handed in to the Minister or the Church Office several days before the
wedding.

Your marriage licence can be applied for up to three months before the date
of the wedding.

You will sign these documents on your wedding day. You get to keep one copy,
and the Minister posts the second back to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and
Marriages.

St John’s in the City must have a copy of the signed marriage licence for its
records. If the Minister conducting the wedding is not from St John’s in the
City, please ensure they are aware they need to leave one of the marriage
licences in the Church vestry (small room for the Minister located under the
organ) to be copied before we post it to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and
Marriages. Alternatively, the Minister can post the licence him/herself, but a
copy must be sent to the St John’s in the City Office.

Are there any circumstances under which the wedding service will not proceed?

Yes, for instance if either the bride or groom is deemed by the Minister to be
under the influence of drugs or alcohol.