Weddings at St John's

St John's is a popular venue for weddings because our

• City location
• Restored Heritage church with centre aisle
• Fine pipe organ, Steinway piano, church bell in the tower
• Garden adjoining the church
• Ceremonial conduct of weddings
• Experience in performing weddings
  

promise a perfect day.

If you choose St John's for your wedding, we shall do all we can to make the day as you would want it. If you have any particular requests, please do not hesitate to discuss them with us .

The Setting

The church and grounds underwent a major restoration several years ago. Most original features were kept intact and the colour scheme was keyed to the original. The result is a light and airy interior.

Weddings are celebrated in front of the central altar, and the marriage register is signed at an adjacent table, in view of all present.

At the side of the altar is a fine pipe organ, with a Steinway grand piano in the nave or body of the church. Of interest for weddings is the broad central aisle. Whilst the church does not look empty with smaller numbers, it can seat about 150 people comfortably. More can be accommodated with temporary seating. There are 24 pews, 13 on one side and 11 on the other.

A feature of St John's is the lawn and garden area, framed on three sides by the church and the bluestone hall and priory, and with a circle of crepe myrtle trees.

These provide a beautiful backdrop for your photos and for mingling with guests after the service (with optional champagne and nibbles).

Legal Requirements

Both Church and civil law have requirements which apply to all marriages:

The Commonwealth Marriage Act requires that:

• Both parties to the marriage must be at least 18 years old.
• You complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form and give it to the celebrant less than six months and more than one month before the wedding day . This is available from the celebrant or at
  http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/bdm/marriages/requirements.html
• You supply to the celebrant copies of your birth certificates, or passports if you were born overseas.
• You sign a Declarations form, supplied by the celebrant, before the wedding day.

The Anglican Diocese of Adelaide requires that:

• At least one partner be baptised as a Christian.
• Divorced persons who wish to remarry in the Church apply to the Archbishop for permission. We are happy to conduct marriages where one or both partners is divorced.

St John's Requirements

• All are welcome. Normally the bride or groom lives within the parish or regularly worships at the church. We realise, however, that many people share a variety of links with St John's and welcome all who wish to be married here, regardless of denomination.
• Rehearsal. The bridal party should arrange to be available for a rehearsal of the marriage service several days before the marriage. The couple will be able to sign the Declarations form mentioned above at the same time.

The Wedding Package at St John's

The fee for the Wedding Package at St John's covers everything including:

• Our priest
• Our organist and use of the organ
• The verger to assist with the ceremony and ring the bell
• Flower arrangement for the church
• Use of the lawn and garden area for an hour after the ceremony
• All legal requirements
• Cleaning the church

• The fee is not subject to GST.
• Reductions are not made for choosing an alternative clergy, musician or florist.
• Cheques should be made out to Fr C Myers. (Sorry, we cannot take credit cards.) Fees are usually paid at the rehearsal.
  

Other Clergy

We are also happy to host weddings celebrated by another clergy.

• This person does not have to be Anglican. You will need to reimburse them yourself.
• The visiting clergyman should contact the Priest-in-Charge at least one month before the date of the proposed marriage.

Marriage Preparation

• Some form of marriage education is highly recommended for all couples. Courses usually cover aspects of the relationship which can build or undermine a healthy marriage, such as expectations for marriage, effective communication, conflict and resolution, intimacy, family values and keeping love alive.
• Anglicare SA (08 8305 9674) and other counselling organisations offer a variety of programs for one or more couples.

Music

• St John's is noted for its fine acoustics and has a renowned pipe organ, a chamber organ and a Steinway grand piano. Dr Greg Crawford, our organist, is available to play for your ceremony. Please contact him about six weeks before the wedding to discuss your music. He is happy to help you with your choice.
• The Director of Music must give permission to visiting musicians to play St John's piano or organ.
• While we consider that traditional music works best in our Church, you are free to choose your own style. However the church does not have a sophisticated sound system. If you choose electronic music, please consult our sound engineer, Mr Michael Cant to ensure compatibility.
• You are welcome to organise an additional instrumental or vocal soloist or group to perform during the ceremony. We can suggest names. The cost will be in addition to the Package.

Flowers

• A large arrangement of flowers is included in the Package.  This remains in the Church for the service on the following Sunday.

Confetti

• Confetti may not be used inside or outside the Church. St John’s Church opens directly onto Halifax Street, and it is an offence under the Litter Act to throw confetti outside the Church.
• As an alternative dried rose petals, rice or bubbles are environmentlly friendly and you are welcome to use them in the garden.                                                          

Photography and Videorecording

• You are welcome to have a photographer and/or video photographer at your wedding. 
• Good professional photographers are able to record the service unobtrusively. We leave it to you to give clear instruction and/or to invite them to attend the rehearsal.
• We ask that if possible no additional lighting be used and that flash photography be kept to a minimum.

Garden

• You are welcome to use the garden at no additional cost for approximately an hour after the service.
• We also serve drinks and nibbles (provided by you) for a service fee. Please arrange to have these delivered to the Priory at the rehearsal. We ask you to provide ice, orange juice without pith
                                                             and  also spring water in hot weather.
  

Interview

• Please contact the Priest-in-Charge, Father Christopher Myers, six weeks before your wedding to complete the Notice of Intended Marriage form and to finalise details. 

Booking Confirmation

• We hold temporary telephone bookings for one month.
• On the return of your booking form, we send you a letter of confirmation and suggest a rehearsal time.

Reminder

• Please ensure that any items you have brought to the church are removed afterwards, on the day of the ceremony. These may include pew bows, orders of service and baskets, as well as any unused food, drinks, trays, etc. While we make every effort to ensure they are put aside, we cannot guarantee their safety.