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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.
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