Plan your wedding at St Columba’s
The Ministers and Congregation of St Columba’s are delighted that you are thinking about getting married at St Columba’s. There is much to plan and consider before final decisions are made. Our overall aim is to help you make your wedding day happy and holy, memorable and meaningful.
We hope that this page will help you with your planning preparations or you can download our Wedding Brochure ›
If you have any questions, please contact the office office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Fill in the Marriage Application Form »
Indicate your preferred date(s) on the form. Please note this will depend on availability so it is best to provide two possible dates. Once the form has been submitted the minister will be in touch with you to organise a time to meet with you as a couple. This meeting is an informal opportunity for the minister to get to know you and vice versa.
The minister will explain the necessary legal procedure and the content of the marriage service. You will have the opportunity to ask your questions. It is expected that one of our ministers will officiate and be in sole charge of the service. The involvement of other ministers is possible, but should be discussed well in advance
The Building
Your wedding can be large or small, elaborate or simple. The main church easily accommodates up to five hundred people. Alternatively the London Scottish Regimental Chapel offers a lovely intimate space for up to fifty.
If you would like to organise the reception in one of our halls, please see our Space hire brochure »
Legalities
It is a strict legal requirement that notices of marriage should be given to the Registrar of Marriages in the registration districts in which both the bride and groom live. You will find your local registry office online or in the telephone directory. The Registrar will issue the Certificates of Permission to Marry. Once these have been issued, please lodge them with the Church Office for safe keeping. The wedding service cannot go ahead without these documents.
Music for your wedding
St Columba’s has a fantastic organist, professional choir and access to other fabulous musicians. Music can be arranged with our Director of Music, Mr Ben Lewis-Smith (music@stcolumbas.org.uk). He will consult you on music you would like before, during and after the service. For all services requiring an organist, St Columba’s organist should be used where available. You can bring your own organist but there will be an extra fee.
What to consider:
a) What music would you like before the service?
b) What music would you like for the bride to enter to and leave by?
c) What hymns, if any, would you like?
d) What music would you like during the signing of the register?
Beadle
On the day of your wedding, a beadle will be present to assist the minister before, during and after the ceremony, calm a nervous bride, explain to your ushers where they may direct your guests, operate the microphones and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Please note that this is mandatory for all services in the church.
Seating Plan
By custom the bride and her family/friends sit on the left-hand side of the church (looking towards the communion table/front of the church) and the groom and his friends and family on the right. During the service the bride and groom will sit side by side on chairs on the lectern side of the church.
You can of course have your guests sit where they feel comfortable and where they wish upon arrival.
Each pew can sit eight adults comfortably. We encourage the attendance of children. If they wish children are welcome to use the Children’s Corner at the back of the church accompanied by an adult.
Photography & Filming
We request that there is no photography during the service. Due to copyright law, if you wish to film the service this will increase the musical fees. This must be arranged in advance.
Flowers
You are more than likely to have flowers in the church for your wedding. Whilst we appreciate the donation of flowers after the event, we ask for only one pedestal to be left and you will need to arrange with your florist for the rest to be collected before the Sunday morning service.
We recommend florist Lalage Barran – 02086752277 or lalage.barranflowers@gmail.com. However you are more than welcome to use your own.
Florists can confirm with the church office when they can gain access to complete arrangements and when they can come back to clear out.
Costs
Service in the Church – £641
Service in the Chapel – £210
Minister’s Fee towards congregational funds – £210
Organist – £250
Singers – £135/singer
Other musicians can be arranged upon request for an extra fee.
(Please note: Fees are doubled if any form of recording/video is made)
Beadle – £130
Livestream Team – £100
Donations
There is no fee for members of St Columba’s for the Minister or Church hire. However, you may consider giving a donation to “The Minister’s Discretionary Fund”. This provides funds to be used for events/activities that enhance the cultural and spiritual life of St Columba’s but cannot be funded by congregational funds i.e. for a visiting speaker or concert recital. Should you wish for a collection to be made at the end of the service in aid of St Columba’s or a charity of your choice, please make the Ministers aware when you meet with them.
We will send an invoice for the wedding service one month ahead of the service for payment.
Rehearsals
A rehearsal will be held in the Church before the wedding. It will be confirmed with the minister.
