Ss Peter & Paul, Kettering

Getting Married

Planing a wedding is one of the most exciting things a couple can do, and we are delighted to help as much as we can. If you are interested in getting married at Ss Peter & Paul, the best thing to do is to contact the Parish Priest, Dominic Barrington by email, or by phone (01536 513385).

Dominic will ask you both to come and see him for an initial chat, and to get the basic details of date, time, etc. You will be asked to pay a deposit against the wedding fees, and arrangements will then be made for us to prepare you both for the service itself, and the big step that you are taking by getting married. This will often take the form of using a Marriage Preparation programme that is widely used throughout the UK, USA and Australia, called PREPARE. This will involve two or three hour-long conversations between the two of you and the priest who will marry you, or another member of the parish team. Ideally this will happen in the autumn or spring before a wedding in the summer if time permits.

There will also be an evening when you talk through the details of the service, to help you prepare your own printed Order of Service (if desired), when you will chose hymns, readings, organ music, etc. This will normally be at least six weeks before the service takes place.

Finally, there will be a rehearsal, probably on the Thursday night before Big Day, involving the Couple, the Best Man, whoever is giving the Bride away, and at least one of the bridesmaids. And then comes the day itself!

There are legal restrictions on who can get married in churches. Anyone who lives within the boundaries of the parish is welcome to have their wedding at the church. However, if either party has been previously married, you will need to have an informal interview with Dominic before definite plans can be made. Following changes of the law in 2008, it is now also possible to be married at Ss Peter & Paul if you have what is called a "Qualifying Connection" to the parish. You have such a connection if you:

were baptized in the parish (which could include St Michael’s, or even the General Hospital)

were prepared for Confirmation by the parish.

have ever resided for at least six months in the parish

have ever habitually attended worship in the parish for at least six months

have or had a parent who ever resided for at least six months in the parish

have or had a parent who ever habitually attended worship in the parish for at least six months

have or had a parent or grandparent who were married in the parish.

Office Address:

The Rectory

Church Walk

Kettering

NN16 0DJ

01536 513385