Weddings, Baptisms & Funeral Services

The church buildings of the Theydon Parishes are open and available to mark significant life events.  All possible services as currently offered by the Church of England can be arranged, and the clergy and Benefice Administrator are available to discuss the options available.

Weddings

In 2008 the rules on getting married in a particular church were simplified.

 

The changes will mean an engaged couple can be married in one of the churches if: 

  • one of them was baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish;
  • one of them has ever lived in the parish for six months or more;
  • one of them has at any time regularly attended public worship in the parish for six months or more;
  • one of their parents has lived in the parish for six months or more in their child’s lifetime;
  • one of their parents has regularly attended public worship there for six months or more in their child’s lifetime;
  • their parents or grandparents were married in the parish. 

For those living further afield it is possible to marry in one of the Theydon Parishes if you:

  • Regularly attend church services; by attending regularly for a minimum of once a month for six months you can become eligible to be married by Banns as if you lived in the Parish.
  • Common Licence. This requires one of you reside in the parish for a minimum of 15 days before the issue of the Licence. Application can be made to the Diocesan Registrar or a local clergyperson acting as a Surrogate for marriages.
  • Special Licence. Application can be made to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a Special Licence. This is an exceptional means and is only advised when there are good pastoral links with the church in which you wish to marry, and no other option is available.  (The clergy can advise which Marriage Preliminary is suitable for each couple).

All of the above apply if both parties are either UK nationals or resident in the Republic of Ireland.  It is still possible to marry in one of the churches if this is not the case, please use the 'Contact Us' page and someone will be in touch.

 

Fees

Please use the 'Contact Us' page below to enquire about relevant fees. 

 

Marriage services can be arranged for any day of the week.  There is only ever one wedding booked on a particular day in a particular church so it is possible, for example, to have floral decoration to your particular taste.  All churches have car parking facilities, toilets and extensive grounds where photographs can be taken.

 

Reception Venues

All Saints Theydon Garnon has a connection and history with the Chisenhale-Marsh family who own Gaynes Park, Essex (please view our History section of the website) and are therefore delighted to recommend Gaynes Park as a beautiful reception venue to compliment your wedding in our Grade 1 listed Church. The Barns and Orangery at Gaynes Park, which became the National Winner for ‘Best Venue’ in the 2012 Wedding Industry Awards is situated approximately 2 miles from the Church.

 

For further information regarding Gaynes Park, please visit their website: www.gaynespark.co.uk

 

The church hall at St Mary’s Theydon Bois has been used as a reception venue and can accommodate a small seated reception.  Couples getting married in Theydon Bois have also used the Theydon Bois Village Hall as a reception venue.

 

Baptisms

Baptism of adults or children (often referred to as a Christening), is a marker of the beginning of a journey with God.  This journey is life long, and coming to Baptism is a step making a positive response to the love of God for all people, as revealed through the life and work of Jesus Christ.  It is not about having all the answers, but it is about wanting to bring Jesus into the centre of life, and to look to Him to receive as a gift the life which He offers and which John wrote about.

 

In the service, water is used to baptise.  The word “Baptism” comes from the Greek word meaning “to dip”, and the water is symbolic of the cleansing from sin Jesus made possible through his death on the cross.  In the service, serious promised are made, and there are other signs of the Christian way, including the presentation of a lit candle, a sign of the light of Christ which has conquered evil, and is the light which Christians follow on the life-long journey of faith. 

 

Baptism is available at all the churches in the main Sunday morning service and it is also possible to arrange a special service on a Sunday.  The first step to booking a Baptism is to attend a Baptism Preparation Session with a member of the clergy team.  To make arrangements or to ask questions please use our 'Contact Us' page.

Funerals

The clergy are always ready to minister to anyone in the parish who asks for them. After a death, family or friends of the person who has died usually ask a local funeral director to make the arrangements on their behalf, but you are welcome to contact the Vicar directly, if you wish. 

 

All the churchyards are open for new burials to persons resident in the parish, to those who die in the parish or are on the electoral roll at the time of death.   

 

There are rules governing memorials and headstones which apply to all churches in the Diocese of Chelmsford.

 

To make arrangements or to ask questions please use our 'Contact Us' page.