Church of Ireland (Anglican)
Guidelines for Weddings at Saint Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry
Useful contact details:
Email address for The Dean of Derry – deanofderry@stcolumbs.net
Parish Administrator’s mobile number – 07794 666754
Parish Administrator’s email address – robert@stcolumb.net
Cathedral telephone number – 028 7126 7313
These guidelines are to help you as a couple plan your wedding ceremony
at Saint Columb’s Cathedral so that your plans will go smoothly on your wedding day and the start of your married life together.
It will help you –
Decide on a date and time for your wedding
Advise you about legal requirements
Applicable fees for the use of the Cathedral, Staff, Choir, Bells
Photographs and Video guidance
Use of confetti
Guidance regarding flowers
Mobile phones
G.D.P. R.
Date and time
Weddings are not usually solemnised in the Cathedral during Lent except under exceptional circumstances.
The Dean will normally officiate at marriages, however should you wish a relative or a friend to perform the ceremony
you should first seek the permission of the Dean.
To avoid disappointment when planning a wedding consult the Dean in the first instance to clarify if there are any prior bookings or services that have already been arranged for the date on which you would like to get married.
A meeting will be arranged with the bride and groom and the Dean to discuss arrangements.
Legal requirements
Applications must be made to the Registrar of Marriages at 14 Magazine Street, Londonderry, BT48 6HH, no earlier than one year and no later than 4 weeks before the wedding. The Schedule of Marriage must be given to the Officiant to be signed
at the wedding. It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to ensure that it is returned to the Registrar’s office
within three working days.
Further information regarding civil requirements can be obtained from Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Opening times
Saint Columb’s Cathedral is closed during the winter months and is open part-time from April to September.
Access for flower arrangers should be arranged through the Parish Administrator.
On the day of the wedding the churchwardens will open the Cathedral 1.5 hours before the ceremony.
The Dean will arrange a suitable time to hold a rehearsal in the days before the wedding.
Fees
The fee for the use of the Cathedral for parishioners is £150.00.
For non-parishioners it is £400.00.
The Dean or other officiant - £150.00.
Church Staff - £50.00.
Organist / Assistant Organist - £150.00.
The Cathedral Boy Choristers - £20.00 each.
The Cathedral Girl Choristers - £20.00 each.
The Gentlemen of the Choir / The Cathedral Chamber Choir - £30.00 each.
Bells - £75.00.
Fees can be paid on the day of the rehearsal or on the day of the wedding.
Cash, in separate envelopes, is preferred for the various groups.
Music
The Organist or Assistant Organist will normally play for the Wedding Service.
If you wish another organist to play please obtain the permission of the Organist / Assistant Organist and the Dean.
For extra music, e.g. recordings and music groups, with the use of the Cathedral organ please obtain the permission
of the Organist / Assistant Organist and the Dean.
Orders of Service
The Cathedral Parish Office can design and print the Order of Service.
If you would like to avail of this facility please contact the Dean and a cost will be provided.
Photographs
During the solemnisation of the marriage we would ask that guests do not take photographs as this can be
very disruptive for you.
Should you request a video recording of the ceremony the operator will be advised to consult the churchwardens
before the ceremony regarding the positioning of cameras.
Confetti
We would prefer that confetti is not used due to the difficulties of clearing up afterwards.
Flowers
Flowers for the wedding are the responsibility of the wedding party.
It is customary to leave the flowers on the reredos at the Communion Table after the wedding. All other flowers can be taken
to the reception.
Advice regarding arrangements and equipment is available and the Dean will give you the contact’s name and telephone number.
At certain times the Cathedral may already be decorated, e.g. Christmas, Easter, Harvest, so please check before ordering arrangements from your florist.
Mobile phones
Please advise your guests that mobile phones should be switched to ‘silent’ during the ceremony.
GDPR
We would like to include in the Cathedral magazine, if you agree, the record of your marriage including your address.
Otherwise we will only record your names and the area in which you live.
We agree that our names and addresses can be recorded in the Cathedral magazine.
Signed _____________________________________
Signed _____________________________________
We will endeavour to make your ceremony stress free and a very happy occasion.
