| GETTING
MARRIED AT ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, GIBRALTAR Many engaged couples are getting married by means of a Governor’s Special Licence which permits them to be married in Gibraltar within 3 days of application in person. They have the advantages of a wedding in the sun, minimum of bureaucracy and a ceremony conducted in English.Our main purpose is to support those who wish to make their vows in a Christian context, and to offer God’s blessing at an important moment in their lives. You
do not need to be a member of the Church to be married in St Andrew’s
but the wedding service used and vows exchanged are similar to that of
other mainstream churches. While it is intended that marriage is for life,
Presbyterians do not hold marriage as a sacrament, and thus it is possible
for divorced persons to be remarried in church . Weddings where one or
both partners have been previously married are now more common than they
once were, but in all cases the minister has discretion to decline to
solemnise marriages. Blessings of civil marriages previously contracted may be undertaken, but if possible one ceremony is desirable and the legal marriage undertaken as part of the church ceremony. You will be responsible for making the registration arrangements with the Gibraltar Registrar in Secretary's Lane (Tel: 72289; Fax 42706) e/m:csro@gibtelecom.net They require 3 working days prior to the ceremony in order for a special licence to be issued (to us) so that the minister of St Andrew’s can perform the ceremony. For a Governor’s Special Licence, passports and birth certificates (originals) for both parties are required; and where appropriate, divorce decrees and related marriage certificates. For fees and document queries please contact the Registrar (Note:The Public office opens mornings only and telephone calls are best in afternoon hours)
We
will be happy to assist you in obtaining a photographic record of your
wedding in a way which will not interfere with the dignity and integrity
of the ceremony, but all video and photography arrangements should be
discussed with the minister. If
you wish a qualified floral artist (with keys for access) to provide flowers
in the church to your chosen budget , please contact sueorfila@yahoo.co.uk
(Tel:73174) (NB:Mrs
Orfila does not supply bouquets or buttonholes) (Rev)
Stewart Lamont B.Sc., B.D. |