Weddings Information
We are pleased you want to enquire about Christian Marriage. The marriage service is a service of worship of God.
In this context of worship, two people publicly declare their love for each other and promise to journey together in that love for the rest of their lives.
We at the Cathedral value the opportunity to work with couples thankful to God for their love for each other and wanting to ask God’s blessing for the years ahead.
Make a Booking
General enquiries can be made by contacting the Cathedral office (09)303 9500. If you wish to make a booking you will need to arrange to meet with one of the Cathedral Clergy who will give you a Booking Form. Return the filled out Booking Form, with a deposit of NZ$300.00, to the Cathedral Office at Holy Trinity Cathedral, PO Box 37 148, Parnell, Auckland.
On receipt of your Booking Form and deposit, a booking will be made in the computer system to reserve the time you have requested (if the time is free). Plan well ahead as there are many weddings within our Cathedral District. Weddings on the same day are spaced two hours apart.
Choose a place of worship for your Wedding
St Stephen’s Chapel: Judge Street, Parnell: is a tiny historic chapel best suited for small numbers. If you are marrying in St Stephen’s, there are space restrictions which can affect the number of your attendants and it is not possible to gather more than 45 guests within this church.
St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity, Parnell Road, is a large wooden church, formerly the cathedral and now placed within the grounds of the new Holy Trinity Cathedral. Up to 500 people are able to gather in the Nave of St Mary's.
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell Road, is the new Cathedral, the regular place of worship for the parish and our many visitors, as well as being a centre for numerous civic events and concerts. Up to 1100 people are able to gather in the Nave of Holy Trinity Cathedral. For those with a smaller number of guests, speak to the priest about using the Chancel which provides for approximately 80 people.
Couples' Workshops: In 2010 one-day workshops, led by The Rev'd Canon Caroline Leys, will be held at the Cathedral on Saturday 20th March, 12th June, 25th September and 20th November. You are encouraged to attend one of these before or after your wedding. The cost has been included in the wedding fee.
The Form of the Marriage Service
The Cathedral is a place where the Anglican tradition is followed. There are four orders of service in our Prayer Book from which to choose.
We encourage you to read through each of these services, and then discuss with the minister the service you prefer. We encourage your input into the content of the service.
The service has a reading from the New Testament. In addition you may choose appropriate readings from other sources.
A family member or friend may take these readings, likewise lead some of the prayers.
The words for hymns need to be printed. If you want to print the order of service, please discuss the draft copy with the priest marrying you before having it printed.
Holy Communion – if there is to be a celebration of Holy Communion during the service, this needs to be discussed with one of the Cathedral clergy. Please ensure this take place in the early months of planning or the request will be declined.
One of our clergy will officiate at your wedding, or we will arrange a visiting Anglican priest.
You may have a personal link with an Anglican Priest and so ask for her or him to take your wedding.
It is possible to request that a minister or priest from another denomination share in your wedding, but this is permitted only if the Cathedral staff are satisfied the service is consistent with the Anglican ethos.
The staff member you meet with will be happy to discuss these matters with you.
Music
All matters relating to music at your wedding must be discussed with The Cathedral Organist, Philip Smith on (09) 302 7289.
If you would like the Cathedral Choir to sing at the wedding, this can be discussed with the Director of Music. An additional fee is charged when the Choir sing.
CDs appropriate to a church setting may be used as well as live musicans.
The Organist will be pleased to discuss with you all aspects of music for your service.
Music is a wonderful part of worship and we encourage you to explore how best to use music in your service.
If a rehearsal with a soloist is required an additional fee is to be paid to the organist at that time.
While instrumentalists are welcome to play during the wedding service, please note that there is no time during the rehearsal for them to practice.
Flowers
The cost of flowers is not included in the church fees.
You may either arrange your own flowers, or engage a florist. In either case, you will need to liaise with the Cathedral office for access to the Church to arrange the flowers on your wedding day. You must also let us know if you wish to leave or take the flowers after the wedding.
If the flowers are not removed following the service we will assume they are for the use of the Cathedral.
We are happy to allow flowers and bows to be fixed to the pews, however, these need to be removed immediately after the service.
The Marriage Licence
Around two months before your wedding day you should apply to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (ph: 0800 22 52 52) for a licence. The licence is valid for three months, and it takes approximately three days to be prepared.
The Registrar has offices at the AA Building, 99 Albert St, Auckland Central and 1st Floor, Hodgets Building, cnr Amersham and Osterley Way, Manukau Shopping Centre. If you have previously been married, you will need to show the Registrar the legal papers relating to the dissolution of that marriage.
You need to give the registrar the street address of the church you will be married in, which are as follows:
St Stephen’s Chapel – Judge Street, Parnell, Auckland
St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity Cathedral – Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Holy Trinity Cathedral – 446 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland
It is essential that you bring the licence to the Cathedral Office at the Cathedral – off the forecourt, the corner of St Stephen’s Avenue and Parnell Rd, at least two weeks before your wedding day. Please do not give the licence to the officiating minister. At the same time please pay the balance of the costs for your wedding.
Fees
A deposit of $300 is to be paid to the Cathedral Office when you return your booking form. Until this deposit is received no booking is made.
The Chancel (High Altar) or Nave of Holy Trinity NZ$1,400
The Chancel or Nave of St Mary’s in Holy Trinity NZ$1,400
St Stephen’s Chapel NZ$1000
If you wish to pay directly into our bank account, we will be pleased to give you those details.
The fee covers all aspects associated with your wedding including some couple preparation by our staff, use of the church for a rehearsal and the day of your wedding.
The Wedding Day
The minister will arrange a rehearsal with you, usually some time in the week before your wedding. Rehearsals need to be booked with the Cathedral Office and held before the evening when the churches are locked. Please phone the office (303 9500) to book this.
On the day of the wedding, the groom and his party should arrive at the church about thirty minutes before the service begins.
The bride and her party need to arrive on time. As other weddings often follow yours, a late arrival means your service is shortened.
Many brides are escorted up the aisle by their father or mother, some by both parents and sometimes the bride and groom come together. Bridesmaids may precede or follow the bride.
Photographs and Videos
We prefer no more than two designated people to take the photos and videos. We ask that they be discreet in their movements, so as not to draw attention away from the bride and groom and that they introduce themselves to the Priest and Verger before the ceremony. Often photographers come to the rehearsal and this makes for a well planned service.
Ushers
Please ask your ushers to help in these ways:
Arrive 30 mins. before the service and introduce themselves to the priest and verger.
Welcome your family and friends.
Hand to guests any printed material relating to the service.
Guide guests to seats near the front of the Church, leaving the first row or two of seats for immediate family.
Collect any written material left in the pews after the service.
St Stephen’s Chapel – Judge Street, Parnell, Auckland
St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity Cathedral – Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Holy Trinity Cathedral – 446 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland
It is essential that you bring the licence to the Cathedral Office at the Cathedral – off the forecourt, the corner of St Stephen’s Avenue and Parnell Rd, at least two weeks before your wedding day. Please do not give the licence to the officiating minister. At the same time please pay the balance of the costs for your wedding.
Fees
A deposit of $300 is to be paid to the Cathedral Office when you return your booking form. Until this deposit is received no booking is made.
The Chancel (High Altar) or Nave of Holy Trinity NZ$1,400
The Chancel or Nave of St Mary’s in Holy Trinity NZ$1,400
St Stephen’s Chapel NZ$1000
If you wish to pay directly into our bank account, we will be pleased to give you those details.
The fee covers all aspects associated with your wedding including some couple preparation by our staff, use of the church for a rehearsal and the day of your wedding.
The Wedding Day
The minister will arrange a rehearsal with you, usually some time in the week before your wedding. Rehearsals need to be booked with the Cathedral Office and held before the evening when the churches are locked. Please phone the office (303 9500) to book this.
On the day of the wedding, the groom and his party should arrive at the church about thirty minutes before the service begins.
The bride and her party need to arrive on time. As other weddings often follow yours, a late arrival means your service is shortened.
Many brides are escorted up the aisle by their father or mother, some by both parents and sometimes the bride and groom come together. Bridesmaids may precede or follow the bride.
Photographs and Videos
We prefer no more than two designated people to take the photos and videos. We ask that they be discreet in their movements, so as not to draw attention away from the bride and groom and that they introduce themselves to the Priest and Verger before the ceremony. Often photographers come to the rehearsal and this makes for a well planned service.
Ushers
Please ask your ushers to help in these ways:
Arrive 30 mins. before the service and introduce themselves to the priest and verger.
Welcome your family and friends.
Hand to guests any printed material relating to the service.
Guide guests to seats near the front of the Church, leaving the first row or two of seats for immediate family.
Collect any written material left in the pews after the service.
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