Life events

Weddings

We are delighted you are considering being married at St Luke’s. The first step to arranging this is to contact our parish office to arrange a meeting with the parish priest. At least one of the couple must be baptised. You don’t both have to be Anglican. We wish you every joy as you prepare and plan for this important day in your lives.

Please note that at present the Anglican Church of Australia is authorised only to solemnise the marriage of a man and a woman (and not same sex couples).

Celebrant

Your wedding is officiated by the St Luke’s parish priest who is an Anglican priest and an authorised Anglican rite must be used. You may have ministers from other denominations involved in the service, but the celebrant must be an Anglican priest.

Music

St Luke’s Church was built in 1897 and the organ installed shortly after. The organ was fully restored in 2000. There is also a piano in the church. We appreciate you may already have some idea of the music you would like for your wedding. Being an historic church, not all pre-recorded music is suitable for a wedding at St Luke’s. If your plans involve recorded music or other musicians/singers, please speak with the parish priest before finalising any arrangements.

Flowers

The church has a matching pair of pedestals and one shorter one, plus a table in the porch, all of which may be used to stand your flower arrangements upon. It is advisable that if you are using your own florist, the florist makes an appointment to visit the church at least one month prior to your wedding. We ask that you leave two of your arrangements in the church after your marriage ceremony for our congregation to enjoy. You are welcome to have pew ends which may only be tied, not fastened in any other way, and must be removed immediately at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Confetti

Only biodegradable flower petals can be used, and they may only be thrown outside the church. No confetti is permitted inside the church.

Photography

You are most welcome to record the highlights of your service either with still photography or video. However, please make your photographer aware that flash photography and artificial lighting are not allowed during the service. Your photographer and video technician will need to choose a suitable spot in the church and remain there during the service. This is simply to ensure that the ceremony and the bridal party remain the centre of attention, not the photographer. Please ask your photographer or video technician to arrive early enough on the day of your wedding to discuss arrangements with the celebrant.

Refreshments

If you wish to provide refreshments after the service for your guests, please let us know. You may wish to consider using the facilities available in Alexandra Hall next to the church. No alcohol is to be brought onto the church grounds without prior discussion with the parish priest.

Wedding Costs

The Anglican Church and its clergy do not charge set fees; however you will appreciate there are costs incurred in providing and preparing the church for your wedding. Your offering of thanksgiving for your marriage at St Luke’s enables us to maintain our mission and ministry to the community as well as contribute to the upkeep of our precinct. We are often asked how much this should be; whilst there is no fixed amount the average offering where the engaged couple are both working is $1,350. We ask for a deposit of $200 to confirm your date and all monies must be paid two weeks before your wedding date.

Rehearsal

The wedding party will need to attend a one hour rehearsal during the week prior to your wedding.