Popular churches will require plenty of notice of your wedding date. Some churches are booked four years in advance.

• When you first visit the minister of the church where you are to be married, the minister will;
• Ask you to obtain details of birth and occupation for yourselves and both fathers
• Advise you of the church fees for the church, organist, choir and bellringer
• Advise you how long the service will take (usually 30-40 minutes for most services and 60 minutes for nuptial mass)

Ask the minister:

• Whether still photographs or a video can be taken inside the church
• If confetti throwing is allowed inside or outside the church (in most cases not allowed) An alternative to confetti is coloured rice or dried flower petals.
• If type of flowers will be restricted because of church festival times
• Find out well in advance what music facilities will be available.
• Can you have the musician and /or music of your choice?
• At some churches you have to pay the organist even if you have your own music

You need to arrange for:

• Ceremony guides for your guests who do not share the same faith as yourselves. This will allow them to follow the proceedings readily and share in your day.
• the groom and men to arrive at the church 45 minutes before the ceremony the allow time for photographs of the boys and groom's family
• your photographer to allow the minister to see the groom and men at least 15 minutes before the ceremony
• the bride and father should arrive 5 minutes early so that the photographer does not hold up proceedings
• The bride and groom and bridal party usually leave the church 1 - 1.5 hours after the start of the ceremony.