Congratulations! We are delighted you are getting married and are interested in celebrating your wedding at St Stephens Anglican Church Newtown. When we agree to marry a couple, we want to do all we can to ensure your wedding day is special and that you invest in your marriage so that it is long-lasting, and filled with joy and delight. Please take a look at our FAQs as it answers most bride & groom’s questions the take a moment to fill out the form below.
The Venue
St Stephen’s church was built between 1871 and 1874 and is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture designed by Edmund Blacket and is considered to be one of his finest designs. Some of Blacket’s other famous buildings include St Andrew’s Cathedral and the Sydney University Great Hall. The foundation stone of the church was laid on Saturday 11 November 1871 by then governor of NSW, the Earl of Belmore.The first service of the church was on Easter Sunday, 4 April 1874. It is a delightful venue and we believe adds to the richness of a wedding ceremony.
How many does the church seat?
200 easily, 250 comfortably, 300 at a squeeze.
Your Wedding Day
Our desire is to accommodate you in your wedding plans as we appreciate that choosing a date can be difficult. As you choose a date we hope the answers to the following questions may guide you.
Can we get married any day of the week?
We are happy to marry couples on any day of the week. On Sundays, the building is being used for Church Services but we may be able accommodate a 2pm Wedding.
Can we have any date?
Dates are subject to the wedding being approved and the availability of the church building.
Will there be other wedding ceremonies held on the date you have in mind for your wedding ceremony?
Occasionally we do need to schedule more than one wedding per day however, usually yours is the only wedding. If there is more than one ceremony on your wedding day, to ensure everything runs smoothly, we schedule 1 free hour each side of a wedding.
Transport
Transport – We know parking and transport can be a challenge in the inner city so we think you will like how we answer the following questions.
Is there parking available?
Yes there are around 15 parking spaces in the Camperdown cemetery and further parking is available in the streets surrounding the church. The bridal cars have access to the church via a dedicated driveway that leads to the entrance of the church.
Is it easy to get to by public transport?
Yes, Newtown train station is 10 minutes walk and buses can be found on King St 2 minutes walk away.
The Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony we conduct is a Christian ceremony, rich with meaning and promise and is a wonderful expression of true love. Our ministers are licensed to conduct Anglican wedding services and details of these services are contained in the answers to the following questions.
How long does the ceremony go for?
Approximately 60 minutes.
Can we have readings from poems, plays, novel or other secular sources during the ceremony?
Your wedding is a Christian ceremony, therefore all readings need to be taken from the Bible. We suggest you try to include any other readings at your wedding reception.
Do you produce the Order of Service for us?
No, you need to create and have them printed yourself please ask the minister who is marrying you.
Can we bring our own minister?
Only after permission is granted by the Rector, Rev Roger Bray.
Do we need to invite the minister to the reception?
No you do not. The minister doesn’t expect to be invited to the wedding reception.
Are we allowed to appoint our own musicians or use a CD/iPod?
Yes, you are allowed to bring a CD/iPhone/iPod for music, or appoint your own musicians, subject to the approval of the minister. If your wedding uses a CD/ipod/iphone, you will need to bring your music to the rehearsal so that the sound verger can test and play the music. If you have more contemporary instrumentals requiring amplification, then your musicians will need to contact the sound verger prior to the ceremony.
Photography
The St Stephens church and grounds provide some of the most picturesque photo opportunities available in the inner city. Answers to the following questions will help you get the most out of the day.
Is flash photography allowed? Is it ok to video the ceremony?
Yes flash photography is allowed as long as it does not distract from the ceremony. Videographers will need to supply their own microphone, which the minister is happy to wear. For technical queries regarding sound, get your cameraman to contact our sound verger.
It is possible to use he grounds around the church for photography?
Yes, the Camperdown Cemetery Trust welcome the taking of photos. There are some beautiful locations around the church. If you wish to use the grounds please notify us beforehand.
Decorations in the Church
We welcome creativity and appreciate that each couple would like a wedding that in part reflects who they are.
What are the rules regarding decorating the church?
All decorations must be agreed to by the church and you must arrange to have them removed after the ceremony.
How many pews are there if I want to decorate the pew ends?
There are 42 pews. Many brides chose to decorate only every second row or just the first 10 rows of pews. We do not provide pew decorations – your need to arrange them yourself.
Can our guests throw petals/confetti/rice, or have petals scattered down the aisle of the church?
We request that your guests do not throw confetti or rice, either on church property or on the street. This is a safety and littering issue and we appreciate your co-operation.
Genuine flower petals are fine for your guests to throw outside the church, as they are biodegradable. If you would like scatter flower petals down the aisle of the church this will incur an extra $50 fee, as we will need to hire a cleaner to tidy up afterwards.
When can our florist/friends/musicians access the church?
The church is opened 1 hour prior to your ceremony and is kept open for half an hour after the ceremony.
Investing in your Marriage
We are committed to investing in long term marriages and we see pre-marriage courses as an integral part of this investment.
Are pre-marriage courses compulsory? Yes. We run comprehensive marriage preparation courses regularly. If couples are unable to attend one of these, they must arrange to do another approved course.
Cost
St Stephens is an ideal location and setting for your special day. We can help you organise your event. In 2013 usage of the church for your ceremony will incur a $1,650 fee.