The Alternative Wedding Gift Guide

Traditionally the role of providing the wedding has belonged to the bride’s family.  It is a hangover from the days when women were little more than a property transaction between the father of the bride and the groom and the wedding was part of the bride’s dowry.  The wedding guests made their contribution to the setting up of the new home with their gifts.

Thankfully times have moved on.  Most couples have already set up home and have all the toasters, towels and teapots they need.  But what they haven’t had – and really want – is a wedding to celebrate and cement their relationship, a wedding to remember for the rest of their lives, a wedding in a beautiful church followed by a great party.  But these are expensive.  So, why not give a wedding gift with a difference?  What could be a better symbol of showing support to the newly weds than by giving something to the ceremony itself!

Beautiful music

All Saints Fulham has a number of young choral students, many of whom are beginning a professional career in music.  Our Director of Music is a very fine organist and has contacts with a whole range of musicians.  There will be great organ music at the wedding but what about giving the couple an anthem or two to remember.

Soloist                                                                 £80

Solo instrumentalist (e.g. trumpeter)                  £100

Duet                                                                    £150

Choir                                                                   £240           (2008 prices)

Bells

All Saints Fulham is one of the few churches in the country to have 10 bells.  They are rung to greet the bride and send them off.

Wedding bells                                                      £250          (2008 prices)

DVD

Get your friends to film the preparations for the wedding – buying the dress, bridesmaids trying on their dresses, visiting the flower shop, buying the rings, the stag and hen night, dinner with the parents before the wedding, arrival of the guests at the wedding and the taking of the photos afterwards, the reception, the going away.  Get another friend to edit all these clips together.  If you also want to video the wedding itself then a copyright fee is required for the musicians who are performing.

Musicians Union Copyright Exemption                   £125          (2008 prices)

Service sheets

With desktop publishing, quality paper and a good photocopier, service sheets do not need to be expensive. Why not design one as a gift? The church can provide you with an outline order of service to work from.

Flowers

All Saints Fulham is a very colourful church.  White, cream and green look good in the church and go with any colour arrangement.  Bunches of flowers can easily be hung on the ends of pews.  Friends can buy a pedestal of flowers each.  Ask a professional florist or do your own.

Wedding car

Decorate your car and be a chauffeur for the day.  Of course someone could bake the cake, buy a case of champagne and so on.

Give a gift to Christian Aid  

Finally, weddings are a wonderful opportunity to give to those who have much less to celebrate. At every wedding we make a collection for the work of Christian Aid (or another special charity of your choice).

Contact

The Parish Office

Email                Secretary@AllSaints-Fulham.org.uk

Telephone        020 7736 3264