Well we booked our wedding in 2009 for Sept 2010 and due to h2b getting a contract abroad, we changed it to a year later this being the 3rd September 2011. When we booked it we spoke to the Vicar (lady) who was very supportive of all our ideas and we really felt we had bonded with, anyway we found out a few months ago that she has moved on and we now have what would appear to be the Vicar from la la land. He has wiped out most our suggestions, no church bells as the ringers are elsewhere, no doves as as per his email 'I don't do doves' he has vito'd some of our hymn choices and in addition to this and other stuff, we have to pay double to everyone involved as we are having it videoed (this was not the case when we booked it and has come into effect in the last year with no warning) oh and no choir either as they are will the bell ringers elsewhere - even though our paper work specifically requested them (we only have 40 at the wedding reception so I thought we wouldn't sound so dull with a choir).

I've tried to find an alternative church that I have an association with (as that church was in my h2b's parish) but obviously having no luck as it's far to late. My local vicar has tried to accommodate us by squeezing us into the 12pm slot (between a 11 and 1 wedding) buy my photographer wasn't keen, he felt it would all be too rushed. All the other plans are tied in for that day and have been for quite some time, to move the date would just be too much at this stage.

I have only 1 church left to try, they only take enquiries on a Monday so have to wait another week on Monday as it's BH!

Sorry for rant, I'm just so upset and all over the place, I feel I have no choice but to go with what the new vicar says and that's not like me to do that at all......

Do you have any paper work stating what it was you booked and how much for??
If so I would take that to the new vicar say look this is what i booked so this is what i want!

It's ridicolous how every vicar can get away with charging more then the last even tho there in the same church??

Oh Hunny this is awful! I'm sorry the new Vicar is being such an a$$! I would have thought if yo have the original plans in writing then he'd have to honour that, surely? I hope that the enquiry with your G'ma's church works out ok. Fingers Crossed for you! Hx

We are getting married in a church outside our parish, which we have no connection with.
So maybe an idea to speak to any other churchesin your area/ near your reception venue to see if they would be willing to marry you, even though you don't have a connection with the parish x

Can you not get another vicar to marry you in the church or maybe get a registrar to marry you in the church? They can do that but it will be a civil not a church wedding. I think it is awful that he is doing that to you. The church does have powers that be that are higher so you could take the complaint further if you wanted but I doubt you would get very far with it as they like to stick together. It really isn't fair what they are doing.

id kick up, if its in writing its a written contract between you and the church, hes just a vicar just cos he dosent like doves dosent mean he has the right to Vito all your plans id see if there's another vicar that can marry you or ring the main office and see if they can help.
Cant your h2b parents have a word

Thank you girls for your suggestions and support, it has been know for me to be a bit of a control freak - so I was feeling pressured into not having what we wanted -just so we have a church.

I heard back from my 2nd choice and they have a wedding booked in at 12pm, and after explaining the situation, he has offered us 10.15am. It's a little earlier than our 11am slot and I do have a 45min journey to get to the church - but we're really pleased.

My job for today is to get onto the suppliers who change of church would effect and check it's ok.... just hoping no-one has any objections!