Can we get married at St Michael's Church? 

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The Vicar has a legal duty to be satisfied that you can lawfully marry in the parish before any arrangements can be fixed. To make this process as quick and simple as possible, it is best to telephone our Vicar (07541930605). There are four questions about you as a couple that will need to be clarified:

• Whether you are so closely related to each other that the law does not permit you to marry. You will need to certify that this is not the case.

• Whether either of you is not a UK National. Special issues arise in this situation and these need to be considered before further progress can be made.

• Whether either of you is qualified to be married at St Michael's Church. Qualification comes by virtue either of being a resident in the parish; or of being on the church electoral roll; or of having close family links with the parish.

• Whether either of you has been married before and your former husband or wife is still alive. In this case an interview with the Vicar will be necessary before any arrangements can be made.

After an initial meeting with the Vicar, these issues will be clarified and you will be advised on whether it is possible for a wedding to take place.

 

Why get married at St Michael's Church? 

St. Michael's is a beautiful, ancient building, making it the perfect location for a traditional wedding. That said, there are important differences between a church wedding and a civil service in a registry office or other licensed venue. These differences need to be carefully considered by a couple looking to book their wedding in church. Here are three things which we believe about marriage which might see us take a different approach to a wedding:

• We believe that marriage is a gift from God; a gift which celebrates joy and love, a gift which helps us care for one another - especially children, and a gift which helps to build and strengthen our communities, so we want to help you celebrate.

• We believe that marriage is sacred and solemn; we treat marriage with reverence and respect as a lifelong vow.

• We believe that marriage works best when God is 'at the centre'. The Bible tells us that 'love comes from God', and that the love and sacrifice necessary for a marriage to last the distance is a gift from him. To that end, we will pray for you, include a Bible reading and short talk in the service, and help you to consider God's love as you prepare for marriage.

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Is there a Marriage Preparation Course? 

If your wedding is taking place at St. Michael's, we want to prepare you not just for the day itself, but for your marriage relationship going forward. We recognise that different people come with different levels of relational experience and understanding of the Christian vision for marriage, so we don't offer a one-size-fits-all Course. We aim to tailor preparation to your individual needs. What's important is that each couple is given the opportunity to explore the upcoming joys and challenges of married life, and to understand clearly why marriage is such an important picture of Christ's love for us.

 

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What will it cost?

A great deal less than the reception! The fee for a wedding in 2023 is £664. There are additional charges for having the church bells, for special flowers and for providing an organist.