Congratulations if you are planning a wedding, we look forward to helping arrange this. We believe that marriage is of special significance both for you and for the community.
Booking your wedding
Download a marriage application from from here. Then phone or email to arrange a meeting. Please bring this completed application to the meeting.
To avoid disappointment, please check the availability of your chosen church before finalising a date with family or booking a reception venue. You can do a preliminary check using the Diary page but no date can be held as definitive until it has been agreed with the rector.
Wedding preparation conference
An important part of your preparation is that you attend our wedding preparation conference. The next conference will be on 25th February 2012, 9.30am - 1pm (changed from 4th February). Part of the morning includes a commentary on the marriage service, and discuss the hymn and reading options available, as well offering some fun exercises designed to support you in your future married life.
How much will it cost to get married in church?
This can vary from as little as £287.50 to as much as £922.50, please check the link in the left-hand margin. Up to-date fees for these parishes can be downloaded here. Fees are charged in accordance with the Statutory fees of the Church of England, with additional fees agreed by the PCC of the parish. The fees for the New Year are not normally finalised until December. If you are in particular need there may be charitable sources to help you with the cost of your wedding.
Can I get married in Smarden or Biddenden Churches?
You have a legal right to get married in one of these churches if:
- you live in the parish concerned, or
- you are a member of that church, ie on the official membership list called its Electoral Roll (you qualify to join the roll if you are baptised and have worshipped at the church regularly – that is once a month – in that church for six months).
In addition, a recent change in the law allow couples to get married in church which is not local to them, but with which they do have special connections. So we can consider a wedding at St. Michael Smarden or All Saints Biddenden if qualify for one of the following seven connections with the relevant parish.
One of you must:
- have been baptised in the parish concerned, or...
- have been prepared for confirmation in the parish, or...
- have at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months, or...
one of you, at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or...
- has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months, or...
one of your parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish.
Can divorcees re-marry in church?
Re-marriage of divorcees can be considered but each case needs to be discussed with the Rector in the first instance. You should remember to bring your Decree Absolute for your marriage interview.
Churchyard rules
Confetti can not be thrown in the churchyard.
Further information
Further resources can be downloaded from the navigation bar on the left, as listed below:
- Further notes and practical information on getting married in Smarden and Biddenden;
- The Church of England wedding service text;
- A sample wedding service
- Summary of Bible readings suitable for weddings;
- suggested Hymns and music for weddings;
- Rehearsal check-list.
Rev'd Alex Bienfait
October 2010