To get married in either Smarden or Biddenden churches you need to arrange to speak to the Rector and complete a marriage application form. Either email Alex Bienfait or phone him on 01580 291454 to arrange a date.
We would look forward to helping you prepare and your wedding day, as well as helping you think about how you will make your marriage in the future. Part of the preparation is to invite you to a marriage preparation morning. You have a legal right to get married in either of our two churches if:
- You live in one of the parishes, or
- You are a member of the church, ie on the official membership list called the Electoral Roll. You qualify to join the roll if you are baptised and have worshipped with us regularly (at least once a month) for six months.
In addition, recent changes in the law allow couples to get married in church which is not local to them but with which they 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 parish -
That one of you:
- was baptised in the parish concerned, or
- was prepared for confirmation in the parish, or
- has at any time lived in the parish for a period of six months, or
- has at any time regurlarly attended normal church services in the parish church for a period of six months, or
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least six months, or
- has regularly attended normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least six months, or
That one of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish.
Fees are charged in accordance with the Statutory fees of the Church of England, as agreed by the PCCs of the parishes (follow fees link in left margin).
Re-marriage of divorcees can be considered but needs to be discussed with the Rector in the first instance.
Please note that confetti must not be thrown in the churchyard of either church.