Weddings at St. Michael's

Getting Married in Church

After the romance and excitement of getting engaged often comes the overwhelming realisation of just how much needs to be done to plan a wedding. If you are thinking about getting married in our church we hope this information will prove helpful.

Why a Church Wedding?
St Michael's is a beautiful building, but there is so much more to it than that. As a community of Christians we believe in a God who wants human beings to flourish, and who created us for relationships that are life-long and life-giving. Through prayers, music, blessings, scripture and symbolism a church wedding is a service open to God's creative possibilities.

Who Can Get Married in Church?
We are always happy to marry anyone eligible at St Michael's. Who exactly is eligible is not up to us, but is a matter of law. Normally, to be married in a parish church at least one of you must reside within the parish or be a member of that parish church’s electoral roll. The electoral roll of St Michael’s is open to anyone who has been baptised and in regular attendance at worship for at least six months prior to application. As of October 2008 another group, those with a ‘qualifying connection’ to the parish, will also be eligible to be married at St Michael’s. To have such a qualifying connection you must meet one of the following requirements:
  • You have been baptised in the parish.
  • You have been confirmed through the parish, and your name is on the parish’s confirmation register.
  • You have lived previously in the parish for at least 6 months.
  • You have previously habitually attended worship in the parish for at least six months.
  • Your parent or guardian, during your own lifetime, has either lived in the parish or regularly attended worship there for at least six months.
  • One of your parents or grandparents was married in the parish.

If you wish to be married by virtue of one of the above qualifying connections please contact the vicar as soon as possible. Because of the legal issues concerned you will be required to produce reasonable evidence, written or otherwise, to demonstrate such a connection. If such evidence is unavailable you may be required to make a statutory declaration before a solicitor.

What if One of us is Divorced?
God is a God of second chances. We do marry divorcees at St Michael's on a case by case basis. If either of you has been married before there will be a process of discernment to go through before the vicar will agree to the wedding. It may involve having to discuss some difficult and personal issues and we cannot guarantee that the answer at the end will always be 'yes'. However, be assured, your dignity and confidentiality will be respected throughout the process.

What Next?
Contact the vicar. He will answer any questions you have and begin making the necessary arrangements. As dates (especially Saturdays in summer) book up quickly it is advisable to make contact sooner rather than later.