Introduction
Congratulations on your engagement! If you are considering a wedding in church, then the Church of England offers a wider choice than ever before. Whatever your beliefs, whether you are christened or not, whether or not you are a regular church-goer, a church wedding makes this wonderful event very special indeed.
We are delighted that you are thinking about being married in one of churches in the group of North Dartmoor Parishes. The following is designed to help you in your thinking. It provides essential information and answers the most frequently asked questions by couples considering a church wedding.
You can find out more on the Church of England website:
Who can be married in one of your churches?
Provided you are single, over the age of 16 and live in one of the North Dartmoor Parishes, you have the right to be married here. A person under the age of 18 requires the consent of their parents or a magistrate.
Alternatively, if you are baptised and have attended our church services on a regular basis for at least six months, regardless of where you live, your name can be considered for entry on our Electoral Roll (official membership list). Once a person’s name is on our Electoral Roll, assuming they are not divorced (see below), they qualify for marriage in any church.
There are now other ways in which you can qualify for getting married in a church, for instance if your parents or grandparents were married there. The clergy will be able to advise you.
What is the legal procedure if we meet the above criteria?
The legal requirement is known as publishing the banns of marriage. That means your names must be read out in the relevant church on three Sundays before the wedding.
In addition, when one or both of you reside outside the boundaries of this parish your banns of marriage must be published in (both) the parish church(es) where you and your fiancé(e) reside and the certificate given to the minister taking your service.
Your marriage can then take place within the three months after the final calling of the banns.
In every case, a Banns of Marriage Application Form has to be completed and a fee is payable.
For those who are not British citizens, and in certain other circumstances, it may be necessary to seek a special licence in place of banns.
How much does a wedding cost?
For every wedding that takes place in a Church of England church, a statutory fee is payable. Please see this list for the current fees.
In addition, there is a fixed amount payable to the Organist and the Bell Ringers, should you require them, and we are happy to discuss other requests you may have.
What is the position if one or both of us is divorced?
The church upholds the view that marriage is for life but it also recognises that marriages do break down.
Consequently, if either of you have been divorced and your previous spouse is still alive, the clergy will want to discuss this with you before agreeing to the marriage.
Do we have to be married on a Saturday?
No. Traditionally most people are married on a Saturday, but marriages may legally take place at any time between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm. Please see our Calendar for the times the churches are used for regular services.
Do you hold Marriage Preparation Classes?
It is an amazing fact that most people spend more time learning to drive a car than they do in preparing for their marriage.
We take seriously the need for couples to prepare for marriage together and the minister who will take your wedding will want to meet with you to talk about marriage and the service.
What should I do to book my wedding?
Assuming you meet the criteria for a wedding, or plan to do so before your wedding day, please speak to any of the Clergy or complete the Contact Us form. The clergy will discuss the matter further with you and complete the appropriate forms with you.
