Congratulations on your decision to be married! We are delighted that you may be thinking about being married in St Michael’s or one of our sister churches in the group of North Dartmoor Parishes.
We hope that the following will help you in your thinking. It provides essential information and answers the most frequently asked questions by couples considering a church wedding.
The Church of England now provides a wider range of marriage options than ever before. No matter what your personal beliefs may be, whether you have been christened or not, or whether you attend church regularly, a church wedding offers a unique and meaningful way to celebrate this important occasion. Choosing a church ceremony ensures that your wedding day is marked with a special sense of significance and tradition.
Provided you are single, over the age of 18 and live in one of the North Dartmoor Parishes, you have the right to be married at St Michael’s. [Under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022 marriage of individuals under the age of 18 is no longer permitted even with consent of a parent, guardian or 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 church Electoral Roll, our official membership list. Once a person’s name is on our Electoral Roll, and assuming they are not divorced (see below), they qualify for marriage in any church.
There are many other ways in which you can qualify for getting married in a church, for instance if your parents or grandparents were married in Chagford. For those who are not British citizens, and in certain other circumstances, it may be necessary to seek a special licence.
Although these details may seem complex, we are here to talk through your individual situation to find a solution. To get started please contact us:
Contrary to popular belief, yes, you can remarry after a divorce in the Church of England, but it is not an automatic right and depends on the discretion of the officiating minister. Since 2002, the Church of England has allowed remarriage for divorced people whose former spouses are still living, particularly in “exceptional circumstances”. You will need to discuss your situation with our priest to determine whether a church wedding or a blessing service after a civil ceremony is possible.
Unfortunately, at present, it is not possible for same sex couples to marry in any Church of England church.
We are here to help you to understand all of the possibilities. Please contact us even if you are only thinking about the alternatives.
There is much more information on the Church of England website about Weddings:
Wedding Fees 2025
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 at St Michael’s.
| Statutory Fees Chargeable | Fee (£) |
| Publication of banns of marriage | 37 |
| Certificate of banns, if needed | 19 |
| Marriage Service in church (see Note 1) | 594 |
| Optional Fees as agreed | Fee (£) |
| Organist | 100 |
| Choir of up to 10 singers (see Note 2) | 200 |
| Bell ringers | 175 |
| Provision of pre-recorded music etc | 40 |
| Heating of the church (October to April inclusive) | 60 |
Note 1
The hire of the church including priest, verger and lighting, and general administration relating to the marriage service.
Note 2
Soloists and larger choirs can be arranged by agreement.