Weddings at All Saints Whitstable
(video of church below)

Congratulations on your engagement! We are absolutely thrilled that you are considering celebrating your marriage with us at All Saints Whitstable, and we would love to be part of your special day. As the oldest church in our parish, dating all the way back to the 12th century, All Saints provides a deeply historic and beautiful setting that has joyfully hosted weddings for many, many centuries. Rooted in rich local heritage—with our historic churchyard being the second largest in East Kent and home to beautiful memorials dating back to the 15th century—it is a truly timeless and special place to make your vows. Situated in extensive grounds with two car parks, we are conveniently located just one mile from the town centre and the vibrant Tankerton coast. Above all, we want you to feel completely at home here, and we joyfully welcome people of all faith backgrounds, as well as those with no religious belief, to celebrate their marriage with us.

Getting Started and Eligibility

Before booking, we strongly encourage you to visit the "About" section on our website to watch the introductory videos of our church. You are also warmly invited to view the interior of the church on Saturdays between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM, or by attending our regular services on Thursdays at 10:00 AM or Sundays at 8:00 AM or 10:30 AM. All preliminary inquiries are managed through the church website and routed to our church office administrator.

To marry at a Church of England church, you need to establish a legal "qualifying connection".

• The Single Connection Rule: Only one partner needs to fulfill a qualifying connection; the other does not need any connection to Whitstable.

• Faith Requirements: Neither of you needs to be baptized, christened, or a member of the Church of England.

• Automatic Right: You have an automatic right to marry here if at least one of you currently resides in Whitstable, or has lived in Whitstable for at least six months in the past, provided both are UK citizens and neither has been previously married. For legal purposes, "Whitstable" includes the entire town, alongside Seasalter, Tankerton, Chestfield, and Swalecliffe.

• Alternative Connections: A connection is also established if one of you was baptized or confirmed at a Church of England church in Whitstable, if a parent lived or habitually attended worship here for at least six months during your lifetime, or if your parents or grandparents were married in a Church of England church in Whitstable.

• Creating a Connection: If you have no prior links, you can create a connection by committing to attend public worship at All Saints at least once a month for six months before the wedding. Please note that you cannot alternate who attends; at least one of you must attend, and that same person must attend regularly every month, though in practice couples usually enjoy attending together every month. You may book your date immediately on this condition. If this attendance requirement is not met, the legal right to marry in the church is forfeited, and the service will automatically convert to a Church Blessing (Service of Dedication and Prayer) following a civil registry office marriage.

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The Pastoral Interview & Booking Process

Once you have reviewed all requirements, submitted your booking form, and verified initial details with our church office, your information will be passed to a member of our clergy team to arrange a pastoral interview. This supportive meeting usually takes place at the church, at the minister's home, or via video call if you live far away. 

 

Standard Applications

For UK nationals with no previous marriages, this meeting explores the Christian understanding of marriage, walks you through the service liturgy and spaces, and verifies your legal ID. You must bring an original Passport. Driving licences are not accepted; if you do not have a passport, you must provide both an original Birth Certificate and a recent utility bill. The officiating minister will complete the application, scan it, and share it with you, our Wedding Administrator, and our Treasurer.

 

Divorced Persons

The Church of England permits divorced individuals with a living former spouse to marry in church under specific guidelines, subject to the officiating minister's discretion.

• You must provide an original Decree Absolute, as a Decree Nisi is not accepted.

• Our minister will conduct a confidential pastoral interview to explore the circumstances of the previous marriage's breakdown. They will also determine if the current relationship was a primary cause of the divorce, and if marrying  might cause deep upset or unease as a result

• If a legal marriage cannot be performed, our clergy will warmly offer a Service of Prayer and Dedication following a civil ceremony.

 

Foreign Nationals

Due to UK immigration laws, non-UK/non-Irish nationals without EU Settled status cannot use the standard Banns process.

• After proving a qualifying connection, our minister will issue a formal letter of consent.

• You must take this to a civil Register Office to give notice and apply for a Superintendent Registrar’s Certificate (SRC).

• There is a mandatory 28-day waiting period, which the Home Office may extend to 70 days.

• Your date is only provisionally held until the SRC is physically handed to our minister. Alternatively, foreign nationals may need to complete civil formalities instead, which should be discussed with our Vicar.

 

Couples Residing Outside England

UK citizens living in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or abroad require a Common Licence. With our help you will contact the local Diocesan Wedding Surrogate and meet them in person to swear a legal Affidavit confirming your identity, residence, and qualifying connection. This licence is issued within three months of the wedding, with fees paid directly to the Surrogate.

 

Church Guidelines for Your Big Day

• Flowers: A £80 contribution provides specially chosen flowers for your wedding. If you decline, standard weekly church arrangements will be displayed. External commercial florists or private individuals are not permitted to arrange pedestals inside the church to avoid scheduling conflicts, though pre-made pew ends may be brought in separately.

• Confetti: Confetti is welcome, provided it is thrown at the lytchgate which is the traditional area for confetti.

• Photography: Guests are asked not to take photos during the service, but everyone may take pictures as you walk down the aisle at the end. Professional photographers and videographers must meet the officiating minister beforehand to be shown the two designated standing spots. They may use limited flash and shoot during the signing and service, provided they are discreet and do not walk around. Photographers must wear appropriate, formal clothing (no t-shirts or shorts) to blend into the proceedings.

 

2026 Fees and Payment

A £50 deposit at the time of booking is required to secure your wedding date at the time of booking. All final balances must be paid four weeks prior to your wedding day via bank transfer or cheque (payable to All Saints’ Whitstable DCC) to our Treasurer. Your £50 deposit will be deducted from these totals. Please note that if you are booking for 2027, statutory fees are strictly revised by the Church of England every January, and both mandatory and optional fees will increase in line with inflation.

 

These are the fees for 2026

Statutory Fees (Mandatory):

• Marriage Fee: £566

• Banns Fee: £39

• Total Legal Fees: £605

 

Additional Optional Non-Statutory Fees:

• Verger: £40 (Strongly advised; manages unlocking, tidying, sound systems, and doors)

• Organist: £90

• Choir: £130 (Eight to ten adult singers to lead hymns)

• Bells: £160 (Eight ringers to ring before and after your service)

• Flowers: £80

• Heating: £45 (Strongly recommended October to April inclusive)

Example Standard Service (Organist & Verger): £735 (£780 with heating). Example Complete Choral & Bellringer Service (All options included): £1,150.

 

We look forward to helping you plan a beautiful and memorable wedding day!

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