​St Philips Church
Parish of All Saints with St Philip Maidstone and St Stephen Tovil

All Saints Church Maidstone website is under re-structure - please use this website to learn about the events taking place in the Parish and to contact us regarding enquires and bookings for

All Saints church is open  10am -4.00pm during the summer months
St Philips church is open during church services please contact the office if you require more information

There is no doubt that the choices you make about your wedding day can make a huge impact on the total cost. Part of the cost will be for the legal fees, and everyone pays this. There are also optional extras which you can choose or decline, according to your budget.

Compulsory costs

There is a required legal fee for marrying in a church. In 2024, the legal fee is a maximum of £675* if you choose to marry away from where you live, and a maximum of £567** if you marry in your home parish.

This is set by the Church of England nationally and is the same for every church.

This basic legal fee includes the cost of the vicar, the church, calling your banns, a banns certificate, lighting and all administration. (After your wedding, when it has been registered at the relevant register office, you will also pay the register office for your marriage certificate – the certificate is no longer issued by churches).

This required fee has ancient origins and ensures your church can maintain essential services like weddings, christenings, funerals and all kinds of other ministries for you and your community.

Optional extras

The statutory wedding fee doesn’t include extras you may choose or decline, such as:

• The support of a verger, who ensures the church is warm, clean and tidy for your wedding and can help with handing out Orders of Service and hymn books etc. They can assist with disability access if needed by your guests and guide people to find their seats, toilets or crèche if there is one. They can be indispensable in larger churches, freeing up the vicar to give their full attention to you and the wedding service.

• Additional heating in the church. The vicar will let you know if this applies to your wedding.

• Having an organist, choir or bell-ringers – these extra staff will all need to be booked in advance. Sometimes, the church may ask for a deposit to secure these bookings.

• Bear in mind that if your wedding is filmed, musicians like the organist can request an increase in their fee to take into account professional performing rights (read more). Check with the church what the local arrangements are.

• Church flowers – some churches have a local flower arranger who can help you with the flower displays in church.

• ​

You do not have to have any of these extras, but many couples are keen to have at least some. If you choose them, they will cost extra. The costs for each will be at your church’s local rate.