Marriage in the Church

Pew decorated with wedding flowers.

Preparation Course

Preparation takes place two times a year. These sessions are primarily on Zoom.

Typically Marriage Preparation consists of five sessions, this will be confirmed to you closer to the time.

There is a Blessing of the Couples, usually at a 7pm Sunday Mass.

Tina Quinn and Deacon Andy Philpott lead the Marriage Preparation, but registration must go through the Parish Office.

Current Costs

Priestly stipend £250

Authorised Person’s Fee £86

Use of Church £150

Marriage Preparation Course £30

If the marriage takes place abroad there will be a Diocesan Administration £25 fee and our paperwork fee will be £50 for the priest

All fees are due prior to the wedding. Please discuss with the office if there are any queries or issues.

Marriage in the Church is a 'covenant' by which a man and a woman establish a lifelong partnership between themselves. Their love of one another is 'ordered' to the procreation and formation of children and find in them, as it were, their ultimate crown. Children are thus truly the supreme gift of Marriage and contribute greatly to the good of the parents themselves. ‘The couple’ therefore, both in embracing conjugal life and in accepting and educating their children, they help one another to become holy and have their own place and particular gift among the People of God.

Requirements:

  1. Neither partner must have been married in the past (either religiously or civily).

  2. If a Catholic then it is expected that you are not only Baptised (with proof: e.g: Baptism Certificate) but also Confirmed. If you are not Confirmed we highly recommend that you join the 'RCIA' (Journey in Faith) Group that meet weekly, so that you can be Confirmed at Easter. You can speak to the priest or deacon about this.

  3. Couples are requested to give a minimum of 12 months notice and to meet with one of the priests.

  4. They are required to take part in a Marriage Preparation Programme. This applies to all proposed marriages regardless of where the wedding will take place. Preparation is also offered to couples due to marry outside the parish.

  5. If the Marriage takes place in the UK you will need to register your desire to marry with the Registry Office (this will be explained by the priest)

  6. All the necessary paperwork and Canonical permissions will be explained by priest.