Government Requirements:
1 – Notice of Intended Marriage Form
Usually the celebrant for your wedding will help you complete this form. In some circumstances it may be necessary to arrange for another celebrant to do this. The form is to be signed by both parties.
THE NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE WILL REMAIN VALID FOR 18 MONTHS.
IT MUST BE SIGNED AT LEAST ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE WEDDING.
2 – Birth certificate or current passport
Both parties require an official certificate showing the date and place of their birth; either an Australian or Overseas passport or a birth certificate can be presented.
Birth certificates can be obtained from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State where you were born.
3 – Declaration of freedom to marry
This must be signed before the celebrant prior to the wedding, normally a few days before the marriage.
Church Requirements:
1 – Baptism Certificates
If both parties are baptized they will both require a baptism certificate. Catholics must apply for a newly-issued baptism certificate from their parish of baptism.
For a marriage to proceed at St Patrick’s or St Brigid’s, at least one of the parties must be a baptised (Roman) Catholic.
Maronite and Ukranian rite Catholics must normally be married by their own clergy.
2 – Pre-Nuptial Inquiry Form
This will be filled in with the priest who is preparing the couple for their marriage.
3 – Application for a dispensation
This will be required when one of the parties is not a Catholic.
The priest preparing the couple for their wedding will prepare and handle the necessary application.
4 – Marriage preparation programme
The Catholic bishops are most insistent on the need for suitable preparation before marriage. Very suitable programmes are run by CatholicCare. The priest helping the couple plan their wedding will provide information about these.
Parish arrangements:
1 – Booking the Church
This should be done well ahead of the planned wedding. You have a better chance of securing your preferred date and time if you make your booking early. St Patrick’s requires at least 3 months notice for weddings of couples living in Australia. St Patrick’s Church can accommodate 350 guests, while St Brigid’s can accommodate 100 guests.
NB: Couples living overseas who are booking a wedding at St Patrick’s should refer to the special section titled “Information for Couples Living Overseas Who Wish to be Married at St Patrick’s”. Normally at least 6 months notice is required for weddings of couples living overseas.
Times at St. Patrick’s:
On Saturdays the normal times for weddings are 9.30 am, 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm. It is not possible to have weddings at St. Patrick’s on Sundays due to Mass commitments.
Times at St. Brigid’s:
The times at St. Brigid’s are Friday afternoons (latest 3.30 p.m.) and Saturdays 10.00 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. The church is not available for weddings on Sundays.
2 – Offering for use of the Church
This offering needs to be made before the booking can be confirmed.
Suggested offerings:
St. Patrick’s $650
St. Brigid’s $600
$200 of the above is not refundable in the event of a cancellation
3 – Celebrant
You are very welcome to have a priest other than one from St Patrick’s officiate at your marriage. If you would like a priest from St Patrick’s to be the celebrant for your wedding please indicate on the booking form.
4 – Offering for Celebrant
It is appropriate to make an offering to the priest who officiates at your marriage for the time he will spend completing the official documentation, helping you prepare your wedding ceremony and officiating at the marriage. The suggested offering is: $350.
The offerings for both the use of the church and the celebrant are payable at the time of booking. You may pay in cash, cheque or by Visa or Mastercard.
5 – Planning your Ceremony
The officiating priest will help you plan your marriage ceremony around the particular readings and forms of prayers you choose. You will also need to decide with him whether to have your wedding ceremony with or without a Mass.
6 – Rehearsal
During the week before your marriage ceremony it is advisable to bring the wedding party to the Church and rehearse the ceremony with the priest. The Church will need to be booked for this.
7 – Flowers
Arrangements of flowers are the responsibility of the wedding party for both St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s church. Only two floral arrangements are permitted in the sanctuary and simple bows for the pews. These are to be removed by the wedding party right after the ceremony.
8 – Music
You can arrange for one of the church organists to play at your wedding. The Parish Office will give you names and contact numbers. Payment should be made in advance to the organist.
Other arrangements regarding music for your marriage ceremony can be discussed with the priest preparing the ceremony with you.
9 – Photographs and videos
You are welcome to have photos and videos taken during the ceremony. Photographers should be discreet and speak to the celebrant before the ceremony.
10 – Confetti
We regret that it is not possible to allow confetti, rice or rose petals in the church or in the church courtyard at either St. Patrick’s or St. Brigid’s.
Why is this?
1. All our exterior surfaces are asphalt. Anything thrown on it has to be cleaned up by someone.
2. Confetti, rice or rose petals thrown outside will be tramped back into the church and will stain and damage our carpet.
3. Council regulations prohibit these items being thrown in the street.
