Marriage Checklist & Frequently asked questions:

1 - Notice of intended marriage

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 and the registration number.

If necessary, a Birth Certificate can be obtained from a Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Persons born in Australia require a birth certificate, persons born outside Australia may use their passport.

3 - Declaration of freedom to marry

This must be signed before the Celebrant prior to the wedding, normally a few days before the marriage.

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, 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 enquiry 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.

2 - Offering for use of the Church

This offering needs to be made before the booking can be confirmed.

Suggested offerings:
St. Patrick's $500
St. Brigid's $400
$100 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. Suggested offering: $300.
The offering for both the use of the Church and celebrant are payable at the time of booking.

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 provided at St. Patrick's.
Flowers are not supplied at St. Brigid's.
The suggested offerings reflect this.

All couples marrying at St Brigid's are asked to ring Beryl Prescott on 9667 3171 at least one month prior to their ceremony to co-ordinate arrangements for flowers.

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.