Getting Married in the Catholic Church ?
Part of the preparation for marriage involves ensuring that the essential requirements for Christian marriage are met and that nothing stands in the way of its valid and lawful celebration. This aspect is ensured through the completion of the Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form (PNEF).
This form is the record by the priest/deacon, of his enquiry into the freedom of the couple to marry, their understanding of Christian marriage, and their capacity to enter the Sacrament of Marriage.
Therefore, both the Groom and Bride need to complete this Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form with their local priest of the parish where they live.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ ALL THE SECTIONS BELOW IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING IN THE CHURCH.
Statement of freedom to marry
PLEASE NOTE: IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU ESTABLISH THAT YOU ARE FREE TO MARRY.
PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE ‘Statement of Freedom to Marry’ HERE AND HAVE YOUR CHOSEN FAMILY MEMBER SIGN AND COMPLETE IT IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR PARISH PRIEST.
THIS CAN THEN BE PRESENTED TO THE PRIEST COMPLETING YOUR DOCUMENTATION ALONG WITH ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT HE REQUIRES.
Booking a Wedding in Sallynoggin Parish
Booking the Church and the Priest for your wedding
PLEASE NOTE: IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU GIVE AT LEAST 6 MONTHS NOTICE TO THE CHURCH OF YOUR WEDDING, TO ENSURE THAT ALL PAPERWORK (Pre-Nuptial Papers ‘PNEF’) CAN BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR WEDDING.
YOU MUST FIRST CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE, BEFORE ANY OTHER BOOKINGS ARE MADE, TO ENSURE THAT THE CHURCH AND PRIEST ARE AVAILABLE. THEN DOWNLOAD AND COMPLETE THE “Provisional Wedding Booking Form” HERE.
RETURN THIS FORM TO THE PARISH OFFICE ONCE COMPLETED.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ ALL SECTIONS ON THIS PAGE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING IN THE CHURCH.
Marriage Preparation
Booking a pre-marriage course to prepare you for the sacrament
When you contact the parish office you will be advised to book on a Pre-Marriage Course with ACCORD. This is compulsory.
Please DO NOT book a course offered by another agency other than ACCORD before speaking with the Priest who will be completing your Pre-Nuptial papers with you.
You will be advised then of the recommended courses available.
Getting married in another church ?
If you are getting married outside of this parish but currently living here, then in this case you still need to meet with the local Priest/Deacon here (in the parish where you reside) to complete the required Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form (PNEF).
PLEASE NOTE: IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU GIVE AT LEAST 6 MONTHS NOTICE TO THE PRIEST OF YOUR WEDDING TO ENSURE THAT THE “PNEF” CAN BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR YOUR WEDDING.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ ALL SECTIONS ON THIS PAGE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING IN THE CHURCH.
Civil Requirements
Understand the Civil requirements for your wedding
Make an appointment to meet with any Civil Registrar to give at least three months notice of your intention to marry in advance of your proposed date of marriage.
Before you meet with the Registrar make sure to contact your local priest, book your church and know the name of the priest who has agreed to celebrate your marriage (he is known in civil law as the Solemniser).
You will need the following information and documentation for your meeting with the Registrar (but you should check with the Registrar’s office just in case):
- Photo identification (preferably a passport or driving license)
- Names and dates of birth of witnesses
- Name of the church where you wish to marry
- Date of marriage
- Name of priest who will officiate at your marriage
- If either of you has been previously married you must provide the Civil Registrar with an original divorce decree, or if widowed then a death certificate is required
You will be given a Marriage Registration Form (MRF) from the Registrar when you meet him/her. This MRF needs to be to be presented to the priest/deacon who is nominated to officiate at your marriage in order to ensure the details are correct. It is the responsibility of the couple to bring the MRF with them to the church on the day of their marriage.
A verbal declaration of no civil impediment needs to be made by the couple in the presence of the Solemniser (Priest) and their two witnesses not more than 2 days before your marriage. This can take place just as you arrive at the sanctuary area in the church on the day of your marriage as the Rite of Marriage is about to begin.
After the marriage ceremony, the couple, two witnesses and the priest/deacon listed on the MRF must sign it. It is the responsibility of the couple to return the signed MRF to the local Registrar’s office.
Decorations and Flowers in our Church
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING YOUR WEDDING IN OUR CHURCH AND ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU IN ANY WAY WE CAN.
PLEASE REMEMBER, OUR CHURCH IS A SACRED PLACE OF WORSHIP AND ALL ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE WITH THIS IN MIND.
AT OUR CHURCH WE WILL OFTEN DECORATE THE CHURCH ACCORDING TO THE LITURGICAL SEASON OF THE CHURCH (e.g LENT, CHRISTMAS, EASTER…) AND SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE WEDDING PARTY RESPECT THE CHURCH CALENDAR WHEN PLANNING THEIR WEDDING IN THE CHURCH.
THEREFORE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE WEDDING COUPLE MAKE CONTACT WITH THE PARISH PRIEST TO DISCUSS DECORATIONS AND FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE WEDDING DATE.
THE PARISH PRIEST RESERVES THE RIGHT, ON THE WEDDING DAY, TO REFUSE ANY DECORATIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DISCUSSED IN DETAIL WITH HIM.