Marrying at St Mary’s
Congratulations on your decision to marry! May God bless you on your wedding day and give you the grace to consecrate your lives to each other, and to love your spouse as Jesus loves his church. The gothic splendour of St Mary Star of the Sea ensures that it is a very popular wedding church. Consequently, a few policies have been adopted to ensure optimal satisfaction for everyone. More details are available when you book. The church can only be booked by personally contacting the parish office. A Christian marriage is not just a social institution, much less a mere remedy for human weakness....
Read MoreWedding times
St Mary’s is a very popular wedding church. Its beauty evokes the grandeur of a cathedral, but it is not so big that your guests will fill ‘lost in space.’ It is advisable to book the church at least 12 months in advance. It is very important that weddings start on time. A delay of more than 10 minutes is unacceptable, and can cause serious inconvenience to your guests and to the next wedding party. A delayed start may result in a shortened ceremony and restricted music and photography. Weddings may be booked for the following times: Weekdays Weddings can be...
Read MoreBooking and pricing
Bookings can be made by phoning the office between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Friday. At the time of booking, we require the names, addresses and all phone numbers of both parties. $700 must be paid to secure your booking. This can be paid by credit card, cheque, money order or cash. The parties will then receive a receipt, a letter of confirmation of date and time, and forms for both parties to complete. Subject to availability of the church, a wedding can be transferred to another date and time without incurring extra expense. If you wish to cancel your booking, you must do so in writing. Your...
Read MoreDocuments
It will be necessary to complete the bridegroom/bride forms provided by St Mary’s and accompany these with the following: a full birth certificate, not an extract (passport is acceptable if born overseas); if Catholic, a certificate of baptism; if Catholic, a letter of freedom or permission to marry from your local parish priest; if previously married, evidence of dissolution/nullity.
Read MoreWedding music
St Mary’s resident musicians are provided by St Mary’s Sacred Music Centre. You may choose from organists, solo vocalists, choirs, and string quartets. Our professional musicians will provide the very best music, played according to the Church’s ceremonial requirements and with the special acoustics of St Mary’s in mind. A Catholic wedding takes place within a formal ceremony and is a prayer from start to finish. The music honours the sacred place where the wedding is taking place and gives glory to God. We promote live music at St Mary’s. Portable keyboards and...
Read MoreMarriage preparation
Fr Max Polak, the parish priest, Fr Joseph Pich, the assistant parish priest, and Fr Edward Barry, the catechetics co-ordinator are available for weddings at St Mary’s. However, you are most welcome to choose a priest known to you. If so, please ring the St Mary’s office to advise us of the name of your chosen priest. If you are being married by a priest from St Mary’s, then the parish secretary will arrange three appointments with the priest. Two of these appointments relate to the sacrament of marriage and the meaning and implications of your committment. The last appointment is a...
Read MorePew bows and flowers
Pew bows are put on the first fourteen pews (each side of the aisle) for weddings. Fresh flowers are arranged in the church each Friday and are suitable for weddings. The colour of the flowers typically reflects the liturgical season, so they do vary. Some examples of the sanctuary flower arrangement can be viewed in our Sanctuary Flowers photo album. Confetti, rose petals, rice The throwing of confetti, rose petals or rice in the church or surrounding grounds is not permitted. Bubble blowing is...
Read MoreWhite doves
White doves are scriptural and cultural symbols of peace and harmony. The custom of releasing white doves outside the wedding church is becoming quite popular. St Mary’s have their own white doves available for release at weddings. At the conclusion of your wedding, the doves are waiting in a white basket at the entrance of the church. The bride and bridegroom release them simultaneously, symbolising their new life together. St Mary’s doves are trained to circle the church three times before flying away. The release of two white doves costs $100. If you would like to release...
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