Marriage:

A Sacrament at the Service of Communion!

The purpose of marriage is to help married people sanctify themselves and others. For this reason they receive a special grace in the sacrament which Jesus Christ instituted. Those who are called to the married state will, with the grace of God, find within their state everything they need to be holy, to identify themselves each day more with Jesus Christ, and to lead those with whom they live to God. (Conversations with Saint Josemaría Escrivá, 91)

Congratulations on your decision to marry!
May God bless you and assist you to love each other as Jesus loves his bride, the Church.


The following policies have been adopted to ensure optimal satisfaction for everyone. More details are available when you book. Bookings cannot be completed online. Please call the parish office during business hours: (03) 9328 3474.

Choose your

Celebrant

You are also welcome to invite a Catholic priest or deacon personally known to you or you may ask the parish for a priest. Please advise the parish office of the celebrant’s details at the time of booking.

Choose your

Wedding time 

Weekends:

  • 1 pm & 3pm


Weekdays:

  • 10.30 am
  • 2.00 pm
  • 3.30 pm

 

Weddings can also be celebrated during the week, in which case times are negotiable.

Required

Documents

  • Full birth certificate, not an extract (if born overseas, a passport from your country of birth is also acceptable)
  • Certificate of baptism (for Catholics and other Christians)
  • Freedom to marry form from local priest (for Catholics)
  • Evidence of dissolution/nullity (for the civilly divorced)
  • Photo ID (Australian drivers' license/passport)

PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE


A marriage preparation program is an integral part of preparing for your wedding. The Archdiocese of Melbourne requires every wedding couple to complete a certified preparation course before a Catholic priest or deacon may witness their marriage.


For those marrying at Saint Mary’s, the preparation course will consist of three sessions with the priest and a two-day seminar led by a team of experienced married couples.


 

  • The first two sessions with the priest cover the completion of the marriage documentation and a talk on the teaching of the Church on marriage.
  • The third session is the wedding rehearsal.
  • The two-day seminar will cover different topics to help you have knowledge about marriage and related matters, discern your readiness to marry and stay committed to your vows, develop practical skills to live out the promises made on your wedding day, and to grow in the appreciation of the role of the Catholic faith in transforming your marriage into a Sacrament.

 


Appointments for the preparation course are usually arranged about six months before the wedding. All documentation must be received before any appointments are made.


If your celebrant is a visiting priest or deacon, then you need to return your paperwork to him and arrange a marriage preparation course with him. You may still book into our group sessions with a married couple at no extra cost – just ring the parish office to arrange this. Also phone the office to book the church for your wedding rehearsal. This is usually held in the week leading up to the wedding. It is advisable to organise your rehearsal time well in advance.


Dates for 2024 Marriage Preparation classes:

  • 3rd & 4th of February (Fully booked)
  • 15th & 22nd of June (Saturdays)
  • 11th & 18th of August (Sundays)
  • 19th & 20th of October (One weekend)

To book please email:
info@stmaryswestmelbourne.org


(Couples are required to attend their seminar at least four months prior to wedding)


For more information about the shared sessions with a married couple, view our Transformed In Love course overview.



On your
Wedding Day

ARRIVAL TIME: It is a matter of courtesy to your guests and to other couples being married on the same day that your wedding begins and ends as scheduled. Brides are expected to respect the rights of the next couple by arriving on time. 


CONFETTI/RICE/ROSE PETALS:   Like most churches today, we do not permit the throwing of confetti, rice, or rose petals in the church grounds or on surrounding property. We appreciate your support in keeping our Church and environment clean for everyone.


FLOWERS AND PEW RIBBONS:   Flowers and pew ribbons are supplied in the church as part of the fee.


PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO:   It is acceptable to photograph and/or video your ceremony as long as this is done in a respectful manner, and you are most welcome to use the front grounds of the church and presbytery for photographs after your wedding. However, if the next wedding party arrives, please allow easy access to the entrance of the church.

WEDDING GUESTS AND CARS:   Please encourage your guests to use the street parking around our church, thus making it safer for human traffic. Wedding cars must enter via Howard Street. There are to be no excessive noises from motorcycles or motor vehicles.


LOUD NOISES:   No loud drums, excessive noises, revving of motorcycles or motor vehicles, tire burnouts, etc. within the vicinity of the church or neighborhood, 

MUSIC


All music is to be arranged through the Sacred Music Centre. Wedding couples are to meet with the Director of Sacred Music to discuss their wedding music before the first meeting with the priest (usually at least 6 months prior to the wedding). It should be noted that your wedding booking will not be confirmed until your music has been approved by the Director of Sacred Music.


Music played at weddings must respect the sacred environment and the religious nature of a church wedding and thus, be sacred/religious. Secular (i.e. non-religious) and recorded music (e.g. CDs, backing tracks) are not permitted at St. Mary’s under any circumstances. Please contact the Sacred Music Centre for full details about our wedding music policy. 


Your music options are outlined in our Wedding Music information booklet. Contact Dr Andrew Mariotti at music@stmaryswestmelbourne.org or call the parish office on 03 9328 3474.



Download Wedding Music booklet

FEE STRUCTURE


$2,700 (includes $700 booking fee & donation towards restoration of the church). The church payment provides:

 

  • use of the church for one and a half hours
  • celebrant’s fee and marriage preparation course
  • flowers and pew bows
  • Musician fees are not included (please refer to the music form for more information)

 

If you elect to arrange your own priest or deacon, the final payment to St Mary’s is reduced by $300. However, you will need to pay your celebrant separately.


The final payment must be made to St Mary’s at least one month before the wedding.


Payments Options:

 

  • Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa)
  • Cheque/Cash (during office hours)
  • Electronic Transfer

 

EFT: St Mary’s West Melbourne Church Account

BSB: 083 347

Acc: 643 961 382


Subject to availability of the church, a wedding can be transferred to another date and time.


If you wish to cancel your wedding, please note that there is a cancellation fee, irrespective of when the wedding might be cancelled.

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