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.
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.
or info@stmarywestmelbourne.org
Wedding Booking Policies and Procedures
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.
Choose your
Celebrant
You are 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.
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)
Choose your
Music
Music is provided by professional church musicians organised by the Director of Sacred Music, who possess the necessary expertise in liturgical and other such requirements. External musicians are not permitted to perform at weddings. Please familiarise yourself with our Wedding Music document prior to booking your wedding, which contains all our regulations, procedures and approved music list. In accepting your booking for a wedding at St Mary’s Star of the Sea, you agree to adhere to our music regulations and protocols.
Once your wedding booking is confirmed and your deposit paid, you will receive a receipt number, which will be required to complete your online music form. Booking of the musicians is organised after submission of our online music form at least 6 months prior to your wedding date. Please listen to our sample music selections to assist you in selecting your wedding 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. For further information, please email our Director of Sacred Music, Dr Andrew Mariotti on
music@stmaryswestmelbourne.org
PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE - A MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM
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 who may witness their marriage.
For those marrying at Saint Mary’s, the preparation program will consist of three sessions with the priest plus a two-day seminar led by a team of experienced married couples.
Sessions 1 and 2
- The first two sessions are with the priest to cover the completion of the marriage documentation and a talk on the teaching of the Church on marriage.
Session 3
- The third session is the wedding rehearsal held in the church with the wedding party and your priest.
Two-day Wedding Seminar
- The two-day seminar will cover different topics to provide knowledge and understanding about Christian marriage. The aim of the seminar is to help couples discern their readiness for marriage in order to stay committed to their vows, develop practical skills to live out the promises made on their wedding day, and to grow in the appreciation of the role of the Catholic faith in transforming their 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.
Using Your Own Priest
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 to have your marriage preparation course at St Mary Star of the Sea, however you will need to phone our office to arrange this, and to book in your wedding rehearsal well in advance. The rehearsal is usually held in the week leading up to the wedding.
Dates for 2025 Marriage Preparation classes:
- 22 & 23 February (One weekend) - CLOSED
- 18 & 25 May (Sundays) - CLOSED
- 10 & 17 August (Sundays) - CLOSED
- 18 & 19 October (One weekend) -
- 21 & 22 February 2026 (One weekend) -
To book please email:
(Couples getting married at St Mary Star of the Sea are required to attend the seminar at least four months prior to the wedding date)
For more information about the shared sessions with an experienced married couple, view our Transformed In Love course overview.
