Initial Enquiries

Should you wish to explore the possibility of getting married at St. Mary’s, Fr. Jeffrey is our Parish Priest. Please have a word with him in person at the end of Mass or make an appointment to see him via the Parish Office. It is important to remember that initial bookings cannot be taken over the ‘phone or by email.

In order to celebrate the sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church, at least one of you must be a Roman Catholic; you must both be free to marry. At the initial meeting with the Parish Priest, and if it is possible for you to marry in the Catholic Church, then a date for your marriage will be confirmed. Please note, we do not have weddings at St. Mary’s on Sundays.

Normally, you should start making enquiries no less than six months before the proposed wedding date. Please remember that is very important to approach the church first before arranging your wedding reception venue.

Things to bring along to your first meeting with our Parish Priest:

• Statutory Declaration of Freedom to Marry – this must be signed either by a parent or alternatively a Commissioner of Oaths.
• Details of the place of Baptism for the Roman Catholic, and, if applicable, a copy of the baptism certificate for the non-Catholic party. If the non-Catholic party is not baptised, then this does not apply.

(A copy of the Statutory Declaration of Freedom to Marry paperwork may be downloaded here)

Legal Considerations

A marriage can only be registered if the couple have both given notice of intent to marry, and have done so at a register office and the Superintendent Registrar has issued two certificates. These certificates are blue in colour.

Both parties to the marriage need to give notice at either the same or different register offices, depending upon where they live. Both parties to the marriage must give notice on the same day. They must complete seven full days’ residence in that district before they can give notice and they may only give notice up to 12 months ahead of the marriage. After 28 clear days from when the notice has been entered, the Superintendent Registrar may produce the Marriage Schedule.

The Marriage Schedule must be forwarded to Fr Jeffrey as soon as possible after it has been produced.

Marriage Preparation

Your wedding day should be the result of much prayer and reflection. To assist you in this, the Parish organises Marriage Preparation, which is mandatory to attend. There is a modest fee for this, which you are expected to cover. These events are held throughout the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, and usually one of these per year is held within the Heavenfield Partnership.

Order of Service

You may choose to have a wedding service, or (if both spouses are Roman Catholic) a Nuptial Mass. There is a choice of readings, prayers and music; our Parish Priest will help you to put this together.

All Orders of Service must be pre-approved prior to printing.

Readings at your Wedding

The readings at a Catholic wedding liturgy are a proclamation of God’s Word and of the Church’s faith about marriage. For this reason, they are limited to readings from the scriptures (the Bible). There are nine options for the first reading from the Old Testament, thirteen options for the second reading from the New Testament and ten choices for the Gospel. You choose one from each of these categories.

The options for these readings in their entirety, as well as commentary to provide some context and highlight key themes in each reading, may be downloaded here.

Wedding Rehearsal

A rehearsal is organised for an evening during the week preceding the wedding itself.

Other points to note

• Confetti is not allowed inside the church.
• Photography must not intrude on the religious ceremony, or delay the bride after she has entered the church.
• It is a good idea to invite your photographer to the wedding rehearsal.
• Photographs are permitted before and/or after the signing of the Marriage Schedule. 
• Photography outside is allowed in areas adjacent to the church and drive.