MARRIAGE
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY
In the Catholic Church, marriage is more than just the union of two people.
Within this incredible sacrament, God bestows His grace upon the man and woman
to bring them together in a covenant with each other.
Sometimes people who have not been to Church for a while can be apprehensive about approaching the Church for Marriage. Since marriage can be a time of rediscovering one's faith and making a new start, you should not hesitate to discuss your situation with us.
WATCH THIS MARRIAGE INFO VIDEO
EPISODE 48 OF THE THREE MINUTE CATECHISM SERIES USED WITH PERMISSION FROM KATHMEDIA 2018.
St Raphael's Church, Lowe Street
Van Middleton photography
St Gregory's Church, Molonglo Street
Bel Combridge photography
LOCATION DETAILS
There are many beautiful churches within our parish, which are available to your to celebrate your special day.
Please check the following details for each church.
You can always contact the parish office for more information.
Generally weddings are celebrated on Saturdays,
or Fridays (only during school holidays).
Locations
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St Gregory’s, Molonglo St, Queanbeyan
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St Raphael’s, Lowe Street, Queanbeyan
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St Patrick's, Michelago
Time Slots
The allocated times for wedding celebrations
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St Raphael’s: 2pm & 3:30pm
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St Gregory’s: 2pm & 3.30 pm
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Michelago, please enquire with the parish office
Capacity
All numbers are approximate
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St Raphael’s: 500 people
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St Gregory’s: 110 people (max)
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St Patrick's Michelago: 140 people
SACRAMENTAL OFFERING
Due to differing popularity, there are different prices for the churches within our parish.
- St Raphael’s, Lowe Street - $850 ($550*)
- St Gregory’s, Molonglo Street - $1000.00 ($650*)
- St. Patrick's, Michelago - $650
The cost includes an offering to the celebrant for his preparation of the ceremony.
A deposit of $200 is required within 2 weeks of booking the church and the balance is due 2 months prior to the wedding date.
Please pay the deposit using the on line portal below
(please select the drop down option 'Wedding deposit')
Please pay the balance through our online portal by following the link below
(please use the drop down option to select wedding balance).
*Altered prices for families who participate in the parish's planned giving program.
BOOKLET
Most couples prepare a marriage booklet or Order of Service. Your celebrant will help you.
REHEARSAL
Rehearsal is usually held on the Friday night before the wedding. Before your wedding, you will need to arrange with your celebrant and the Parish Secretary for a convenient time to practice.
The entire wedding party and any readers should attend the rehearsal.
BOOKING & PAPERWORK
Due to the personal and sometimes complex nature of wedding ceremonies, a booking is only able to be completed by contacting the parish office in person or over the phone.
Certificates required for each partner:
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Copy of Birth Certificates - full Certificates with registration number
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Any Deed-Poll for Change of Name (if applicable)
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Naturalisation Certificate (if applicable)
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Baptismal Certificates with confirmation date, and not older than 6 months prior to the Marriage date (not only Catholic but all other Christian Religions as well)
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Photo identification: current drivers licence or passport.
All couples are required to give at least six (6) months notice of Intended Marriage and attend a Pre-Marriage Preparation Course.
Six months prior to the wedding date, you will need to make an appointment to meet with the parish priest to complete paperwork.
Your Celebrant will need to sight your Birth & Baptism Certificates and initiate the necessary paperwork.
The copy of the Baptism certificate must have been issued within 6 months. (Contact the parish where you were Baptised and they will issue an extract from their register.)
In you wish to celebrate your marriage in our parish, but belong to another parish, you will need to obtain a permission letter from your own parish priest.
Please contact your parish for the relevant paperwork.
MUSIC
There are some options for music at your wedding.
1.You can download your music to an iphone and play it through a cordless speaker. This works well.
2. External musicians are more than welcome at your wedding however, at the discretion of your celebrant.
3. An organ is available for use at St Raphael's church. There is no organ at St Gregory's church. For music at St Gregory's church you will have to bring your own CD player.
Please note: All music used must be appropriate for use within the Church and must be approved by your celebrant.
FLOWERS
Please purchase and arrange your own flowers.
Please Note: you can look at the existing flowers in the Church as the wedding day approaches and if you would like additional flowers you can bring some extra ones on the Friday beforehand or the Saturday morning.
Some vases are available for your use. If there is more than one wedding on the day, we will notify you so that you might come to a suitable arrangement with the other couple.
PHOTOGRAPHY
There is no objection to the ceremony being photographed or videoed as long as the filming is done discreetly.
No spotlights are to be used and no camera access to the sanctuary.
The celebrant would appreciate you asking your photographer to make contact with him when they arrive at the church for the ceremony.
In addition, please no rice or confetti.