Part of the preparation for marriage involves ensuring that the essential requirements for Christian marriage are met and that nothing stands in the way of its valid and lawful celebration. This aspect is ensured through the completion of the Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form (PNEF).
This form is the record by the priest/deacon, of his enquiry into the freedom of the couple to marry, their understanding of Christian marriage, and their capacity to enter the Sacrament of Marriage.
Therefore, both the Groom and Bride need to complete this Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form with their local priest where they are residing.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THE SECTIONS BELOW IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING IN THE CHURCH.
Getting Married in the Catholic Church ?
PLEASE NOTE: IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU GIVE AT LEAST 3 MONTHS NOTICE TO THE CHURCH OF YOUR WEDDING TO ENSURE THAT ALL PAPERWORK (Pre-Nuptial Papers) CAN BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR WEDDING.
YOU MUST FIRST CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE (01-8744236), BEFORE ANY OTHER BOOKINGS ARE MADE, TO ENSURE THAT THE CHURCH AND PRIEST ARE AVAILABLE. THEN DOWNLOAD AND COMPLETE THE "Provisional Wedding Booking Form".
RETURN THIS FORM TO THE PARISH OFFICE ONCE COMPLETED.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THE SECTIONS BELOW IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING IN THE CHURCH.
YOU MUST FIRST CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE (01-8744236), BEFORE ANY OTHER BOOKINGS ARE MADE, TO ENSURE THAT THE CHURCH AND PRIEST ARE AVAILABLE. THEN DOWNLOAD AND COMPLETE THE "Provisional Wedding Booking Form".
Suggested
Readings
for Mass
Booking a Wedding in our church
Provisional Wedding
Booking Form
Booking the Church and the Priest for your wedding
Statement
of Freedom
to marry
If you are getting married outside of the parish where you are currently living then in this case you need to meet with the local Priest/Deacon (in the parish where you reside) to complete the required Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form (PNEF).
PLEASE NOTE: IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU GIVE AT LEAST 3 MONTHS NOTICE TO THE PRIEST OF YOUR WEDDING TO ENSURE THAT THE "PNEF" CAN BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR WEDDING.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ THE SECTIONS BELOW IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF YOU FOR YOUR WEDDING IN THE CHURCH.
Getting married in another church ?
Marriage Preparation
When you contact the parish office you will be advised to book on a Pre-Marriage Course with ACCORD (or Nazareth Family Institute).
Please DO NOT book a course offered by another agency other than ACCORD or NAZARETH before speaking with the Priest who will be completing your Pre-Nuptial papers with you.
You will be advised then of the recommended courses available.
ACCORD
Booking a pre-marriage course to prepare you for the sacrament.
NAZARETH
Civil Requirements
Make an appointment to meet with any Civil Registrar to give at least three months notice of your intention to marry in advance of your proposed date of marriage.
Before you meet with the Registrar contact your local priest, book your church and know the name of the priest who has agreed to celebrate your marriage (he is known in civil law as the Solemniser).
You will need the following information and documentation for your meeting with the Registrar:
- Photo identification (preferably a passport or driving license)
- Names and dates of birth of witnesses
- Name of the church where you wish to marry
- Date of marriage
- Name of priest who will officiate at your marriage
- If either of you has been previously married you must provide the Civil Registrar with an original divorce decree, or if widowed then a death certificate is required
You will be given a Marriage Registration Form (MRF) from the Registrar when you meet him/her. This MRF needs to be to be presented to the priest/deacon who is nominated to officiate at your marriage in order to ensure the details are correct.
It is the responsibility of the couple to bring the MRF with them to the church on the day of their marriage.
A verbal declaration of no civil impediment needs to be made by the couple in the presence of the Solemniser (Priest) and their two witnesses not more than 2 days before your marriage. This can take place just as you arrive at the sanctuary area in the church on the day of your marriage as the Rite of Marriage is about to begin.
After the marriage ceremony, the couple, two witnesses and the priest/deacon
listed on the MRF must sign it.
It is the responsibility of the couple to return the signed MRF to the local Registrar's office.
Understand the Civil requirements for your wedding
Understanding Marriage
Marriage is a lifelong partnership, commitment, based in love, for the well being of the spouses and for the purpose of having and rearing children.
It is absolutely dependent on the free consent of the couple.
The Second Vatican Council applies the expression ‘domestic Church’ to the Catholic family. It is in the family that the faith is first taught to children, and marriage represents the first school of Christian life.
How does the Sacrament of Matrimony come about?
How does the Sacrament of Matrimony come about?
The Sacrament of Matrimony comes about through a promise made by a man and a woman before God and the Church, which is accepted and confirmed by God and consummated by the bodily union of the couple.
Because God himself forms the bond of sacramental marriage, it is binding until the death of one of the partners. [CCC 1625-1631]
The man and the woman mutually administer the sacrament of Matrimony.
A sacramental marriage has three necessary elements:
The man and the woman mutually administer the sacrament of Matrimony.
A sacramental marriage has three necessary elements:
- Free consent
- The affirmation of a lifelong, exclusive union, and
- Openness to children. [CCC 1644-1654]
What it means to be married in the Church.