Marriage

Marriage is a special calling by which couples give themselves to each other in a life-long partnership. It is a blessing to experience the beauty of human love, a love that mirrors the love of God. 

St Bernard’s Parish congratulates you on your upcoming wedding and welcomes you.  

The following will help answer some questions you may have, as you plan for your special day. 

Celebrant for wedding celebration

The parish priest at St Bernard’s would be happy to celebrate and officiate at your wedding. Please contact the Parish Office for his and the church's availability. 

If you have your own celebrant - a priest who is a friend or relative, that you would like to officiate at your wedding, they are more than welcome at our Church. Any Catholic Priest or deacon registered with the civil authorities as a Celebrant may officiate. He will need to provide our office with written confirmation of his availability for the chosen date and time to celebrate your marriage. 

 Documents required

At the first meeting with your celebrant, you will each need to provide either a full birth certificate if born in Australia, or a valid passport if born overseas. 

For the baptised parties, you will need to provide a certificate of baptism. If you do not have a baptism certificate, please contact the parish where you were baptised and request a baptism certificate extract. 

 Letter of Freedom - This is required for all Catholics not living in St Bernard’s Parish and can be obtained from the parish where the bride or groom reside.

Forms to fill out 

The Celebrant will guide you to fill out forms required by both the Government and the Church at your first meeting :

a) Notice of intended marriage - (Government form)

b) Pre-Nuptial enquiry form - (Church form)

c) Application for a dispensation - This will be required when one of the parties is not a Catholic. (Church form)

d) Marriage preparation program - the celebrant will introduce a suitable program to be undertaken by the couple, in preparation for their marriage life. 

Booking the Church

This should be done through the Parish Office well ahead of the planned wedding date.

 Please contact the Parish Office to confirm the availability of the Church and priest and to book an appointment to discuss your wedding ceremony.

Offering for use of the Church 

Couples wishing to get married at St Bernard’s are asked to make a financial contribution of ($300) for the Church and ($500) for the Priest who celebrates the wedding. A deposit is to be paid at the time of booking and registration, with the balance due one month before the wedding.

Please fill in the enquiry form below. We will contact you to discuss your requirements and make your booking. Your booking will be confirmed once you have paid the deposit and completed the required forms. If for any reason you wish to cancel your booking, you should ring the Parish Office as early as possible.

 Ceremony or Nuptial Mass

The type of Church ceremony is decided upon by the bride and groom, in consultation with the celebrant. 

We congratulate you on your upcoming wedding and wish you a happy future together.