Congratulations on your decision to take one of the most important steps in your lives by getting married! We wish you every blessing in your future as husband and wife.
Preparing for Marriage
Reserving a Church for your Wedding- We have three churches in our parish: Abbeyknockmoy, Brooklodge & Ryehill which are popular choices for religious celebrations. In order to secure the date you would like for your wedding we encourage you to confirm your reservation at the earliest opportunity.
- In order to support the ongoing maintenance of our churches and grounds and to cover the costs of insurance, lighting, heating, etc during your wedding (and rehearsal if you have one), a church donation is gratefully accepted.
- To reserve one of our churches, please make contact with the Church Sacristan to check availability. You can reserve one of our churches for your wedding on any day except Sunday, Holy Days or during Holy Week (the week concluding on Easter Sunday).
- You are very welcome to come and look at our churches before choosing which one suits your needs. The following information may assist you: All three churches are also open for weekend masses. Ample parking is available for you and your guests at all of the churches.
Church Documentation - The following documentation must be received in preparation for your wedding. Please be aware that if you are not from Abbeyknockmoy Parish you will need to contact the priest in the parish where you live at least six months before your wedding in order to obtain his assistance in preparing some of this documentation.
- Pre-nuptial enquiry form must be completed for each of you with your local priest i.e. the priest of the parish where you have been living for the past six months. Due six months before the wedding.
- Baptismal Certificate for each of you issued and dated within six months of your wedding. Due four months before the wedding.
- Confirmation Certificate for each of you within six months of your wedding. Due four months before the wedding
- Letters of Freedom for each of you. This is a letter signed by your parents confirming that you have not entered into any form of Marriage before. Six months before the wedding.
- Marriage Registration Form (MRF). This form will be issued to you by the Registrar of Marriages (see “Civil registration” below) when you have fulfilled their requirements. On the day of your wedding
Civil Registration- All couples must make an appointment to meet with the Registrar of Marriages before the wedding. While the law requires that you provide the Registrar with at least three months notice, we strongly recommend that you complete this process at least six months before you are due to be married. http://www.hse.ie/go/marriage/
- You will be required to bring a variety of documents when meeting the Registrar of Marriages so please study the requirements on their website carefully. When you have met all the civil registration requirements the Registrar of Marriages will issue you with a Marriage Registration Form (MRF). You should review the MRF with the priest who has agreed to marry you to ensure that all the details are correct.
- You must then bring the MRF to the church on the day of your wedding as your marriage cannot proceed without it.
- At the end of your wedding ceremony the MRF will be signed by both of you, the Best Man and the Bridesmaid, either in the sacristy or at a table near the Altar depending on your preference.
Marriage Preparation Programme (“Pre-marriage Course”)- The Parish and Diocese has a requirement for you to take part in a marriage preparation course which will give you an opportunity to explore your relationship together before your marriage and assist you in focussing on the issues and responsibilities of married life.
- These courses are run by Accord and you will find full details on their website www.accord.ie. Please be aware that these courses book out early so we strongly encourage you to book and complete your marriage preparation course as soon as you have booked the church.
- A useful website for planning your ceremony is www.gettingmarried.ie.
Papal Blessing (optional)- Some people like to obtain the Holy Father’s blessing on the occasion of their marriage. Having obtained a note from the priest who is going to marry you, you can apply for the Papal Blessing through Veritas (tel: 01 878 8177). This needs to be done at least 10 weeks before your wedding.
Sacrament of Reconciliation- As part of your preparation for marriage, we would earnestly recommend you to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the days preceding your wedding. This is a wonderful way to complete your new beginning. Your wedding day is a day to be truly at peace with God and with each other. Sacraments
Your Priest- The priest who will marry you will play a key role in your preparation for marriage and in your wedding ceremony. If you are living in the parish. If you are arranging your own priest, please be conscious of the fact that your priest will dedicate a significant amount of their time and energy to your wedding. In recognition of your gratitude for his guidance and advice and his time spent meeting you, preparing your marriage papers, travelling to the rehearsal and the wedding, etc it is usual for the groomsman to give the priest an offering on the day of your wedding.
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