Planning to get married? Congratulations! We rejoice with you!

Sacrament Of Marriage
The Sacrament Of Marriage Catholic
Sacrament Of Marriage Wedding Program

We rejoice that you desire to be married in the Catholic Church! Because the Sacrament of Matrimony is such a great gift, Christ calls you to a full and prayerful preparation for this life-long commitment. We take our role in this preparation very seriously and look forward to preparing you for this beautiful sacrament.

As a sacrament, marriage is a grace-filled state of life in which Jesus is the third partner. Every baptised person has the right to enter a sacramental marriage by virtue of his or her Baptism. An annulment states that the marriage in question was not a sacramental marriage, but a natural marriage. Marriage is a beautiful sacrament, but it is also a great responsibility. The couple is committing to a lifetime of self-giving love to one another. This is only possible through the grace of God. Before entering into marriage, couples should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation shortly before the Wedding Day. The Role of the Program in a Catholic Wedding. In the Catholic church, a wedding is the loving union of husband and wife together with Christ. The official name is 'The Sacrament of Marriage' or 'Holy Matrimony.' A wedding in the Catholic church is a joyful occasion shared by family and friends. The Catholic Church believes and teaches that marriage is a sacrament, a symbol of the love that Jesus Christ has for his people, the church. As a sacrament, marriage is also a covenant by which a man and woman establish a partnership of love in Christ for the whole of their lives.

FAQs about Marriage at Blessed Sacrament

Who can be married at Blessed Sacrament? Blessed Sacrament welcomes engaged couples who want to celebrate their wedding here as long as either the bride or groom is a baptized Catholic.

How do we begin? To plan your special day, first email sacraments@bspwa.org or call the Parish Office at (206) 547-3020. We will invite you to an initial meeting in which we ask general questions to understand your situation and explain the marriage preparation requirements and documents needed.

What is involved in marriage preparation at Blessed Sacrament? We are using Witness to Love, a program in which engaged couples work with mentor couples to develop the virtues necessary for a successful marriage. Please see ourWitness to Love web page for more information about this program.

How long does marriage preparation take? The Archdiocese requires adequate preparation for a marriage – a minimum of 9 months. Exceptions to this rule can be made for exceptional situations.

Can anyone prepare for marriage at Blessed Sacrament? We do prepare couples for weddings in other parishes, as space allows.

What if we are parishioners at Blessed Sacrament but want to get married at a different parish? We will prepare your required paperwork here and send it to the parish where you will be married.

What if I have been married before? We will talk about this at our first contact with you.

What fees are involved? The wedding fee for current parishioners is $1250.00. (Please note that to qualify as a current parishioner, you must have been registered in the parish for at least 18 months, attend Mass regularly and contribute in some way to the life and work of the parish.) The wedding fee includes a cantor, an accompanist, and a wedding liturgy assistant.

The wedding fee for non-parishioners is $2150.00.

Marriage preparation at Blessed Sacrament is $300.00, with additional fees for a premarital inventory and a natural family planning course.

Please know that couples will not be turned away because of financial hardship. Please make an appointment to discuss your circumstances.

What times are available for weddings? Weddings normally do not occur during the seasons of Advent or Lent. During other seasons of the year, weddings may be held on Saturdays at 10:00 AM or 12:30 pm.

What about music for our wedding? Please click here for information about music for Nuptial Masses and Wedding Rites at Blessed Sacrament.

What if we are already married civilly? We can help you prepare for the convalidation (“blessing”) of your marriage. Please email sacraments@bspwa.org or call the Parish Office at 206-547-3020.

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We welcome your enquiry to marry in the Brighton Catholic parishes and invite you to contact the parish office to discuss your plans.

Marriage Preparation

Both the Australian Government and the Church stress the importance of good marriage preparation. We recommend that couples participate in either the Partnerships or FOCCUS programs.

Partnerships
Partnerships is a marriage education program conducted in a group setting with up to 14 couples. Topics covered include: communication; conflict management; finance; parenting & commitment. Most couples enjoy the opportunity to meet with others preparing for marriage.

FOCCUS
This is a program for couples who would like to reflect on their relationship in a more private setting. Couples meet with a Marriage Educator and complete a series of questions designed to help the couple obtain a greater sense of each other’s needs, expectations and responsibilities. The process is totally confidential to those involved. The aim is to facilitate open couple communication. We suggest that any marriage preparation be commenced at least six months before the wedding.

A Catholic Wedding

Traditionally the wedding can be celebrated in one of two forms:-

Nuptial Mass or
The Wedding Service

The decision regarding which form should be discussed with the parish priest.

Documentation required

full birth certificate
driver licence
passport
copy of baptism certificate.
Where there has been a previous marriage of any form by either party, evidence of the death of the previous spouse or evidence of both civil dissolution and church annulment of the previous marriage.

Costs
There is a composite fee of $850 for weddings. This covers administration, liturgical preparation, flowers and an offering for the priest as celebrant.

Yamaha small engine parts dealers. Please note that the cost of marriage preparation is not included in this fee. The date and time for your wedding will be confirmed on receipt of the Wedding Booking Form and the church fee.

Music
Our parish organist and cantor are available upon request.

Flowers
We will provide flowers in the church as part of the composite fee. No other flowers are permitted. Bows are provided for pews at the front of the church.

Confetti/Rice/Petals
These are not permitted in the church or the forecourt.

Wedding Program
We can email a template which includes a sample program and a marriage preparation manual.

Photographs/Videos
Only those officially engaged are welcome to photograph during the service. At the conclusion the priest may invite others to take photographs. You are most welcome to use our gardens for photographs as well.

Planning to get married? Congratulations! We rejoice with you!

FAQs about Marriage at Blessed Sacrament

Marriage Preparation

A Catholic Wedding

Sacrament Of Marriage

Sacrament Of Marriage Wedding Program