Getting Married in our Parish

The Anglican Parish of Christ Church Essendon welcome enquiries about the celebration of marriage.

 

Booking a Wedding

The first step is to make contact with the Parish Priest Fr John (0417 407 768) to see if a particular date and time can be pencilled in as a preliminary booking.

 

The second step is to make a time to meet with the Parish Priest, usually 6 to 12 months before the proposed wedding to confirm arrangements and to start preparing for the wedding service.

 

Interviews

There are at least three or four interviews with the officiating clergy:

  1. to discuss wedding arrangements and complete legal documents
  2. to work out details of the wedding service
  3. as a rehearsal for the wedding. 

 

Church Attendance

In choosing a beautiful church for a service of marriage, couples are encouraged to enjoy its atmosphere in advance of the wedding by attending the 9.30 am Sunday Service. The church is a community of people. We look forward to getting to know you and to support you as you venture into married life.

 

If you have not been baptised and/or confirmed and would like to be, or if you would like to find out more about membership of the church, do let us know.

 

Remarriage of Divorced Persons

When someone's previous marriage has broken down, marriage in the Anglican Church is only possible after pastoral discussion with the officiating clergy, who must obtain permission from the Bishop in order to conduct the marriage.

 

 

Documents Required

1. Notice of Intended Marriage

This form needs to be completed by the couple and the Parish Priest no more than twelve months and no less than one month prior to the intended date of the marriage. The form requires the full names of your parents (including your mother's maiden name) and their countries of birth. (The Parish Priest has copies of this form)

 

2. Baptism and/or Confirmation

Evidence of the baptism and/or confirmation of at least one party should be provided.

 

3. Birth Certificates.

The officiating clergy must see your original Birth Certificate or Extract of Birth, or if not available your Passport or a Statutory Declaration regarding your birth details.

 

4. Consent for Minors

A special form must be completed for anyone under the age of 18 years. This is only possible on the intervention of a Magistrate.

 

5. Evidence of the Termination of a Previous Marriage.

If a person has been divorced or widowed, the officiating clergy must see the Decree Absolute or the Death Certificate.