The Catholic Catholic Churches of St Joseph’s, St Mary’s, St Pius X & St Edward welcome couples wishing to get married in our churches.  We, the priests, deacons and people of the Guildford community are witnesses to something special each time a wedding takes place in our churches, or even when we just prepare a couple for a wedding that is to take place elsewhere, sometimes on the other side of the world.

We would like to assure you of our prayers, not only for a successful and happy day, but also for a fulfilling life together for the rest of your lives. When you get married your marriage partner becomes an important part of your way to God. Each sign of love within your relationship can sustain, heal and help you to grow in holiness. 
​Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and we will do all that we can to help you arrange it as you wish. 
We ask that couples wishing to marry give at least one year's notice to the priest (prior to booking the venue) and undertake a course of Marriage Preparation. ​

Steps to get married in the guildford parish

IF YOU LIVE IN THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF GUILDFORD

• Register yourself and partner on the parish database if you are not on it already.
• Contact the Parish office using the contact form below to arrange an appointment to meet a priest to discuss the process of marriage within the Catholic Church. When you have met with the priest he will give you a direct link to enrol on our Marriage Preparation Course.
• Read this page in detail as it contains answers to many common queries.

IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE CATHOLIC PARISH OF GUILDFORD

• First make contact with your own parish priest and explain that you wish to be married in Guildford parish.
  
• He will then commence your wedding paperwork and (if you need it) will give you a direct link to enrol on the Guildford Marriage Preparation Course.
• Read this page in detail as it contains answers to many common queries

Register on the Parish Database

 MARRIAGE expression of INTEREST FORM

The priest will then contact you to make an appointment.

Some Important Information

• (Do not obtain any certificates/permissions. The priest will tell you when and how to do this.)
  
• In the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton it is required that at least twelve months notice of an intention to marry must be given to the parish.
• Your parish is the local catholic church which has pastoral responsibility for the area in which you live.
• Evidence of completion of the Marriage Preparation Course.
• A copy of the Baptismal Certificate must be produced by all Roman Catholics. This must be a new copy as it also acts as a certificate of freedom to marry. (You can obtain this from the church where you were baptised. It is a kindness to enclose a stamped addressed envelope when you write.)
• Further evidence of freedom to marry may be required. (The priest will advise)
• For baptised Christians of other denominations, a baptismal Certificate or other evidence must be provided.
• Permission from the State for your marriage to take place.
• For couples not getting married in the Catholic Parish of Guildford an administration fee of £50 is charged to cover the cost of the paperwork

upcoming weddings in our parish

THE ART OF MARRIAGE
A good marriage must be created.
In the marriage, the little things are big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
 It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values
 and common objectives
 It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers
in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating
gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere
in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
 It is not only marrying the right person,
It is being the right partner.