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.
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
For couples wishing to get married in any of the churches of the Guildford Parish, or who live in the boundaries of the parishes, should complete the following steps, which are detailed through this page
- Register yourself and partner on the parish database if you are not on it already it
- Contact the Parish office using the contact form to arrange an appointment to meet a priest to discuss the process of marriage within the catholic church
- Sign up and attend the marriage preparation course (all couples getting married in the catholic church must attend this twice yearly run course)
- Read this page in detail as it contains answers to many common queries
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The priest will then contact you to make an appointment.
Some Important Information
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upcoming weddings in our parish |
Marriage Preparation Course
This course is for engaged couples who are living within the Guildford Parish and who are preparing for Marriage. Two courses are run each year led by a team of married couples from the parish, working with the priests. Each course runs over three weekday evenings and a whole day, usually a Sunday
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Tina and John Nichols appear on the BBC's Songs of Praise talking about their marriage and the marriage preparation course that they run in our parish for engaged couples.
It is most important that you have spoken to your Parish Priest and he agrees with your application. Those outside the Catholic Parish of Guildford should bring a letter from their Parish Priest indicating his agreement.
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Engaged couples who attend these courses enjoy them very much and it gives them an opportunity to take some time out from all the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations to talk to each other about their relationship. No one can tell you how to have a successful marriage. There is no magic formula and all marriages are unique. The course merely gives you the opportunity to explore your hopes and fears for the future and to ask yourself very seriously:
Is this the person I want to share the rest of my life with, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part”?
When does the course run?
The Guildford parishes run 2 courses each year, one in February/March and another in September/October. They are led by a team of five married couples and take place in St Joseph’s Hall.
What are the course topics?
There are 4 sessions and it is important to attend them all as each one covers a different topic. The first three sessions are held weekly, usually on a Wednesday evening, from 8.00 – 10.00 pm. The final session is held during the day on the Sunday following the third session and includes a Blessing of Engagement at the 11.00 am. Each course will typically have about 12 couples many of whom will consist of a Catholic and non-Catholic partner. We try where possible to make alternative arrangements for couples who have problems with course dates.
The sessions cover:
There is no charge for the course although couples are asked at the final session if they would like to make a small voluntary donation towards the costs of materials and refreshments..
Do we get a certificate?
A Certificate of Attendance is provided for all couples who complete the course.
Who do I contact to enquire about the course?
You can make enquires via the form above to the Course coordinator: Tina Nichols,
Is this the person I want to share the rest of my life with, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part”?
When does the course run?
The Guildford parishes run 2 courses each year, one in February/March and another in September/October. They are led by a team of five married couples and take place in St Joseph’s Hall.
What are the course topics?
There are 4 sessions and it is important to attend them all as each one covers a different topic. The first three sessions are held weekly, usually on a Wednesday evening, from 8.00 – 10.00 pm. The final session is held during the day on the Sunday following the third session and includes a Blessing of Engagement at the 11.00 am. Each course will typically have about 12 couples many of whom will consist of a Catholic and non-Catholic partner. We try where possible to make alternative arrangements for couples who have problems with course dates.
The sessions cover:
- “Your sort of Marriage”,
- “Communication and Problem Solving”,
- “Loving Relationships and Parenthood,
- “Marriage as Sacrament and Covenant”.
There is no charge for the course although couples are asked at the final session if they would like to make a small voluntary donation towards the costs of materials and refreshments..
Do we get a certificate?
A Certificate of Attendance is provided for all couples who complete the course.
Who do I contact to enquire about the course?
You can make enquires via the form above to the Course coordinator: Tina Nichols,
THE WEDDING DAY
The details of the service need to be worked out between yourself and the priest/deacon who is conducting your wedding. Is a nuptial mass appropriate on this occasion or not? We will try to make your wedding service something you can look back on with joy. Besides thinking of the music you will have, you need to make a careful choice of appropriate passages from scripture. You will be provided with examples of readings. Time also needs to be taken to prepare some Intercessions (Bidding Prayers), which should include things you particularly wish to pray for on your wedding day. You need to think of people who can read for you and to lead the Intercessions, as well as your witnesses, ushers etc
Music
You are welcome to invite your own organist or musicians. We are able to provide an organist who will be able to help you choose the music if required, please contact the office to help with this. An organist is entitled to double his fee if the service is being recorded, and can similarly refuse to play if he has not seen the copyright licence.
Parking
St Edward the Confessor, St Mary’s and St Pius X have their own car park. At St. Joseph’s on Saturdays the car park under the church is open to the public on a “pay and display” system. However During the week the car park is used for private non church parking and you will get a parking ticket if you park during the week. There are other pay and display car parks nearby at G-Live and York Road
Flowers
Please contact and discuss with the parish office and priest to ensure your wishes are possible
Fees
Please contact the office to obtain the Marriage fee. It covers the church expenses; the celebrant fee for preparing the paper work, order of service and conducting the wedding. It also includes the Authorised Person as registrar according to the Registry Office fees, and one certificate.
Video and Photography
Your official photographer is allowed to take photographs in the church as long as he/she doesn’t get in the way or distract attention from the service, and similarly with video recordings. However with sound or vision recording you may be breaking copyright laws by recording texts, hymns and music. You may need a Limited Manufacture (LM) licence; a one-off licence costs @ £15, available from the Performing Rites Society (PRS). Each church holds licences; please check with the Parish Office if the printing is covered by these licences and ensure that the licence numbers are printed on the service sheet together with the name of the author of the text. If you are not marrying in the Guildford Parish, do check with the priest in the parish where you are to celebrate your wedding and if they don’t have a licence you can apply for one to: Christian Copyright Licensing Tel: 01323 417711. (There is a small charge for the licence)
Music
You are welcome to invite your own organist or musicians. We are able to provide an organist who will be able to help you choose the music if required, please contact the office to help with this. An organist is entitled to double his fee if the service is being recorded, and can similarly refuse to play if he has not seen the copyright licence.
Parking
St Edward the Confessor, St Mary’s and St Pius X have their own car park. At St. Joseph’s on Saturdays the car park under the church is open to the public on a “pay and display” system. However During the week the car park is used for private non church parking and you will get a parking ticket if you park during the week. There are other pay and display car parks nearby at G-Live and York Road
Flowers
Please contact and discuss with the parish office and priest to ensure your wishes are possible
Fees
Please contact the office to obtain the Marriage fee. It covers the church expenses; the celebrant fee for preparing the paper work, order of service and conducting the wedding. It also includes the Authorised Person as registrar according to the Registry Office fees, and one certificate.
Video and Photography
Your official photographer is allowed to take photographs in the church as long as he/she doesn’t get in the way or distract attention from the service, and similarly with video recordings. However with sound or vision recording you may be breaking copyright laws by recording texts, hymns and music. You may need a Limited Manufacture (LM) licence; a one-off licence costs @ £15, available from the Performing Rites Society (PRS). Each church holds licences; please check with the Parish Office if the printing is covered by these licences and ensure that the licence numbers are printed on the service sheet together with the name of the author of the text. If you are not marrying in the Guildford Parish, do check with the priest in the parish where you are to celebrate your wedding and if they don’t have a licence you can apply for one to: Christian Copyright Licensing Tel: 01323 417711. (There is a small charge for the licence)
Legal Requirement to Marry in England & Wales
Before a couple can marry they need the permission of the State. To obtain this you must both give notice of your intention to marry, in person, to the Superintendent Registrar of the registration district in which you reside and you must have lived in this district for at least seven days before you apply. A £35 fee is payable for each notice. Two superintendent registrar’s certificates (the marriage authority) must be produced before a marriage may be solemnised.
You will need to give a minimum of 28 days notice of your intention to marry, after which the certificates may be issued. The Marriage Authority Certificates MUST be given to the Priest/Deacon who is conducting the wedding, as soon as they are obtained.
A Notice of Marriage is valid for twelve months. If the church where you are to marry is in a different registration district to where you live, you need to prove to the registrar that the church is your normal place of worship. If you cannot do this, you will be required to give notice in the registration district in which the church is situated, after having met the necessary residency requirements.
You will find the Guildford Registrar of Births, Marriage and Deaths at Artington House, Portsmouth Road, Guildford, GU2 5DZ Tel: 01483 562841.
If you live in separate registration districts you will need to visit both registry offices.
It is a legal offence, punishable by imprisonment for a priest to marry you without the Marriage Authority Certificates! Even if you and all your guests are assembled in the Church, the wedding cannot go ahead without them.
These legal requirements are applicable in England and Wales only. If you plan to marry in any other country, including Scotland and Ireland, you must check the requirements there.
The church has personnel authorised by the state to conduct marriages on their behalf. The fee payable to the Authorised person at the time of the wedding is £90.
You will need to give a minimum of 28 days notice of your intention to marry, after which the certificates may be issued. The Marriage Authority Certificates MUST be given to the Priest/Deacon who is conducting the wedding, as soon as they are obtained.
A Notice of Marriage is valid for twelve months. If the church where you are to marry is in a different registration district to where you live, you need to prove to the registrar that the church is your normal place of worship. If you cannot do this, you will be required to give notice in the registration district in which the church is situated, after having met the necessary residency requirements.
You will find the Guildford Registrar of Births, Marriage and Deaths at Artington House, Portsmouth Road, Guildford, GU2 5DZ Tel: 01483 562841.
If you live in separate registration districts you will need to visit both registry offices.
It is a legal offence, punishable by imprisonment for a priest to marry you without the Marriage Authority Certificates! Even if you and all your guests are assembled in the Church, the wedding cannot go ahead without them.
These legal requirements are applicable in England and Wales only. If you plan to marry in any other country, including Scotland and Ireland, you must check the requirements there.
The church has personnel authorised by the state to conduct marriages on their behalf. The fee payable to the Authorised person at the time of the wedding is £90.
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.
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.