Marriage

The Catholic Church teaches that Marriage is a sacramental celebration of love between a man and a woman, symbolising God’s love for us. Marriage is a reflection of the loving covenant uniting Christ with the Church and a participation in that covenant.

When a man and woman get married, their families and friends gather to congratulate them and to wish them well in their life together. In the presence of family and friends and their priest, they tell of their love for each other. They promise to continue to love each other for the rest of their lives.

As a sign of their love, the man and woman exchange rings. They also exchange gifts as a sign that they will share everything they own with each other for the rest of their lives.

Marriage is life giving and the signs in the Marriage Ceremony itself are: The Marriage Vows, The Exchange of Rings and The Blessing.

Getting Married in Armagh Parish

All Weddings in Armagh Parish must be booked at the Parish Office (tel. 37522813) in order to secure the Church. Couples planning to marry must give at least 6 months notice. All couples planning to get married must be 18 years old at the time of booking. 

Depending on the type of wedding you are planning, there could be many, many things to think about and decide; from the reception to the car hire, the flowers to the choice of best man and bridesmaid.  With so much to plan it’s easy to forget or neglect that which is at the centre of it all—you, the one you love, and God.  These months before the wedding can be a special time in which to discover more about each other and lay the foundations of a real Christian Marriage.

As you are choosing a Catholic Wedding, the sacred nature of the ceremony is paramount.  We want your ceremony in Armagh Parish to reflect the important, solemn commitment you are undertaking.  The Church will encourage you to concentrate on what is at the heart of any successful marriage – true love for one another lived out in such a way that it enriches you, your family, the Church and our society.  We believe that your marriage provides you both with the opportunity to reflect and make decisions about the practice of your faith as well as the many other issues you will inevitably face.

Marriage Preparation

When you book your wedding, it is important that you register immediately for a pre-marriage course with Accord NI. Some couples are put off by the idea of marriage preparation.  A few even think that the Church is interfering.  In fact, quite the opposite is true.  We encourage you to attend the Marriage Preparation Course as it offers both of you the opportunity to reflect on how you communicate, to explore your understanding of commitment, how to manage conflict, how to be responsible parents and to live the sacrament of marriage. 

Pre-Nuptial Enquiry

There is a considerable amount of paperwork associated with a marriage and this can vary depending on your circumstances and plans.  Papers may have to be obtained from one or several other parishes and in some cases approval may even be required from the Diocesan Bishop.  It is therefore important to contact a priest as soon as you decide to marry so that you can be made aware of all relevant documentation.

(i) The usual procedure

Within six months of your wedding you should make an appointment to complete the Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form.  Church law requires that each partner is interviewed separately.

If either of you were baptised and/or confirmed in another parish, you should bring along with you a recent Certificate of Baptism and Confirmation, and a Letter of Freedom from that parish and any other parish in which you have resided for six months or more since you reached the age of sixteen.  

If either of you are not currently living in the Armagh Parish, you should contact a priest in your current parish, well in advance of the wedding, to have your Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form completed.  That priest will then forward all documentation to Armagh Parish.

(ii) Special circumstances or arrangements

Circumstances may be such that other procedures have to be followed;  e.g. If the marriage is to take place abroad, or one or both parties to the marriage is currently living abroad etc.  Details or factors of this kind, which will affect preparation, should be brought to the attention of the priest at the earliest opportunity.

(iii) Mixed Marriages

If your marriage is one of mixed religions or denominations then a particular procedure is adhered to.  The non-Catholic party will be asked to provide a Certificate of Baptism, (if he or she is baptised) and proof of freedom to marry.  After all pre-nuptial papers are prepared, they are sent to the Diocesan Office for approval of the Diocesan Bishop.  The celebration of Mass is not essential for a wedding and, if desirable, a Wedding Service can be arranged.

Civil Requirements

Couples getting married in Northern Ireland or in the Republic of Ireland must give 8-10 weeks notice to the Civil Registrar of the district in which the marriage is to take place.  If the wedding is to be celebrated in the Cathedral Parish of Armagh, then please contact Armagh Registration Office, The Palace Demesne, Armagh, BT60 4EL. Telephone: 03300 561130. Email: armagh.registration@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk. Opening Hours: by appointment only.

Further information on legal requirements can be found here

Times for Wedding Ceremonies

Weddings in Armagh Parish take place Monday—Saturday, in St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Malachy’s Church at 1pm and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tullysaran and Church of St Colmcille’s, Knockaconey at the bride and groom’s choice of time.  Before the ceremony begins it is good for the bride to allow at least fifteen minutes at the Church doors if photographs are to be taken.  It is likely that the Church will be needed for something after your wedding and the Priest will probably have other appointments following your wedding. It is important, therefore, that the wedding start promptly at the agreed time. If you wish to invite the priest to your wedding reception, please send him an invitation in advance.  It is important to appreciate that he may not be free to attend the reception because of other commitments.

The Wedding Mass / Ceremony

There are a variety of prayers, scripture readings and essential elements in the Marriage Ceremony which the priest will discuss with you.  You may like to involve relatives and friends in readings or prayers.  Such participants should be properly prepared.  Family or friends may also be involved in the presentation of the gifts of Bread and Wine at the offertory.  If you wish to have a rehearsal please contact your celebrant to arrange a suitable time.  All who are intending to participate in any way should be in attendance at the rehearsal.  This makes for a more meaningful ceremony and will help everyone’s confidence on the day.  Altar Servers will only be asked to participate if they are related to the couple and are in attendance at the wedding as guests.  The signing of the Civil Register always takes place in the sacristy as the Altar is for liturgical use only.  The priest, best man and bridesmaid act as witnesses to the celebration of the marriage as they sign the Civil Form afterwards.

Music for your Wedding

Music will add to the joyful atmosphere of your wedding.  Be sure, however, that the music is suitable, respecting the sacred nature of the occasion. Only hymns and sacred music should be played.  Secular pop songs are never allowed in the Church.  Some musical pieces, which might be entirely suitable at the reception afterwards, or in other situations, may not be appropriate in a church setting.  A list of your chosen music should be given to the priest well in advance of the occasion to avoid any embarrassment on the day.  

Stationery and Photography

Before printing wedding stationary, please confirm times and dates with the priest.  If you decide to print an Order of Service or Wedding Mass booklet please confirm with the priest that all of the text is accurate.  You can download an example booklet below. If you are hiring a photographer or videographer, please advise them that they must do their work quietly without causing unnecessary distraction. They cannot enter the sanctuary of the Church at any time. All cameras and videos should be battery powered without need for auxiliary lighting.  They shouldn’t intrude unnecessarily or obstruct aisles or passageways.  It is often a good idea for the photographer and the video technician to be in attendance at the practice if they are not familiar with the Church.

Flowers for the Church

Each of the four parish churches enjoy the service of flower arranging teams.  In St Patrick’s Cathedral and St Malachy’s Church, flowers are prepared for the sanctuary weekly in neutral colours to accommodate all events in the Churches.  No additional flowers should be placed in the sanctuary, with the exception of a candle arrangement.  Flowers may be used to decorate the Church in a moderate fashion.  No pins or adhesive tapes may be used when attaching displays to seat ends or lit candles be used in the aisles. The throwing of confetti is not permitted at any time in the church or church grounds.

Cost

If you intend to spend a large amount of money on your wedding, this is entirely your own choice and is in no way required by the Church.  The Church requires only that a couple be properly prepared & committed & that they have two witnesses & a priest to officiate at the ceremony.  

Parishioners

St Patrick’s Cathedral – £300

St Malachy’s Church – £300

Church of the Immaculate Conception – £250

St Colmcille’s Church – £250

Non-Parishioners

All churches – £500

This must be paid, in full, to the Parish Office at least two weeks before the wedding takes place (cheques can be made payable to Armagh Church).  

Payment Methods:

– Cash paid directly to the Parish Office.

– Cheque (payable to ‘Armagh Church’) paid directly to the Parish Office

– Bank Transfer (email the Parish Office for further information)

Couples may offer a stipend to the priest on the day, the amount is of their own choosing.  It’s also suggested that a small gratuity be given to the Church Sacristan for his/her help on the day.

Cancellations

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to: 

armaghparishoffice@gmail.com