Getting married at St Mary Moorfields
This historic church with its classical architecture makes an ideal wedding setting. It holds up to 200 guests. Marriages normally take place on Saturday or Sunday in the afternoon.
If you would like to get married at St Mary Moorfields, or receive marriage preparation here, then contact Father Peter Newby. He can also supply the form of the marriage rite and details about the readings, registrars, organists, flowers etc.
Marriage Preparation
The Catholic Church believes that a period of preparation is essential before a couple get married. The parish holds three separate marriage days each 'academic year' to which all couples wanting to get married must attend. The day runs from 10.00am to 4.00pm. It features talks on the human and spiritual aspects of marriage from Father Peter, a theologian, a young couple, and a NFP practitioner.
Each course costs £40 for each couple. This includes lunch. The forthcoming dates are 16 May, 6 June and 27 June.
Marriage documents
Providing marriage documents is necessary to ensure that both parties are 'free' to marry their spouse. For those marriages not taking place here at St Mary Moorfields all the completed papers are sent to the Chancellor of Westminster Diocese who then sends them to the Chancellor in your home diocese. These are then forwarded to your parish priest. The cost of the paperwork is £30, payable either in cash or with a cheque payable to ‘WRCDT’. If your home diocese overseas is concerned about the arrival of the documentation in time, reassure them that there is no need to worry. It is possible to have the papers sent back here from the Westminster Diocese Chancellor and for you to send them yourselves abroad. They then become your responsibility alone once they have been officially handed over with a signed document.
The following documents are required:
From Catholics
1.Baptism Certificate.
This is obtained from the Parish in which you were baptized.
2. Letter of Freedom.
This is obtainable by signing a Statutory Declaration of Freedom in front of a commissioner of Oaths (normally a solicitor). This parish uses a local solicitor and the necessary forms may be collected from this Church.
3. Permission from your parish priest.
This is only applicable for marriages taking place in Great Britain.
4. A copy of your birth certificate, if you are being married outside the United Kingdom.
From other Christian denominations
1. Baptism Certificate.
2. Letter of Freedom.
As above.
3. A copy of your birth certificate, if you are being married outsdie the United Kingdom.
A Non-baptised person
1. Letter of Freedom.
As above.
2. A copy of your birth certificate, if you are being married outside the United Kingdom.
The Church assumes that her members will marry in a Catholic church. However, it understands that sometimes this may be impossible.
A valid marriage may be contracted in the Church of England, using the Anglican form of service, in special circumstances such as the church being the regular place of worship of the Anglican party.
For the marriage to be recognised by the Catholic Church the relevant paperwork and preparation, as described above, would still have to take place.
Every Catholic who wishes to be married anywhere other than Great Britain must be confirmed. The parish has developed a special course for those who wished to be confirmed prior to their marriage. A course is currently being held for Confirmation on 28 June. Please contact Fr Peter for further details.
Possible difficulties when marrying away from home
There are sometimes difficulties in marrying somewhere where neither person has any connection. Many tour operators offer foreign wedding packages and superficially these look to have many advantages to do with cost. However all they want is your money and have no concern about your spiritual welfare, not the quality of the service in the local Church
Confirmation
Every Catholic who wishes to be married anywhere other than Great Britain must be confirmed. The parish has developed a special course for those who wished to be confirmed prior to their marriage. This lasts twelve weeks with meetings on Monday from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. The current course has already starteed and, finishes with Confirmation on Sunday 28 June. The next course will begin in September.