Weddings are very special and joyful times for a bride and groom, and for their families and friends. In getting married in the Church, we share your joy and ask God to richly bless your married life.
In the love that a husband and wife have for each other, the Church sees a sign or ‘sacrament’ of God’s love for us. In the Bible, the image of a bride and groom is used frequently to describe God’s commitment to His people. The image of a wedding feast or banquet is used also, especially by Jesus, to describe the happiness that awaits us in heaven.
We are delighted that you are considering Holy Name as the place to celebrate your wedding. Our beautiful church is situated in Jesmond, close to the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, with excellent transport links and many lovely venues nearby where you can celebrate with your family and friends.
If you have not visited Holy Name before, you are very welcome to join us for Mass or arrange a visit to see the church for yourself. You can also get a glimpse of our church by watching this short video.
If you decide to celebrate your wedding at Holy Name, we will be delighted to help you prepare for this important step in your lives.
The following information explains what is involved, how to make the necessary arrangements and what you can expect on your wedding day.
Getting Married at Holy Name
Who can marry in the Catholic Church?
At least one of the parties must have been baptised in the Catholic Church or, having been baptised in another Church, has become a Catholic. Both parties must be free to marry.
The Catholic party must normally either live in the parish of Holy Name or take part in Mass here regularly.
If either of you has been married previously, whether in a religious or civil ceremony, please mention this when making your initial enquiry. The parish priest will be happy to discuss your circumstances with you and advise on any additional requirements.
For a marriage between a Catholic and a person baptised in another Christian Church – normally referred to as a ‘mixed marriage’ – permission is required from the Bishop. The Catholic party is asked to do all that they can, within the unity of the marriage, to have any children raised in the Catholic faith.
A marriage between a Catholic and someone who is not baptised may also be possible, subject to the necessary permission from the Church.
If you are unsure about any of these requirements, please contact the parish priest, who will be happy to advise you.
Making your initial arrangements
The Church requires couples to set aside some time to prepare for the important step they are about to take. To allow for this, a minimum of three months’ notice before the proposed date of marriage is required.
Your first step should be to contact the Parish Office to arrange a meeting with the parish priest. At this meeting you can discuss your plans, the preparation required and a suitable date for the wedding.
We strongly recommend that you contact the church before confirming your reception venue or making other arrangements, as the date and time of your wedding can only be confirmed following discussion with the priest.
Times of services
Weddings are usually held on Saturdays, but other days (not Sundays) are available for your celebration. On Saturdays the times available are from 11am to 1pm.
Preparing for Marriage
Marriage preparation course
Your personal preparation must include taking part in a Marriage Preparation Course.
This is an opportunity for both of you to reflect together on your relationship, your commitment to one another and your hopes for married life. The course is designed to help couples prepare for marriage and is an important part of the Church’s preparation process.
We recommend the courses provided by Marriage Care, which participants have described as ‘worthwhile’, ‘enjoyable’, ‘helpful’ and ‘thought-provoking’.
Marriage Care offers both online and face-to-face courses. On completion, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance, a copy of which should be given to the parish priest for inclusion in your marriage documents.
Church requirements and documentation
A few months before your wedding, the parish priest will complete a Prenuptial Enquiry Form with you. This will establish that at least one of you is Catholic, that you are both free to marry in the Catholic Church, and that you understand the commitment you are making to each other.
You will also need to provide some documentation, which may include:
- An up-to-date Baptism Certificate from the Catholic church where you were baptised.
- A Baptism Certificate from another Christian Church, if applicable.
- Your Certificate of Attendance from the Marriage Preparation Course.
- Any additional declarations, permissions or documentation required by the Church in your particular circumstances.
If you were baptised in a Catholic church, you should contact that church to request a recently issued certificate rather than relying on the certificate originally given to your family.
The priest will guide you through the requirements and advise you if any additional documents are needed.
Legal requirements
You are also required by civil law to register your intention to marry at a Register Office. This is known as ‘giving notice’.
You must normally give notice at least 29 days before your wedding, and your ceremony must take place within 12 months of giving notice. Different or additional requirements may apply depending on your immigration circumstances.
We recommend that you make the necessary arrangements with the Register Office as soon as the date of your wedding has been confirmed with the priest.
You will normally need to make an appointment at your local Register Office. If you and your partner live in different registration districts, you will generally need to give notice separately.
For further information, please visit:
Following the giving of notice, the necessary marriage schedule must be available for the ceremony. Holy Name has its own authorised persons, so it is not normally necessary for a Registrar of Marriages to attend the wedding in church.
The parish priest will explain the arrangements for completing the legal documentation.
Your Wedding Service at Holy Name
The wedding ceremony
You are invited to plan your wedding ceremony with the priest. You may choose the Scripture Readings, compile the Intercessions and select the hymns and music for your ceremony. The priest will be glad to help you to do this.
Depending on your circumstances, your marriage may be celebrated during a Nuptial Mass or through a wedding ceremony without Mass. The priest will discuss these options with you and help you decide which is most appropriate.
We encourage you to take an active part in preparing the ceremony so that it reflects the importance of the occasion and your commitment to each other.
Order of Service
You do not have to go to the expense of producing an Order of Service. However, if you would like one, the priest will be happy to advise and help with compiling it.
You may find this example of a Marriage Order of Service helpful when planning your ceremony.
We recommend discussing your proposed readings, prayers and music with the priest before having any Orders of Service printed.
Wedding rehearsal
We recommend that the wedding rehearsal takes place well in advance of the day of the service.
Only those directly involved in the ceremony are required to attend, such as the couple, witnesses, bridesmaids, best man and readers, but others are very welcome.
The rehearsal gives everyone an opportunity to become familiar with their part in the ceremony and to ask any final questions.
Music
The Catholic Church requires that music during the wedding ceremony should express the faith of the Church about marriage and be appropriate to the celebration.
You are welcome to choose the music and hymns for your ceremony, but we recommend that you do so in consultation with our resident Organist, who will be very happy to discuss your music requirements.
The playing of pre-recorded music for weddings is not allowed. Only live music is permitted in the church and, as stated above, it should express the faith of the Church and be appropriate to the celebration.
Our Organist
The Organist for weddings at Holy Name is Dr Gavin Hardy and he is expected to play for all weddings at Holy Name. His wedding fee is £150. He writes:
‘The music at your wedding service is one of the most important features of the day – I admit to being biased when I say that – and we are here to advise you and to make suggestions of the most suitable pieces you can have (remembering, of course, that it is your day and, as far as possible, we should be guided by you). I
f you require more than just the organ, we can offer an all-inclusive package for £350 which would include the organist (who will play music whilst the guests are arriving, the entrance procession, hymns during the service, signing of the civil registers, and triumphal exit procession), a professional trumpeter (who will play during the entrance and exit processions, with the organ, and during parts of the hymns) and a professional solo baritone (who will sing during the signing of the registers – a piece chosen, of course, after consultation with you).’
Dr Hardy will be happy to discuss your music requirements and you may contact him at gavin.hardy1@outlook.com
Flowers
You are welcome to engage a florist or flower arrangers of your choice.
Mrs Lorraine Lee, who oversees flower arranging at Holy Name, will be happy to advise you on this. She can be contacted at cricketmaddad@gmail.com.
We recommend discussing your plans for flowers and church decorations in advance so that the necessary arrangements can be made.
Photography, Recording and Livestreaming
You are welcome to discuss photography and video recording arrangements with the parish priest when planning your wedding.
If you intend to have a recording made of your wedding in the church, we will need to know that any necessary licences and permissions have been obtained. This is particularly important where the recording includes copyrighted music or performances by professional musicians.
If you are engaging a professional photographer or videographer, please ask them to discuss any practical requirements with the parish in advance.
Livestreaming your wedding
If you would like to livestream your wedding service through our YouTube channel, please discuss this with the priest.
This is an excellent way for family members and friends who are unable to attend in person to join with you on your special day.
Please contact the parish in advance to discuss the arrangements and any possibility of obtaining a recording afterwards.
Wedding Offerings and Administrative Fees
There is no fixed charge for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage at Holy Name. However, couples are warmly invited to make a voluntary offering towards the upkeep of the church and the work of the parish. All contributions, whatever the amount, are gratefully received and appreciated.
For couples marrying elsewhere who require the parish priest to prepare and forward their marriage documentation, a separate £50 administrative fee applies. This relates to the formal processing of Church paperwork and is distinct from any offering made to Holy Name.
Optional fees for the organist and any additional musicians are separate and are detailed below..
A Guide to Your Wedding Preparations
If both of you are free to marry in the Catholic Church, the following is the usual timetable:
- At least three months beforehand: Contact the Parish Office and meet the parish priest to agree a date and time for your wedding.
- Once your date is confirmed: Make the necessary legal arrangements with the Register Office.
- During your preparation: Take part in a Marriage Preparation Course.
- As early as possible: Contact the Church Organist to discuss your music.
- As early as possible: Contact the flower arrangers of your choice, if you wish to have flowers.
- In good time: Obtain up-to-date Baptism Certificates and any other documents requested by the priest.
- A few months beforehand: Complete the Prenuptial Enquiry with the priest.
- At least three months beforehand: Contact the priest to arrange your wedding liturgy, including Scripture readings, hymns, prayers and intercessions.
- At least two weeks beforehand: Arrange your wedding rehearsal with the priest and finalise your Order of Service, if you are having one.
- Before your wedding: Attend the rehearsal, check that all necessary legal documentation is in place and settle the wedding fees.
Please remember that this is a general guide. The parish priest will help you through the preparations and advise you if anything further is required.
Contact Us
If you are thinking of getting married at Holy Name, or would simply like to find out more, please get in touch.
We look forward to welcoming you to Holy Name and sharing in the joy of your wedding day.