The Sacrament of Marriage
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“The Sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to eternal life” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1661 We are delighted that you want to receive the sacrament of matrimony and to have your loved sealed, deepened and strengthened by God in the presence of the Church’s minister. We hope the following information will help you plan for this sacred moment in your life. Who can get married at Brentwood Cathedral? You must be free to marry. Those in irregular marital situations (e.g. civil divorce) must approach the parish priest in the first instance At least one partner must be a baptised Catholic and be resident in the Cathedral parish. Please make sure that you both register as parishioners Please Click Here to Register your Details If you are not resident in the parish but there is a very strong link to the parish, for example, you were raised in the parish and your parents are resident here. Please be aware that having attended one of the schools in the parish would not be considered as a strong link.
How to enquire about getting married at Brentwood Cathedral? Given the numbers of weddings at Brentwood Cathedral, we require at least six months notice of marriage in order to allow sufficient time for the preparation of couples and to complete the civil and religious paperwork. This also applies to couples who are getting married abroad. To arrange a meeting with the Cathedral Dean please contact the parish office or telephone 01277 265 235 or email at cathedralbrentwood@gmail.com What is marriage preparation? Couples spend a great deal of time preparing for their wedding day: what they will wear, who they will invite, reception venues and so on. In the same way, it is important that you fully understand the meaning of Christian marriage and have given proper time to reflect on it. What foundations will you build your married life on? As you are freely asking to get married in the Church and you will make sacred vows before God, the Church ask you to prepare for the sacrament of matrimony and Christian marriage. The two ways to do this are: If you are not already doing so, by coming as a couple to Sunday Mass. In this way, you are bringing your relationship to God and asking him to deepen and strengthen it. At the same time, you show that your request to receive the sacrament of matrimony is a serious one. By attending our marriage preparation sessions. Please book on to these sessions by contacting the parish office. The dates for these are: Sunday 4th December in the Cathedral parish hall 4.00 – 5.00 p.m. This preliminary meeting will explain some of the more practical issues that couples will need to think about. It is important that all couples who are getting married in 2023 attend this meeting. For couples getting married between February – July 2023 Saturday 4th February 9.30 – 11.00 a.m. in the Cathedral Parish Hall Session 1: What is the real meaning of marriage? Saturday 11th February 9.30 – 11.00 a.m. in the Cathedral Parish Hall Session 2: What happens at a wedding? For couples getting married between August – December 2023 Saturday 17th June 9.30 – 11.00 a.m. in the Cathedral Parish Hall Session 1: What is the real meaning of marriage? Saturday 24th June 9.30 – 11.00 a.m. in the Cathedral Parish Hall Session 2: What happens at a wedding? Blessing of all couples getting married at the 11.30 a.m. Mass on Sunday 12th February 2023. Family and friends are also welcome. Please put this date in your diary. Other useful information What documents will we need? For Catholics, a currently-dated baptismal certificate from the church where you were baptised. For christened non-Catholics, a copy of your certifcate A statutory declaration of freedom to marry for each party, notarised by a Commissioner for Oaths (Solicitor). The priest or deacon celebrating your wedding will supply you with a statutory declaration form. From your local Registry Office: Couples will need to give notice of their marriage to the local Register Office where they live. They must make sure that they do this in very good time. Once notice is given, they will be given a Marriage Schedule in advance of the wedding. This must be given to the priest or deacon as soon as the couple receive it. This can be done either in person or by posting it through the door of Clergy House in a clearly marked envelope. A £50 cheque, made payable to “Brentwood Cathedral Parish”, for marriage paperwork that will involve the Chancery of the diocese, such as a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian, or a non-baptised person, or a marriage ceremony outside the diocese. This is to cover administration costs for the Diocese of Brentwood. Readings at your wedding Please choose one or two readers who will read your scripture choices with confidence, sincerity, and clarity. All readings must be from the Bible. Here is a selection of possible texts for you to consider: Scripture readings for Catholic Weddings
Music at your wedding Please note that only SACRED MUSIC can be used at weddings. There are no facilities to play recorded or downloaded music. An organ bridal march Two or three hymns that your family and friends will recognise and sing Possibly a solo choral piece to be sung by a member of the Cathedral choir during the signing of the marriage schedule
In order to maintain the high standard of music in the Cathedral parish, the Cathedral Music Department normally provides the organist and any soloist or singers requested for a wedding. The Cathedral Music Department must be informed of musical choices at least two months before your wedding day. For any further information or advice about music please contact the Master of Music, Andrew Wright, by email music@dioceseofbrentwood.org Flowers The flower arrangements must be from our dedicated florist. Roisin Cassels and her team are responsible for all flower arrangements in the church. You may ring her on 07845 120310. The fee for flower arrangement is £60 and the amount you wish to spend on flowers is up to you. Confetti The use of confetti of any kind is not permitted either inside or outside the church. Photographers After the marriage ceremony, you are free to take photos outside and inside the Cathedral. The use of drones is totally prohibited.
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