Weddings

St Michael's Parish is pleased to welcome both local Parishioners and visitors to our beautiful Church to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. Below you will find some important information as you begin planning the celebration of this important sacrament.

1. Find a Priest

Visiting couples wishing to be married at St Michael's are required to contact their local Catholic priest or deacon to celebrate their wedding. Those residing in the boundaries of the Parish are invited to make contact with the Parish Priest at Sunday Mass to begin discussions about their marriage preparation (at least 6 months in advance).

2. Save the Date

Dates and times are flexible at St Michael's. Reach out to us with your suggested date and time so we can check availability for you.

Bookings will only be considered secured with a payment of a 50% deposit 3 months prior to the date of the wedding and the completion of the Booking Form (see below)

3. Complete your paperwork

Your celebrant will assist you with the following paperwork:

Pre Nuptial Enquiry

Full birth certificates

Certificate of baptism (for Catholics and other Christians)

Freedom to marry form from local priest (for Catholics)

Evidence of dissolution/nullity (for the civilly divorced)

Photo ID (Australian drivers' license/passport)

4. Marriage Preparation

A marriage preparation program is an integral part of preparing for your wedding. The Archdiocese of Melbourne requires every wedding couple to complete a certified preparation course before a Catholic priest or deacon may witness their marriage.

If your celebrant is a visiting priest or deacon, then you need to return your paperwork to him and arrange a marriage preparation course with him.

St Michael's strongly encourages couples to make use of the wonderful course offered locally at St Mary's in West Melbourne. For more information about this course can be found online Transformed In Love course overview. Bookings can be made by contacting St Mary's Parish West Melbourne directly.

5. On Your Wedding Day

Music

Music played at weddings must respect the sacred environment and the religious nature of a church wedding and thus, be sacred/religious. Secular (i.e. non-religious) and recorded music (e.g. CDs, backing tracks) are not permitted at St. Michael's under any circumstances.

Photography/Video

It is acceptable to photograph and/or video your ceremony as long as this is done in a respectful manner, and you are most welcome to use the front grounds of the church and presbytery for photographs after your wedding.

Arrival time

It is a matter of courtesy to your guests and to those involved in the ceremony that your wedding begins and ends as scheduled.

Fees - $1000

The church payment provides for the use of the church for one and a half hours (plus rehearsal for 30 minutes in the week prior)

Please note this fee does not include the offering made to the celebrant to assist you with your marriage preparation and celebrate your ceremony.

The final payment must be made to St Michael's at least one month before the wedding.