Planning your Marriage
Setting the Date
Once you have decided to get married, the first question is
the date. Please make sure that the Church is free on your chosen
date before confirming with the Hotel. Make your booking in good
time with one of the priests. He will give you on send a booking
form and an information page. The minimum notice required by the
Church is three months, but it is very advisable to give more
time than that. Make sure you complete the wedding booking form
(pink sheet) and return to one of the Priests with your booking
fee to confirm your wedding date. The booking is NOT CONFIRMED
until this form is fully completed and returned to one of the
Priests of the Parish.
The Presbytery, Turner's Cross, Cork.
Parish Mobile: 087 2610276
Notify the Registrar
The Civil Law now requires the couple to attend together
personally at the Civil Registrar's Office at least three
months before the wedding to give notice of their intention to
marry, and to receive the marriage registration form to bring to
the priest. After the wedding , this form, now signed, will be
given to the couple to return to the Registrar. The office is
located at Adelaide Court, Adelaide St., Cork Tel.
021-4275126
Pre-Marriage Course
Since you are entering a marriage which you want to last for
life, a time of reflection and preparation is time well spent.
This is why it is necessary to take part in a pre-marriage
course. Please book a place on such courses a year in advance of
the wedding date. Courses are available in the following
centers:
The Family Centre, 34 Paul St., Cork (Tel. 021/4275678).
N.A.O.M.I., 119 Patrick St., Cork (Tel. 021/4272213) 9am-1pm
Engaged Encounter (Tel. 021/4357571).
Church Papers
Both bride and groom need to get the following papers:
- Baptismal Certificate from the Church where you were
baptised, issued within 6 months of the wedding date.
- If your Baptismal Certificate does not contain a record of
your Confirmation, then a Confirmation Certificate from the
Church where you were confirmed will be necessary.
- Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form: make an appointment with the
priest of your parish to fill out this form.
- Letter(s) of Freedom: if you have lived in a parish other
than your present one for a period of six months or more since
reaching the age of 18, a letter of freedom from that parish
will be needed.
- Certificate of attendance at a pre-marriage course.
Celebrant
If you have a relative or friend who is a priest or deacon and
who you would like to officiating at your wedding, he will be
most welcome. Please inform your local priest of this at your
first meeting. Otherwise, one of the priests of the parish will
officiate. If you come from other Parishes to marry in Christ the
King, Turner's Cross arrange to have your own priest to officiate
at your wedding. Priests from outside the Diocese of Cork &
Ross must forward a copy of their 'Celebret' to the Parish
Priest. (this is a Diocesan rule)
Papal Blessing
Some couples like to have a blessing from the Pope on the
occasion of their marriage. If you wish to get one, a special
form is available to be signed by your priest, which you take to
the Roman House (North Main St.) or to Veritas (Carey's Lane)
where you choose the type of parchment you want. This can take up
to 10 weeks to organise.
Flowers
They should be tasteful not over done, No flowers on carpet.
Attachments should not damage the Church seats - no pins or
cellotape. There is beauty in simplicity. Contact your florist
and the Church Sacristan. No confetti or rice allowed in the
Church or Church grounds.
Music
Music and hymns add joy to your wedding. There is an approved
list of music and hymns for marriage ceremonies. Talk to your
priest about this.
Videos & Photography
These record your special day. The taking of photographs and
video recording must be unobtrusive and not distracting to you,
your guests or the priest.
Signing the Register
The register to be signed is the Civil Register and is not
part of the Church ceremony. It is recommended that it be signed
at a table in the Sanctuary or in the Sacristy after the ceremony
has ended.
Marriage Overseas
Those who wish to get married overseas should contact their
local priest and civil authorities well in advance of the date,
as there will be some extra paper-work to be completed for Church
and Civil ceremonies.
Mixed Marriages
If your proposed partner is not Catholic, permission for a
mixed marriage will be needed from the Bishop. Contact your local
priest in good time. He will guide you on this.
The Marriage Ceremony
The Marriage Ceremony is the most important part of the day.
We recommend that the couple and the priest who is to officiate
at the ceremony meet well in advance of the wedding to discuss
and plan the ceremony together. There are two kinds of Marriage
Service. One is where the Marriage Promises are made during Mass
the other is where the Promises are made at a special service
without Mass but in the Church. The choice should be made in the
light of the faith circumstances of both parties. Talk this
decision over with the priest who is to officiate.
See also Cork & Ross Dioceses marriage
information and www.gettingmarried.ie