By deciding to marry you place yourselves under the requirements of
the Commonwealth Marriage Act.
By choosing to be married in church you also accept the requirements
of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Perth.
Marriage is a voluntary commitment to the lifelong union of a man
and woman to the exclusion of others. Marriage is also a sacrament
where the couples receive God's help to be able to share fulfilled
lives together.
Legal Requirements
Marriageable Age: The minimum age is 18 years for a male and
16 for a female. Permission to marry where one partner is under this
age can be given by a magistrate, in exceptional circumstances.
Consent Forms: For those under 18 years, consent forms must
be filled in between one and three months before the marriage,
signed by parents and witnessed by a JP.
Notices: A 'Notice of Intention to Marry" (blue form) must be
filled in at least one month before the marriage.
Proof of Age: Original Birth Certificates must be provided.
Witnesses: There must be at least two witnesses, aged 18 or
over, who can be male or female, related or unrelated.
Prohibited relationships: There are three main reasons a
person cannot marry. A person cannot marry an ancestor or
descendant, or brother or sister. A couple cannot marry if they are
both below the marriageable age. A couple cannot marry if either is
already legally married.
Church Requirements
Making Arrangements: When deciding on a date for the wedding,
it is important to contact the Parish Office before making other
arrangements, as the church may be booked already, or a priest
unavailable. Weddings are not permitted in Holy Week (the six days
before Easter).
Marriage Preparation: All couples are asked to attend a
Marriage Preparation Course, usually with a Priest, prior to the
wedding.
Flowers: Couples make their own arrangements. The Parish can
help, if required.
Music: The regular church organist can play for weddings.
Hymns and solos must be discussed with the priest.
Donation: There is no set fee. There may be other costs, such
as for an organist (~$70), flowers in the church (~$50),
photocopying the order of service (~20c per page) and the cost of
the 'Prepare' questionnaire (~$200). These people should be paid
directly by the couple. Couples are encouraged to make a significant
thank offering which will help to meet the ongoing costs of running
the Parish. Most couples give a donation in the order of $300 to
$600 to cover administration costs and for the use of the church.
Printing of Service: The Parish can assist with this, with a
contribution to cover costs.
Photographers: One official photographer is permitted in
church. He or she should attend the rehearsal if possible or make
arrangements with the priest beforehand.
Ushers: Ushers (preferably two) are required to welcome and
assist.
Confetti: Throwing of confetti in the church or grounds is
not permitted, as it is too difficult to clean up.
Readings suitable for weddings
One or more readings from the list can be chosen, but usually not
more than one from each section. Some readings can be shortened.
You can also include suitable non-Biblical readings in your service.
Matthew 5:1-12; 7:21-29; 22:35-40.
John 2:1-11; 15:9-12 and/or 12-16.
Hymns suitable for weddings
Hymns and songs must be appropriate for the occasion. This selection
is a guide to commonly used hymns and songs.
The Australian Hymn Book.
Christ is the heavenly food (for Holy Communion) 445
Come down, O love divine 310
Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly dove 311.
Fairest Lord Jesus 131.
Father, hear the prayer we offer 510.
For the beauty of the earth 77.
God be in my head 456.
Happy the home that welcomes you. 495.
Lord of all hopefulness 546.
Love divine, all loves excelling 148
Morning has broken 91.
Now we thank we all our God 14
O God, from whom all mankind derives its name 566.
O Holy Spirit, Lord of Grace 312.
O Jesus, King most wonderful 125.
O perfect love 526.
Our God, be gracious unto us 117.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven 68.
Sing a new Song 102.
The King of love my shepherd is 81.
The Lord's my Shepherd 16.
Lord of Creation 557.
Sing Alleluia
As man and woman we were made 7.
Brother, sister, let me serve you 12.
He is the way 44.
Our father, by whose name all fatherhood is known 71
Where love and kindness dwell 95.
Songs of Praise
A new commandment 12.
Bind us together, Lord 185.
Freely, freely 41.
Holy, holy 94.
Jehovah Jireh 184.
Seek ye first 96.
Take our bread (for Holy Communion) 25.
The Prayer of St. Francis 196.
We are one in the bond of love 134.
