I have looked into your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near your heart.

- Pope John XXIII

Congratulations on your decision to get married!  We wish you every blessing as you prepare for this very important step in your life.  We are here to offer you any support we can.  The following are some practical details that may be of assistance to you.

CIVIL REQUIREMENTS: You must make an appointment with any Civil Registrar to give notice of your intention to marry. This meeting must take place at least three months before the date of your wedding in order to comply with the civil requirement. The registrar’s office will let you know what you need to bring with you.When all the civil requirements have been completed satisfactorily, you will receive a Marriage Registration Form (MRF) from the Registrar.  You will need to have this form in your possession at the wedding ceremony. If you forget to give this notice three months in advance then you will have to go to the Circuit Family Court for an exemption. Contact details:Registry Office, Adelaide Street, Cork. Tel: 021- 4275126

CHURCH DOCUMENTATION: The following documents are required if you would like to be married in Church:

1. Pre-Nuptial Inquiry Form. The priest in the parish of your normal residence will fill this up with you.

2. If your place of baptism was elsewhere, you will need to get a Baptismal Certificate from your church of baptism (this certificate must be issued within six months of your marriage).

3. Letter of Freedom in some cases. Consult the priest doing your papers about this.

4. In the case where either the bride or groom is not Catholic, a dispensation will be needed. The priest will organise this for you. Situations vary from couple to couple. It would be impossible to cover everything. It is best to contact your local priest six months ahead of your wedding date and he will advise you on the documents needed in your case.

Pre-Marriage Courses:   Couples are required by Church authorities to take part in a pre- marriage course. It is advisable to book your course as early as possible. The following organisations are approved by the Diocese of Cork and Ross.Cork Marriage Counselling Centre, 34 Paul Street, Cork. Tel. 021 4272277, N.A.O.M.I. 119 Patrick Street, Cork. Tel: 021 4272213

Catholic Engaged Encounter Tel. 021-357571, 021-353908, 021-304070.

Which kind of Liturgy?:  There are two kinds of Marriage Liturgy. One is where the Marriage Promises are made during Mass. The other is where the Promises are made at a special Liturgy but without Mass. The choice of Liturgy should be made in the light of the personal faith circumstances of both parties. Most Catholics will choose to make their Marriage Promises at a nuptial Mass. However, when one is not Roman Catholic, or a non-believer, the wedding liturgy without Mass may be more appropriate. It is important to talk this decision over with the priest who will officiate.

The Church Ceremony: This needs to be discussed in detail with the officiating priest.

Photographs and Video Recording:  The making of a video and the taking of photographs is no problem so long as it does not take from the sacredness of the ceremony. If you intend printing a booklet for your wedding, it is advisable to have it checked over with the priest who will officiate. Readings should always be from the bible. Samples are available. The music for your wedding must be suited to the dignity of the occasion.

There is no fee for the use of the church if the bride is a parishioner; if you live outside the parish please check with the secretary in the parish office to ascertain the current fee. It is customary to give a voluntary offering to the priest who celebrates your marriage. For attendance at rehearsal and wedding ceremony the Sacristan should be appropriately remunerated. If neither party of the wedding is from the parish it is presumed the couple will invite a priest from their own parish, a relative or a friend, to officiate. The documentation required will be attended to by the priest in the home parish and forwarded to Frankfield/Grange. The priest in the home parish should be contacted several months before the wedding date. In the case where you invite a priest relative or friend to officiate at your wedding, he must produce a current Celebret from his bishop or superior to the parish clergy. Please inform him of this regulation.

Papal Blessing:  If you wish to receive a Papal Blessing, you can organise it through Veritas on Carey’s Lane, Cork or at The Roman House on North Main Street, Cork. Organise it well in advance of date.

Baptismal, confirmation and marriage certificates in this parish can only be requested at the parish office and issued by the parish secretary.

Parish Clergy: 

gettingmarried.ie: is a website that will be of assistance to those who are planning and preparing for marriage.