Getting Married at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle
We are delighted that you are considering getting married at Christ Church Cathedral. The cathedral will provide a beautiful setting for this very important occasion in your life. The decisions, promises and commitment you will make will be binding upon you for life, and in coming to the church for marriage, you are asking God to be part of your marriage. Be assured of the church’s prayers for you as you make your preparations. As part of those preparations we invite you to join us regularly for worship. You are most welcome at any of our services: on Sunday at 7am, 8am or 9:30am or Evensong at 6pm or for the Family Service (Third Sunday of the month at 11.30am).
If you would like to get married at Christ Church Cathedral please contact the parish office (02 4929 2052; deanery@hunterlink.net.au) to check that the date is available and to pay your deposit. We will arrange for you to attend one of our marriage planning and preparation mornings. These meetings are relaxed and not formal, usually about four couples come. There is an introductory talk about weddings at the cathedral, time to ask questions, you will sign the Notice of Intended Marriage Form 13 and start to plan the service with one of the clergy. The clergy can give suggestions about readings and music and can also advise you on the cathedral’s policy relating to photography and video- recording. The morning finishes with a light lunch (which is provided) at the Deanery.
Relationship Enrichment
The Diocese of Newcastle recommends Prepare, a programme that enriches relationships. Prepare aims to highlight a couple’s strengths and weaknesses, and to enhance communication skills. For further information please consult the Prepare-Enrich Australia website
What the Church requires
Baptism: at least one of you must be baptised. Baptism preparation is available where neither of you has been baptised.
Legal Requirements
All official and legal documentation is arranged by the clergy who will celebrate your marriage. You will need to show original birth certificates to the officiating clergy.
Fees
A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required as soon as you request a date for your wedding service. Unless this deposit is paid, the time and date of your wedding is not secured.
The Cathedral’s Basic Wedding Fee is currently $1201.50 (GST included). This is a package-fee which includes the preparation of legal documents, the preparation of the building by the verger, and the celebrant, the Organist and the flowers. There will be additional charges if you choose to have a choir, extra flowers or personalised Orders of Service for your wedding.
In the months prior to your wedding you will be sent a tax invoice. This must be paid prior to your wedding.
Wedding fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change for future years.