Preparation for Marriage
Only Catholic weddings are celebrated at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, so at least the bride or the bridegroom must be a baptised Catholic (or have been subsequently received into full communion with the Catholic Church). In the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, twelve months’ notice is required. During this year, you will need to complete your paperwork and preparation.
To all who are planning weddings at St. Joan of Arc Church, please contact the church first before booking your reception venue. Contact Father Simon, simon.dray@abdiocese.org.uk or email parish secretary farnham@abdiocese.org.uk
If either of the couple has been married before, please do not set a date for the wedding before speaking to Fr. Simon. It is likely that a referral will need to be made to the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal – and this will take time and discernment.
For Catholic(s) resident in the geographical parish of St Joan of Arc, Farnham:
Please make an appointment to see Fr. Simon to begin your paperwork and preparation. As well as your meetings with Fr. Simon, you will be required to take part in the Diocesan Marriage Course which runs twice a year. You will need to make an appointment with the Surrey Registry Office to obtain your Marriage Schedule. No Marriage Schedule = no wedding taking place.
[You still need to see Fr. Simon if you are planning on marrying in another Catholic Church.]
For Catholic(s) resident outside the geographical parish of St Joan of Arc, Farnham:
Please make an appointment to see Fr. Simon to discuss whether the use of St Joan’s is appropriate for your wedding. Once we have established that St Joan’s is suitable for your wedding, please also make an appointment with your proper parish priest – this will be the priest of the Catholic Church in which you live and is not necessarily the parish which you attend. Your proper parish priest will ensure that your paperwork and preparation is completed and sent on to Farnham via the Chancery Offices of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton and where necessary, the Diocese in which you live.
No paperwork = no wedding taking place. You will also need to make an appointment with the Surrey Registry Office to obtain your Marriage Schedule. Again, no Marriage Schedule = no wedding taking place.
Fees and / or Offerings
1) For Farnham parishioners & parishioners of a Catholic Church within the Guildford Catholic Deanery (e.g. Ash, Heath End, Guildford, Godalming, Haslemere, Cranleigh):
To Fr. Simon: a donation according to your means.
To the Parish: a donation according to your means.
To the authorised person: £180.00
To the organist: as agreed with them
2) For Catholics who are resident outside of the Parish of Farnham or the Catholic Deanery of Guildford but who:
a) Have an historical connect to the Parish of Farnham (e.g. parish of birth, family living in the parish, attended St Polycarp’s, All Hallows, More House, or other explainable and agreed connection):
To Fr. Simon: a donation according to your means.
To the Parish: a donation according to your means.
To the authorised person: £180.00
To the organist: as agreed with them
b) Have no historical or explainable connection to the Parish of Farnham:
To Fr. Simon: £150.00
To the Parish: £400.00
To the authorised person: £180.00
To the organist: as agreed with them.
Can I bring my own Catholic Priest or Deacon to celebrate the wedding?
With Fr. Simon’s agreement, you may bring your own parish / family priest or deacon. They must supply their ‘celebrate’ or letter from their Chancellor attesting to their suitability to officiate. [NB: Deacons can only preside at Wedding Services, they cannot celebrate Mass.
When and what time can I have my wedding?
The time of the service will need to fit in with the everyday Pastoral and Liturgical life of the Parish and may also depend on whether it is a Nuptial Mass or a Wedding Service.
Sundays – No weddings, as our Mass schedule does not allow extra services.
Monday – any reasonable time can be discussed with Fr. Simon.
Tuesday – no later than 12 noon.
Wednesday – No weddings, as the Church is closed.
Thursday – no earlier than 12 noon.
Friday – any reasonable time can be discussed with Fr. Simon.
Saturday – 12 noon or 1pm only.