Get Married in One of Australia’s most Beautiful Churches 

One of Australia’s most magnificent churches, the Divine Mercy Shrine is a place of heritage and a beautiful option for a wedding ceremony. With its striking exterior design and towering presence, the Divine Mercy Shrine is a beautiful example of European Christian dome architecture. Inside, your ceremony will take place at the foot of the Altar, beneath the huge Church dome. This Shrine has plenty of room for a large bridal party and sufficient seating for an influx of guests.

 “Love that leads to marriage is a gift from God and  a great act of faith toward other human beings.”

– St. John Paul II

Sacrament of Marriage

Our congratulations go out to you on your decision to get married. This is an exciting time for you, and we are pleased that you have chosen Divine Mercy Shrine as your ‘big day’ venue. However, there are some rules to follow, both set by the Church and the State – they cannot be ignored.

You can download frequently asked questions about “Getting Marrried in the Catholic Church” here.

Couples marrying in the Catholic Church must contact the Parish Priest or Parish Office and make a Church booking for the wedding. There will usually be a booking fee.  They should ideally give six months’ notice.  Couples may have their own Catholic Priest to prepare them and to celebrate their wedding or they may request the Parish Priest to do this. The Priest will request that they complete an approved Marriage Education Course. He will also arrange some meetings to provide additional instruction and complete the necessary paper work.

These are some basic guidelines you need to follow:

Before meeting your Priest, you must obtain at least three forms

• A copy of your Birth Certificate
• A copy of your Baptismal Certificate
• A copy of your Confirmation Certificate

Pre-nuptial Enquiry

1 The Pre-nuptial enquiry (informally known as ‘wedding papers’) is carried out in the parish where the person has domicile (resident for at least six months) or quasi-domicile (resident for at least three months).

2 The Pre-nuptial enquiry is carried out in the form of a personal interview between the person and the priest.

3 It is essential that the Pre-nuptial enquiry be initiated no later than three months prior to the proposed date of marriage.

4 The Wedding Ceremony usually takes place in the parish church of the bride.

5 In the case of a mixed marriage, the forms of the baptised non-catholic or non-baptised person should be completed in the parish of the catholic party.

Inter Church Marriage

When a Catholic wishes to marry a Christian of another denomination they must ask for a dispensation from their local bishop. The granting of this dispensation is dependent upon the promise of the Catholic party to ensure that their future children will be baptised in the Catholic Church and brought up in the faith. This promise is also by all Catholic couples.

In the event of the marriage ceremony being held in the church of another denomination it is necessary to ask for a dispensation of Form, that is permission to be married by the rites of another church. Again this permission is granted by the diocesan bishop.

Inter Faith Marriage

When a Catholic wishes to marry a Christian of another denomination in the Catholic Church, they will need to complete an application through the Priest for a dispensation to marry in the Catholic Church. The granting of this dispensation is dependent upon the promise of the Catholic party, to bring their children up in the Catholic Faith. The non-Catholic Party must be made aware of this promise.