WEDDING CELEBRATIONS IN
THE PARISH OF KILLARNEY
ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL
THE CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION
CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, MUCKROSS
Congratulations to you on your engagement! We hope that the
following information will be helpful to you in preparation for
your wedding. As from November 5th 2007, new legal
requirements come into effect for those getting married, while
the Church requirements remain the same.
The three important civil changes are:
1. The couple take greater responsibility for the civil
registration of their marriage.
2. The couple make a declaration of no civil impediment
3. Priests in order to officiate at a marriage, must be on the
‘List of Solemnisers’ submitted by each local Bishop to
the Registrar General
WHAT THE COUPLE MUST DO:
 Book the church you wish to marry in, at least three
months in advance. The Parish Office will advise how to
do this.
 Meet any civil registrar in person to give notice of your
intention to marry. This meeting must take place at least 3
months before the wedding in order to comply with the
civil requirement. The couple will need to know that the
church is available prior to this meeting and they will also
need to know the name of the priest who will solemnise
the marriage.
 When all the civil requirements have been completed
satisfactorily the couple will receive the Marriage
Registration Form (MRF) from the registrar. Without this
form the couple cannot get married nor may the
solemniser proceed with the marriage ceremony.
 A Pre- Nuptial Enquiry Form must be filled by each of the
couple. The bride will need to make an appointment with
the priest in charge of the Parish where she lives, and the
groom’s form is completed by the priest of his parish.
 Present the MRF to the solemniser as early as convenient
before the wedding.
 Make the verbal declaration of no civil impediment not
more than 2 days before the wedding in the presence of the
solemniser and the two witnesses. It is recommended
practice that this declaration be made at the beginning of
the wedding, when the bride and groom arrive at the
sanctuary.
 Return the signed MRF to any civil registrar not later than
1 month after the wedding.
OTHER POINTS TO NOTE:
 All couples are most welcome to celebrate their
marriage in any of our three churches. Parishioners are
asked to make arrangements with regards to papers etc,
with the priest of their area in the Parish.
 Couples outside of the Parish should get their papers
from their own Parish, and normally are expected to
make arrangements for their wedding celebration with a
priest of their own. However, in the event that you need
a priest, please contact the Parish Office and we may be
able to facilitate you.
 A non-refundable offering of €170.00 for Parishioners
of Killarney or €265.00 for couples not from the Parish
is payable to Killarney Parish Office, when booking
the wedding. This includes a fee for the Sacristan, who
will assist you with your rehearsal and at your wedding
ceremony, however this fee does not include the
donation to the priest for celebrating your wedding
Mass.
 The ceremony is prepared with the priest who will
celebrate the wedding.
 The proposed music and lyrics must be approved by the
Director of Music at the Parish Office in advance.
 Flowers and plants should be used with discretion and
discussed with the Parish Clerk. As each of the
churches are beautiful, flowers need only be used
sparingly. Artificial flowers and arches are not allowed.
Because of insurance purposes, we ask people not to
use candles outside the altar.
 A video recording / photography of the ceremony is
permitted on the understanding that the photographer /
video technician is dressed becomingly and will remain
outside the sanctuary, and is in a position which will not
cause distraction or disrupt the ceremony.
 No rice, confetti or anything else may be tossed in the
church grounds.
 Out of consideration for all concerned the bride should
be present on time as delay inconveniences everybody.
Finally enjoy your special day.
For further information please contact:
Parish Office, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Tel: (00353) 64 6631014 Fax 00353 64 6631148
E-mail killarneycathedral@eircom.net
Parish Office Hours Monday – Saturday 10.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
May the peace of Christ
ever dwell in your new home;
May the angels of God protect it,
And may the family of Nazareth
be your model and inspiration.