Marriages

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The following information is intended to answer practical questions concerning the arrangement of your wedding at St Benedict’s. Please read it carefully so that there is no confusion about your use of the parish church of St Benedict’s.

Marriage celebrant
Couples who are not parishioners need to arrange for their own Catholic priest or deacon. A definite booking will not be taken until these details are provided. We are able to assist with advice about possible celebrants.

Bookings
The sacrament is normally celebrated on Saturdays, between 10.00–11.00 a.m. or 2.00–3.00 p.m. Enquiries about bookings can be made by phone. Bookings can be confirmed only on the completion of the application form obtained from General Enquiries.

Preparation
Before you begin planning your wedding, we would strongly encourage you to take part in a marriage preparation programme. Programmes are available through:

• Centacare, Sydney, tel. (02) 9390 5377
• Centacare, Parramatta, tel. (02) 9630 7788
• Centacare, Broken Bay, tel. (02) 9485 3010

Offerings and bookings
Unless you are a parishioner, you are invited to make a donation of $500 towards the ongoing maintenance of this historic church. Please forward your donation with the booking form within two weeks from the time of the booking to:

This donation does not include the usual offering for the marriage celebrant, which is a personal gift from the couple to the celebrant. It covers travelling expenses, marriage preparation, planning for the ceremony and legal documentation. A gift of $150–200 would be appropriate.

Seating and parking
Permanent seating allows for 150. Space is available for additional temporary seating in the church. Only cars for the bridal party and for the disabled may park in the church grounds. Guests can park in the surrounding streets or at the nearby Broadway Shopping Centre, which allows free parking for under 3 hours.

Wedding rehearsals
Rehearsals may be held for one hour at 6.00 or 7.00 p.m. on an agreed night.

Pipe organ and bells
The St Benedict’s organ, dating from 1880, is one of the historic organs of New South Wales. Only the parish organist or a person approved by him may be engaged. It is your responsibility to contact the Parish Organist. This can be arranged through the secretary.
The church has a set of six bells, the oldest on the Australian mainland. Should you wish to have the bells rung for your wedding, you should contact the Captain of the Bell Tower through the secretary. The fees paid to the organist, bell-ringers and any other musicians are not included in the church booking.

Confetti
Please note that confetti, rice or petals may not be used in the church and its grounds.

Flowers and decorations
Floral arrangements are welcome and are the responsibility of those being married. We request that you leave one arrangement for the main altar after the wedding, to share with our parishioners at the Sunday mass. Be sure to arrange for the church to be open for floral delivery or pew decoration. This will be done by the duty security officer contacted during the previous week through General Enquiries.

Photography
Photographers are welcome to take photographs discretely and without intrusion in the main body of the church. No cameras or equipment are permitted in the marble sanctuary area of the church.

Security
Please ensure that all vehicles are locked and valuables kept out of view. St Benedict’s will not be responsible for any loss or damage due to criminal activity.