In the Southwark Diocese it is necessary for couples wanting to get married to contact their priest six months ahead of their intended wedding date. This is to allow sufficient time for them to attend the obligatory Marriage Preparation Course and also for the clergy to complete the necessary paperwork. Our priests would prefer to be given a year to complete the paperwork and suggest that couples do not set a date for their wedding until they have spoken to a priest. Once you have decided to get married please email the Parish Office with your names and address and a preliminary marriage application form will be sent to you plus an enrolment form for the Marriage Preparation Course.
If you intend to get married at a church other than St Edmund’s our clergy are still responsible for all the paperwork. As a growing number of our parishioners were born outside the UK we will need to obtain documentation from their previous parishes. This can take some considerable time. There is also extra work to be completed for those who are having their ceremony abroad or for those who have had a previous marriage.
So, in short, as soon as you decide to get married, please start the ball rolling by contacting the Parish Office.