st elizabeth's
Weddings
St. Elizabeth’s, where lasting memories are made in a setting that blends spiritual significance with historical elegance
Minsteracres
Wedding Enquiries
Should you wish to explore the possibility of getting married at St. Elizabeth’s, please speak with Fr Emmanuel either personally after Mass or arrange an appointment to meet with him through the Retreat Centre Office. Please note that initial bookings for the celebration of marriage cannot be made over the phone or by email.
To celebrate the sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church, at least one partner must be a Roman Catholic and both must be free to marry. Either during your initial or at a subsequent meeting with Fr Emmanuel and if it is possible for you to marry in the Catholic Church, a date for your marriage will be set. Please note, weddings are not held at St. Elizabeth’s on Sundays.
You should begin making enquiries at least six months before your intended wedding date. We strongly recommend that you contact the church before planning your wedding reception venue.
Weddings at St Elizabeths
Things You will need to Provide
- Proof of Freedom to Marry for both parties. There are options available for this which will be discussed during the marriage preparation process.
- Details of the place of Baptism for the Roman Catholic party, and, if applicable, a copy of the baptism certificate for the non-Catholic party. If the non-Catholic party is not baptised, this requirement does not apply.
- Proof of completion, by both parties, of an approved Marriage Preparation course – see below
Weddings at St Elizabeths
Legal Considerations
You are required by Civil Law to register your intention to marry at a Register Office. We recommend that you give notice as soon as possible after you have confirmed the date of your wedding with the priest although this should be no sooner than 12 months before your intended wedding.
To do this you will need to make an appointment with the appropriate Register Office. Click here for information on how to register in Northumberland or visit your own local authority web site.
St Elizabeth’s has its own Appointed Persons so it is not usually necessary for a Registrar of Marriages to attend your ceremony in the church
Weddings at St. Elizabeth's
Marriage Preparation
Your wedding day should be the culmination of significant prayer and reflection. To support you in this, you will both be required to attend an approved Marriage Preparation course. There is a modest donation fee for participation, which attendees are expected to pay. These sessions are conducted throughout the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, and normally at least one session per year is held within the Heavenfield Partnership.
Church
Flowers
The Minsteracres Flower Team are able to provide flowers for your wedding.
We have many years of experience arranging flowers for many occasions in this beautiful Church.
We can arrange flowers in the Sanctuary around the beautiful marble statue of Our Lady and around the Tabernacle, around the interior and exterior arches which provide very attractive photo opportunities. We can also provide pew ends which can be taken to the reception venue.
We have photos of our former arrangements.
We are very flexible and can work to any budget.