Weddings at St Patrick's Cathedral

St Patrick's Cathedral is available for weddings on Saturdays at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm.
The Cathedral can also offer weddings on Fridays and Sundays on request and any other days only if available.
On Friday and Sunday the times available are 2pm and 4pm only.

Any Catholic priest or deacon registered as a Marriage Celebrant in Australia may officiate.

Cathedral priests are available. Any priest who does not have the faculties of the Archdiocese of Melbourne must submit the requisite warranties to the Vicar General’s Office, and forward a copy of the permission to the Cathedral at least one month prior to the wedding.

Yes, the Archdiocese requests that couples undertake an approved marriage counselling course prior to their wedding. These programs are designed to open up many issues which contribute to a successful and happy marriage. Your celebrant will guide you in your choice. Here are a few options available to you through the Archdiocese.

A Wedding Ceremony is when only one party is Catholic or both are Catholic but do not wish for a Nuptial Mass.
A Nuptial Mass is generally only possible when both parties are Catholic.

A Wedding Ceremony or Nuptial Mass is the official liturgy of the Church and must be in accord with The Order of Celebrating Matrimony approved for use in Australia (2015). Therefore readings must be scriptural. It is normally expected that a couple will print an order of service booklet to encourage guests to participate in the service. The Cathedral Office will provide you with a template.

Yes, one professional photographer and one professional video camera operator may take formal photographs of your wedding in the Cathedral.
They must sign a Protocol Agreement to comply with Cathedral practice.
Please note that artificial lighting/flash photography/flood lighting is not permitted in the Cathedral.

In consistent with child safety and vulnerable adult’s policies of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, we ask that all photographers & videographers at weddings produce a Working With Children Check in order to be permitted to operate in the cathedral.

If you currently have a WWCC, kindly scan and email the WWCC to cathedral@cam.org.au at least one week prior to the wedding. This applies to all personnel from your firm who will be attending for photography or videography purposes.

If you do not have a WWCC, kindly apply for one immediately, and scan the receipt of application, and later, the WWCC.

The Cathedral Office will retain records of all those who have presented their WWCC so that in future, you will only need to inform the office of the date of your attendance at the Cathedral.
Any new members of staff will need to present a WWCC before being permitted to film.

These measures are to ensure that we all comply with the Victorian Child Safety Standards and I am sure you join us in being fully committed to child safety.

It is your responsibility that you have a valid WWCC and on obtaining a renewed WWCC we ask that you notify us at your earliest convenience.

https://www.vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check

Music for weddings in the Cathedral is provided by Cathedral musicians, who are familiar with the Liturgy of the Word and other requirements.
Musicians who are not part of the Cathedral staff are not permitted to sing or play at weddings in the Cathedral.

The Cathedral organ is played at all weddings, including the entrance and exit music.

When choosing your organ, pieces that are played on entrance and exit, please note there are prescribed pieces that are played by the Cathedral Organist.
These are available on the music information document.

If you would like to have a singer at your wedding, a Cathedral vocalist can sing during the Signing of the Register and, if you are having a Nuptial Mass,
at Communion.
The Cathedral Schola (Professional Choir) is available upon request for wedding celebrations.

For full music regulations and procedures, please email wedding.music@cam.org.au.
The email includes the musical choices available to you.
Secular love songs are not appropriate, and portable keyboards and recorded music are not permitted.

After confirming your wedding booking with the Cathedral, you will be put in contact with the relevant Cathedral musicians.

The bells at St Patrick's Cathedral are over 170 years old and have been rung for various occasions throughout their history.
Cathedral bell ringers can be arranged for your wedding but must be arranged at least 4-6 weeks prior to the wedding date to avoid disappointment.
Please Note: The Bells are manually rung by 8 Bellringers.

Cost for Bells are $800.00 if the bells are rung either before or after the ceremony
or
$1,000.00 when bells are rung before and after ceremony

Flowers are arranged by the Cathedral Florist. Placement and colours are in accordance with the liturgical season. Pew bows and similar decorations are not permitted. Flower petals, confetti, rice and other various items are NOT to be thrown on the Cathedral grounds or in the Cathedral.

For 2024/2025, weddings at St Patrick's Cathedral cost $2,500. A deposit of $1,500 is required to secure the booking, and the balance of $1,000 is to be paid four (4) weeks prior to the wedding date.

Payment includes 1½ hours use of the Cathedral and grounds, along with the priest’s stipend and contribution to flowers. Please note:
The cost of musicians and bell ringing is additional.

Cancellation of confirmed bookings must be sent in writing. A refund of $1000 will be returned to you on cancellation.
$500 will be kept as administration fee.

Please note that no vehicles are permitted on Cathedral grounds.
No livestock (including doves, pigeons or butterflies) are permitted nor are to be released within the Cathedral grounds.

The late arrival of the bride (i.e. more than 10 minutes) is unacceptable and can cause serious inconvenience to staff, your guests and the next wedding party. Late arrivals may also result in musicians and bell ringers being unable to provide services for your wedding and a shortened ceremony.