Engaged – Marriage Preparation
Planning a Catholic wedding?
Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming marriage!
We are here to help.
A minimum of three months’ notice is required (six months preferable) and enrolment in a marriage preparation course is required for you to marry in the Catholic Church.
If you are planning to marry in the Catholic Church, the first thing you need to do is to engage a Catholic priest or deacon to marry you (your celebrant).
If you are marrying outside of our Archdiocese, you still need to engage with a local priest or deacon (from the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn) to assist you with the official Church and Government paperwork (your local clergy contact).
To find a local priest or deacon to assist you, make enquiries in the parish where you live. Find it by entering your postcode here.
The priest or deacon will need at least 3-6 months’ notice in order to assist you. He can guide you regarding Government and Church requirements, preparation of your wedding booklet, arrangements for a wedding rehearsal, and so on.
If you are marrying outside of our Archdiocese, you still need to engage with a local priest or deacon (from the Archdiocese of Canberra Goulburn) to assist you with the official Church and Government paperwork (your local clergy contact).
To find a local priest or deacon to assist you, make enquiries in the parish where you live. Find it by entering your postcode here.
The priest or deacon will need at least 3-6 months’ notice in order to assist you. He can guide you regarding Government and Church requirements, preparation of your wedding booklet, arrangements for a wedding rehearsal, and so on.
Marriage Preparation Programs
Your celebrant will also let you know what marriage preparation he would like you to undertake. Marriage preparation will usually include a few meetings with your celebrant as well as one or more of the following pre-marriage education options:
Duration: 1 x 4 hour group session and a 90 minute private appointment
The FOCCUS program is conducted on the second Tuesday of every second month at the St Christopher’s Pastoral Centre in Manuka, (behind the Cathedral)
The session runs from 5pm to 9pm and initially involves each member of the couple individually responding to a series of written statements about relationship issues. The written responses will be compared by computer to highlight your relationship strengths and potential challenges. The results will form the basis for a 90 minute facilitated conversation with a Marymead CatholicCare counsellor which you will book for a later date.
On the Tuesday evening, after completing the questionnaire, couples gather together for a light supper and then receive some input about Catholic marriage from a priest and from a married couple. Time is provided for each couple to draw aside in private to discuss the issues that are being raised.
The cost for the whole package is $350 per couple.
To register, first make a secure payment here and save your payment receipt number to complete your registration here.
Next courses dates:
The FOCCUS program is conducted on the second Tuesday of every second month at the St Christopher’s Pastoral Centre in Manuka, (behind the Cathedral)
The session runs from 5pm to 9pm and initially involves each member of the couple individually responding to a series of written statements about relationship issues. The written responses will be compared by computer to highlight your relationship strengths and potential challenges. The results will form the basis for a 90 minute facilitated conversation with a Marymead CatholicCare counsellor which you will book for a later date.
On the Tuesday evening, after completing the questionnaire, couples gather together for a light supper and then receive some input about Catholic marriage from a priest and from a married couple. Time is provided for each couple to draw aside in private to discuss the issues that are being raised.
The cost for the whole package is $350 per couple.
To register, first make a secure payment here and save your payment receipt number to complete your registration here.
Next courses dates:
- Tue 10th June, 2025
- Tue 12th August, 2025
- Tue 14th October, 2025
- Tue 9th December, 2025
Duration: 9 x 1.5 hours online.
Work at your own pace, when it suits you!
Smart Loving Engaged Online is an on-demand, Catholic Marriage Preparation course that will give you the tools to make your marriage the best it can be.
Ideally, one lesson per week will give you the time to practise the tools and form new habits over a 3 month period. The course can also be fast-tracked or spread out as required. At the end of the course, you will be emailed a certificate and course report to give to your celebrant.
Your celebrant may use your answers from the course report as an opportunity to discuss your preparation with you. A married sponsor couple can also journey with you at no extra cost.
Cost: $250 per couple including a workbook each for you, your celebrant and your sponsor couple.
If your wedding is in less than 3 months don’t register for this Program. Contact us for assistance to identify the best Marriage preparation program for you in this case.
To register, first make a secure payment here and save your payment receipt number to complete your registration here
Enquiries email: marriage.preparation@cg.org.au
Work at your own pace, when it suits you!
Smart Loving Engaged Online is an on-demand, Catholic Marriage Preparation course that will give you the tools to make your marriage the best it can be.
Ideally, one lesson per week will give you the time to practise the tools and form new habits over a 3 month period. The course can also be fast-tracked or spread out as required. At the end of the course, you will be emailed a certificate and course report to give to your celebrant.
Your celebrant may use your answers from the course report as an opportunity to discuss your preparation with you. A married sponsor couple can also journey with you at no extra cost.
Cost: $250 per couple including a workbook each for you, your celebrant and your sponsor couple.
If your wedding is in less than 3 months don’t register for this Program. Contact us for assistance to identify the best Marriage preparation program for you in this case.
To register, first make a secure payment here and save your payment receipt number to complete your registration here
Enquiries email: marriage.preparation@cg.org.au
Duration:Two full consecutive Saturdays 9am-3:30pm
Between 6-8 couples attend each Evenings for the Engaged course which was traditionally run one evening a week for 6 consecutive weeks. These days we find two full Saturdays 9am-3:30pm works better for most couples.
The course is presented by married couples and topics include: Family of Origin, Communication, Intimacy in Marriage, The Sacrament of Marriage (presented by a Priest), God in Marriage, Building a Stronger Marriage. Private time is provided for each couple to build a closer relationship while exploring important topics.
Cost: $150 including catering and resources.
Register here or contact Pru Gordon and Peter Grist at prugordon@gmail.com
Next courses:
Between 6-8 couples attend each Evenings for the Engaged course which was traditionally run one evening a week for 6 consecutive weeks. These days we find two full Saturdays 9am-3:30pm works better for most couples.
The course is presented by married couples and topics include: Family of Origin, Communication, Intimacy in Marriage, The Sacrament of Marriage (presented by a Priest), God in Marriage, Building a Stronger Marriage. Private time is provided for each couple to build a closer relationship while exploring important topics.
Cost: $150 including catering and resources.
Register here or contact Pru Gordon and Peter Grist at prugordon@gmail.com
Next courses:
- 5 & 12 July 2025
- 8 & 15 November 2025
Duration: 1 weekend in Sydney
While many couples attend each weekend, personal discussion only takes place between you and your fiancé. Private time is provided for each couple to build a closer relationship while exploring the following topics: your future lives together; your strengths and challenges; your desires, ambitions & goals; your attitudes about money, sex, children, family and your role in the church and society.
Cost: Approximately $290 not including accommodation.
Register here or contact Linda 0408 162 038. For more information please visit www.engagedencounter.org.au.
Proposed next courses:
While many couples attend each weekend, personal discussion only takes place between you and your fiancé. Private time is provided for each couple to build a closer relationship while exploring the following topics: your future lives together; your strengths and challenges; your desires, ambitions & goals; your attitudes about money, sex, children, family and your role in the church and society.
Cost: Approximately $290 not including accommodation.
Register here or contact Linda 0408 162 038. For more information please visit www.engagedencounter.org.au.
Proposed next courses:
- 17/18 May 2025
- 16/17 August 2025
- 8/9 November 2025