Marriage

Since 1882, the Cathedral has witnessed hundreds of couples standing before God to enter into the Sacrament of Matrimony. We are delighted to welcome any couple, who accept the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage, who wish to marry here and who both are free to do so.

If you would like to enquire about marriage at St John’s Cathedral, please contact the Parish Office on 023 9282 6170 or at cathedral@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk. In order to secure your date, you will need to book an appointment through the Parish Secretary with one of the Cathedral clergy. At your first meeting with one of the Cathedral clergy, a booking form will be completed with you. To this meeting you will need to bring a non-refundable deposit of £50. Please note that we do not take pencil bookings or hold a date without the booking form and deposit. We do not conduct weddings on Sundays, in the week leading up to Easter nor between Christmas and New Year.

If you live in our parish but seek to marry in a Catholic church elsewhere, please contact the Parish Office, which will arrange for you to meet with one of the Cathedral clergy, who will assist you with an appropriate preparation.

Ordinarily, all preparation for marriage is done in the parish where the Catholic party or parties live. Our parish preparation for marriage involves the couple having several meetings with the priest assigned to officiate at their wedding. These meetings are to ensure all necessary documentation is complete and that the couple have a good understanding of the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage. The meetings are complemented by further preparation provided by Marriage Care or another organisation accredited by the Catholic Church.

We do ask that ordinarily at least twelve months’ notice be given of a couple’s intention to marry here.