The intention to marry is a reason to congratulate a friend.
We want to be of service to a couple to make the time preparing for marriage a very enriching one.
Getting married in the Catholic Church requires that at least one of the future spouses is or wants to become Roman Catholic.
The period before the big day gives you the opportunity to quietly go into the substantive preparation for marriage.
Preparation
When a number of couples apply at the same time, our church organizes a marriage preparation course. Usually four times a year.
Church documents
Form "Declaration for church marriage. This is provided by the priest assisting in the wedding ceremony.
A recent excerpt from the baptismal register, available from the parish/church where you were baptized.
Permission from the diocese is needed if one of the future spouses is not Catholic. This can be requested by a priest of our church.
Permission from the pastor of your parish: needed if neither of you live in Amsterdam-Centre.
N.B. In the Netherlands, it is obligatory to marry civilly first. This means that you must first arrange the civil marriage through the municipality.
Wedding ceremony
The priests of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk are happy to help you prepare for the wedding ceremony. This is part of the individual counseling for each marriage preparation.
It is possible for other Roman Catholic priests or deacons to assist at your wedding in Our Lady's Church. This does require early consultation with the rector. Clergy from other denominations (non-Roman Catholic) may also be involved in the wedding ceremony, subject to the norms applicable in the Roman Catholic Church and in consultation with the rector.
Music
The Alphonsus Choir of Our Lady's Church is happy to sing at your wedding ceremony. The choir has a wide repertoire including Mozart, Haydn, and Puccini. The choir also has soloists to sing various songs. In consultation and depending on the wishes, a price will be determined with the choir. For musical arrangements, contact our organist-conductor Nicholas Papadimitriou Tel.: 06 4783 7902; E-mail
Availability of the church and chapel.
By arrangement, any day is possible. The most convenient days and times are generally:
Friday between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Saturday between noon and 4 p.m.
Each wedding can count on two hours of church building or chapel availability.
Photographs and video recordings
These are of course possible, if one is not too conspicuous during the wedding ceremony.
The photographer is requested to be elegantly dressed like the guests.
Appropriate clothing
We ask the bridal couple to take care of dignified clothing. The wedding dress in particular, should be appropriate in a sacred space. Guests are also requested to dress decently rather than popularly.
Costs
Marriage in the church costs €500 and couples from abroad €700. Music and flowers are not included in this fee. Transfer to the name of Stichting Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk: ING bank NL16INGB0000083831 has to be sent in advance of the wedding.
In the chapel, for smaller groups (about 30 seats) the cost is € 400. Transfer to the name of De Oude Gracht Foundation: ING bank NL34INGB0004378667.
Money should never be a problem to get married in the church. If you think this is too much, feel free to tell the priest with whom you are speaking. However, you will get a lot of attention and time if you get married in the Church of Our Lady.
Receptions in the meeting center De Oude Gracht.
Next to the church, there is a meeting center with some rooms available for rent (see www.deoudegracht.nl). If you want to have a reception after the wedding it is possible there.
Reservations by phone, asking for Monika Tel: 06 18187771, or E-mail
Flowers
A volunteer from our church will provide the flowers in consultation with the bride and groom and their wishes. You may also hire your florist for the occasion.
Parking Attention!
In the center of Amsterdam, parking is difficult and expensive. It is good to take this into account. As a humorous note: If you come in a boat along the canals to the church, the height of the quay is not suitable for mooring all types of boats and need to check in advance.