Marriage Preparation

• Meet your Parish Priest with your Family Book.
• Discuss the date and type of ceremony: Mass (Catholic-Catholic) or Service (Catholic-Non-Catholic).
• Ensure you are free to marry (not previously married or in common-law union).
• Get a recent Baptism Certificate and a letter from your parish confirming freedom to marry.
• If previously married, contact the Marriage Tribunal before continuing.

Both the bride and groom are required to complete the Pre-Nuptial Investigation form, commonly known as the "PNI" form

• If the bride or groom is from a different parish, they must obtain a letter stating that the PNI forms will be sent in time for the marriage, and they are responsible for completing the forms at their respective parish.
• If the partner is non-Catholic, they should also complete the PNI forms in their respective parish.

Required Documents

• Family Book issued by the Parish, confirming that the individual getting married is Catholic and in good standing with the Church.
• Baptism Certificate should be obtained. If from another parish, obtain a certificate within 3 months stating "Freedom to Marry".
• Confirmation Certificate
• Pre-Cana Retreat Certificate - is mandatory for ALL COUPLES, regardless of whether one or both parties are Catholic. Parents are also encouraged to attend the retreat. Obtain a Registration Form from the Parish Office and participate in the retreat. Afterward, submit a copy of the Certificate received at the conclusion of the Retreat. Click here for more infomation
• Gramasevaka Certificate affirming no prior marriages have taken place is required for the groom or bride who is not Catholic. This certificate is usually provided in the form of a Character Certificate.
• Pink Form - The couple must meet with a government marriage registrar to register their names for marriage and obtain a Registrar's Certificate, typically a pink certificate. It is essential to double-check all spellings and details in the form, especially the names, before submitting it to the church.
• Yellow Receipt - Once the postal fee is paid at the Divisional Secretariat Office (Pradeshiya Lekam Karyalaya), obtain a yellow receipt and submit it to the church.
• Witness Info - are required for the wedding, preferably Catholic. Please download the form and fill in their details in Sinhala and in Englsih
• Visiting Priest Letter - If a Priest other than the local parish priest is to officiate the ceremony, he must send a letter requesting permission to preside over the ceremony.
• Marriage or Nullity Records - In cases of previous marriage, both the Marriage Certificate and the Death Certificate or Declaration of Nullity must be provided.

Planning the Date

• Weddings are prohibited on Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Dec 17-25, and on other major Solemnities. See full chart
• Also check local parish restrictions, especially during special parish events and the Annual Parish Feast.

Music

• Coordinate music with your Parish Priest.
• Hymn sheets need to be approved by the parish priest before printing.
• Use only sacred, liturgical music. No secular songs or performances.

Flowers

• Floral decorations must be subtle yet elegant, featuring predominantly white flowers.
• Flowers are allowed in specific areas of the church. At no time are flowers placed on or above the altar.
• It is forbidden to throw flower petals in the church nor scatter them on the aisle.
• Some churches allow only fresh flowers in the sanctuary.

Photography/Videography

• Picture-taking and video recording must not interfere with the ceremony at any time, nor block the view of the altar.
• No entering altar space or sanctuary.
• Drones are strictly forbidden inside the church.

Miscellaneous

• No rice, confetti, birdseed, or bubbles in/around the church.
• No food or drinks inside or near the church premises.

Readers

• Must be confirmed Catholics.
• Readers are needed for the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm and Prayers of the Faithful.
• Only 4 Prayers of the Faithful allowed. Response must be: “Lord, hear our prayer.”
• Readers also need to be decently dressed. Some parishes require you to wear the liturgical robe.
• Sample Prayers of the Faithful

Offertory Procession

• Only for Catholic-Catholic weddings; at such weddings, guests are invited to bring dry rations for the poor.
• Only Catholics may participate.
• There will be no offertory procession at weddings between a Catholic and a non-Catholic.