Non-religious Celebrant in a Chapel

Ask the church about their policies.  A marriage celebrant is allowed to perform a wedding in any venue, so the only restrictions would be from the church.  As a minister and a civil celebrant who performs weddings in churches, I am personally always happy to let the couple to have whatever they would like. 

If there is no Priest associated with the Chapel, then there's no problem at all. However, you need to discuss this with the Priest, because they may have rules regarding the use of the Catholic Chapel.

Certified marriage celebrants can travel anywhere in Australia to conduct the wedding or other ceremonies. Many celebrants are catholic and hence can personalise your ceremony to be close to what a catholic ceremony would be. i have done many such ceremonies.

Sounds like you are referring to the Chapel of Mary MacKillop at the John Paul II Ecumenical Centre which I believe is owned by the Catholic Church

As such, you will need to speak with the parish priest.

Some churches will allow a visiting minister or civil celebrant but others will not as it is consecrated grounds used for prayer & church services.

The reference to an 'Ecumenical' centre does suggest some possibility that the priest might agree but if it is consecrated grounds owned by the church, it is entirely up to the priest and church policy.

I am a Civil Celebrant on the NSW South Coast but coincidentally have a wedding booking for Thredbo on the weekend of 11/11/2023. I'd be happy to assist if needed.

One of the ski resort local sites states that the chapel is actually a non-denominational Christian church and the respondent got married there with a Navy Chaplain not a catholic priest. Somone else has commented on the thread that many couples use non-religious celebrants for services there. I'm guessing a call or email to Father Peter (I think that is who is currnetly in residence) should satisfy any concerns but it seems like its all fine.

The short answer: In your particular instance you really need to ask the Cooma Parish. After all, the Thredbo Chapel is their place.

A bit more info:

As for non-religious celebrants conducting weddings in Chapels or Churches, each situation is different. There are some chapels which are not really associated with churches but available for hire and you wouldn't need permission to marry without their own religious minister. In other situations you are pretty much bound to use their own minister but you'd have to check in each case.

I hope this is helpful regards Chris

You will need to ask if they allow non-religious celebrants to solemnise marriages in their chapel. 

A non religious marriage celebrant can perform a wedding in a chapel if the church that owns the chapel agrees

  It is  entirely up the owners of the chapel

Celebrants can perform weddings anywhere in Australi if the owner of the property agrees

Hope this helps

 I have found that if there is a resident Priest or Minister assigned to the church/chapel then it is expected that they will conduct the Ceremony.

The only instance that this could not occur is if they are not authorised to conduct a Marriage Ceremony. 

Hi there,

If what you have booked is a Chapel that is not a Church, then you can use anyone you want.  If the Chapel is a Non Denominational Church, you can also use anyone.  Most Main stream church's such as the Catholic church do not normally book out their chapel, but other churches will.

Trust that helps, at the end of the day you just need to ask who you book the chapel through, is it okay to book the chapel for a non religious celebrant to officiate our wedding...

All the best for a wonderful wedding followed by a long happy and loving life.

Bill