You and your fiancé(e) should go and see Father Edmund as soon as you have decided to get married. Make sure that both he and the church are available before confirming your venue for the wedding reception. If you intend to invite someone else to officiate at the ceremony (such as a relative or family friend who is a Catholic priest or deacon) then you must obtain permission for this. Normally at least six months notice is required.
Father Edmund will take down your details and explain to you the documents that you need to obtain. For a Catholic these are a recent copy of your baptismal certificate, evidence of confirmation, and evidence of freedom to marry from your parish priest. A baptised member of another denomination must also provide a copy of their baptismal certificate and similar evidence of freedom to marry. A non-baptised person must obtain a Statutory Declaration of Freedom.
Father Edmund will also arrange for you to attend a one day Marriage Preparation Course given by Marriage Care in Northampton.
You are free to marry a baptised Christian of another denomination, but should bear in mind that you will be asked to undertake to bring your children up as Catholics. Your fiancé(e) would not be put under any obligation to assist with this, but should at least consent to your doing so.
If you are marrying a non-baptised person or someone of another faith, a dispensation is required from the Bishop’s office, but this is normally granted on the parish priest’s recommendation.