Marriage

Scripture often refers to marriage, the meaning God gave to it, and its renewal in the covenant made by Jesus with his Church.
Man and woman were created for each other.

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You are getting married!  Congratulations upon your upcoming wedding
and marriage!

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With such varied venues available for entering into marriage, we are joyful that you are considering the Catholic Church for your marriage preparation and wedding celebration.  May the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph watch over you and intercede for you during your journey towards the fullness of life and love that sacred matrimony brings to so many Christians today.  Again, Congratulations & Blessings!  

Marriage Preparation

A couple will first meet with a Priest or Deacon and begin a personal marriage file for the couple. The couple will go online and take the a communication tool entitled FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding, Study); a Priest or Deacon will review its results with the couple over several sessions. The couple attends either a Marriage Encounter Weekend or Marriage Class Series. The couple also meets with a trained person or couple to learn more about Natural Family Planning.

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Documents

Baptismal Certificates: Christian parties are required to present a copy of their baptismal certificate. 
Marriage License: The couple is required to present a Marriage License from the local court house. 
Pre-Nuptial Investigation: When you meet, the Priest or Deacon begins a file of basic background information.

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Fees/Donations

While registered families and couples receive no wedding fee, wedding couples customarily make a donation of gratitude to the church, which must precede any personal gift for clergy. Usual donation: $250. Non-registered families and couples are asked to donate $500 to support the local church. Non-registered couples seeking only marriage preparation are asked to donate $100.

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Wedding Ceremony

After contacting our parish office, the Priest or Deacon works with you to finalize your Wedding place/date/time. There is wisdom in having this set before finalizing your wedding reception. Weddings with Priests can be celebrated with or without Mass; weddings with Deacons are without Mass. Most weddings occur outside of the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent. While Fridays are more flexible, Saturday weddings must begin no later than 2:00 p.m. and the ceremony length is about an hour. All weddings must be celebrated within a Christian Church. If the church for the ceremony is not Catholic, the Priest or Deacon will ask permission for the ceremony to be celebrated in another Christian Church. 

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Wedding Rehearsal

Your Rehearsal usually takes place the evening before the ceremony. The couple works with the priest or deacon to schedule the date and time. If all arrive on time, the rehearsal length is about an hour.

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Ceremony Planning

Near the end of Marriage Preparation, the Priest or Deacon reviews with the couple a copy of our Wedding Ceremony Guidelines and a copy of a Wedding Ceremony Planning Booklet.

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