Planning a Catholic Wedding? Here is what you will need to know to get the process started...

Please visit Catholic MarriagePrep.com to learn more about Pre-cana and other online courses to prepare you for marriage...

Preparation time...

Couples are encouraged to contact their home parish as soon as they decide to get married in the Catholic Church. The normal preparation time for a couple wanting to get married in the Church is one year. As a reminder, Roman Catholics are required to get married in the Church in order to remain in good-standing with the Church.
 

What does it meant to be in "Good Standing with the Church"

If a Roman Catholic gets married outside of the Catholic Faith, or without permission from the Bishop to do so, their marriage will not be recognized as being valid within the Church. As such, they will no longer be in good-standing with the Church because they did not follow the rules of the Church which are designed to keep them in right-relationship with God. If a person gets married outside of the Church, they will prevent themselves from receiving Holy Communion until their Marriage is properly blessed by the Church. They will also prevent themselves from being eligible to act as a godparent or sponsor for those wishing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. They will also be excluded from participating in Church ministries like being a lector, extraordinary minister, acolyte, etc.

For more information about what it means to be in "Good Standing with the Church" please click on this LINK. Thank you!
 

Setting the Wedding Date and Freedom to Marry

Before a wedding date can be set, the couple should meet with the priest or deacon they wish to marry them to determine that nothing is preventing the couple from getting married in the Catholic Church. Catholics are expected to have received their Sacraments of Initiation before they get married. These Sacraments are Baptism, First Holy Communion/Penance and Confirmation.

If a couple wishes to get married in a Catholic Church outside of their home diocese, a special Visum will be needed.
 

F.O.C.C.U.S.

The Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study pre-marriage inventory is administered through your parish or witnessing clergy to further prepare you for married life. The FOCCUS inventory can assist you in identifying strengths and areas for growth in your relationship, areas of agreement or disagreement you may have with each other or with Church teachings, that is, areas that need more of your reflections and discussion. More information on FOCCUS is here.

Couples are encouraged to complete FOCCUS with their clergy before attending the Marriage Preparation Program of their choice.
 

Marriage Preparation Program

You are required to attend a Marriage Preparation Program which the priest or deacon preparing you for marriage will explain more. Trained Catholic married couples share with you the wisdom gained from their experiences as they live out their own vocation to married life. Certificates are given at the completion of all the programs. They serve as verification of attendance and participation in a required pre-marriage instruction program.
 

Additional meetings with the Priest or Deacon who will marry you

Following participation in a Marriage Preparation Program, you will once again arrange to meet with your witnessing priest or deacon. The number of meetings is determined by the witnessing clergy. These will be opportunities to share your experiences about the program you attended and to discuss any serious issues or concerns that may need to be addressed. It will also be the time to collect any outstanding documents and complete any remaining paperwork. Once your readiness for marriage is affirmed, the planning for the wedding liturgy may begin.