Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

For Catholics, marriage is more than a civil contract between a man and a woman. It is a sacramental commitment between you, Christ and the church, just like baptism. The priest of the archdiocese dictates his requirements, what should be the marriage in the Catholic Church. Preparation will take at least 6 months before a Catholic wedding ceremony, and some temples require pre-wedding courses.

Steps

1. 1 Call your priest. Schedule a conversation with the priest 6 to 12 months before your desired wedding date to resolve any potential conflicts or concerns.
2. 2 Meet with the priest to book your wedding date and time. When you have completed all of the original paperwork for the Catholic wedding ceremony, you will need to schedule a test of faith and willingness and register before marriage for the workshop or courses.
3. 3 Make sure you and your fiancé are eligible for the Catholic wedding ceremony. The Church requires that at least one of those who marry be Catholic.
4. 4 Submit your marriage certificate and supporting documentation, including premarital baptism forms, and proof of certificates and any required orders or permits. Get copies of free status, cancellation, or previous spouse's death certificate if needed.
5. 5 Ask for a copy of The Rite of Marriage, a guide to planning worship readings and music for your wedding ceremony.
6. 6 Test your faith to be ready for a Catholic marriage in front of a priest. The priest will be based on individual evaluations of written and oral responses from the bride and groom. Since marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacrament, the priest must make sure that you are a believer in order to admit you to marriage.
7. 7 Complete a written or oral compatibility test if asked by the priest.This helps the priest and confirms your decision to marry.
8. 8 Select and attend one of the approved ward premarriage counseling programs, also known as prenuptial programs. These programs can be in the form of a weekend getaway or 2 to 3 hour workshops that span several weeks. The approved premarital counseling program covers topics such as the role of faith and prayer, finance, and family planning. You will receive a priestly wedding certificate upon completion of your studies.
9. 9 Check with your priest after completing all the requirements. Tell him about your liturgical readings and your choice of music for the ceremony. The priest will also tell you that you and your fiancé must confess before taking your vows.
10. 10 Rehearse a Catholic wedding ceremony with other wedding participants and the priest 1 to 2 days prior to the actual ceremony.

Tips

• The Catholic Church will demand cancellation if the groom or bride was previously married and divorced, and the former spouse is alive.
• In some cases, the details of the wedding process in the Catholic Church may differ. The priest may waive any requirement based on individual conditions. For example, mature couples who are widowed may not need premarital counseling.
• If you and your fiancé (bride) belong to different Catholic churches, talk to your priest about the next steps.

Warnings

• Don't forget to go to the city hall or town hall to get a marriage license from the state where the marriage is taking place!