For Catholics, marriage is more than a civil contract between a man and a woman. It is a sacred commitment between you, Christ and the Church, similar to a baptism. The archdiocese of the priest in charge of the ceremony establishes the necessary requirements to be able to get married in church. Preparations can take up to 6 months before a Catholic wedding ceremony, and in some churches a year must pass, complete with pre-marital courses.
Steps
Step 1. Notify the pastor or priest
Try to talk to the priest 6-12 months in advance of the desired date, to avoid problems or overlapping dates.
Step 2. Meet the priest to book the date and time of the wedding
Once you have completed the first bureaucratic part for a wedding ceremony in the church, you will need to book a test of suitability of faith and enroll in a pre-marriage course.
Step 3. Confirm that you and your fiancée are eligible for a church ceremony
The Church requires that at least one of the participants be Catholic.
Step 4. Provide proof of eligibility through the relevant documentation, including the wedding information form, baptism and communion certificates and any other necessary documents
If needed, obtain copies of the marital status, cancellation or death certificate of the previous partner.
Step 5. Ask for a copy of the “Wedding Rite”, a guide to choosing liturgical readings and music for the ceremony
Step 6. Prove your faith before the priest
The priest will base his individual decision on the written and oral responses of the bride and groom. Since Catholic marriage is a sacrament, the priest must recognize your presence of faith in order to be able to marry you.
Step 7. Take an oral or written compatibility test, in case the priest requests it
This helps the priest confirm his decision to marry.
Step 8. Choose and attend a pre-marital counseling program approved by the pastor
This program can consist of a weekend retreat or 2-3 hour lessons over several weeks. A similar program addresses topics such as the role of faith and prayer, finances and family life. You will receive a certificate of attendance to be delivered to the priest once the course is finished.
Step 9. Consult with the priest once the requirements are completed
Tell him about your choices of music and readings for the ceremony. The priest will also suggest that you and your fiancée confess before getting married.
Step 10. Try the Catholic ceremony with the other wedding members and the priest 1-2 days before the actual ceremony
Advice
- In some cases, the protocol for how to get married in church can change. A priest may decide to waive certain requirements based on specific circumstances. For example, an elderly widowed couple may not need pre-marital counseling.
- You must request and receive a wedding certificate through the local administration before the ecclesiastical ceremony for the state to recognize the validity of the wedding.
- The Catholic Church will request cancellation in the event of a previous marriage and divorce of the bride or groom, unless they are widowers.
