AT LEAST SIX MONTHS BEFORE YOUR CHOSEN WEDDING DATE
Contact the Parish
Make an Appointment to Meet with a Priest Couples preparing
for marriage should call the parish office, at least six months
prior to their chosen wedding date. The parish secretary will help
you set up an appointment to speak with a priest. A wedding date
cannot be reserved until the couple completed this step. Call the
parish office:
(562) 498-6641
Meet with the Priest
You will be interviewed by one of the priests from the parish.
During the meeting, he will ask if you are free to marry, and
question you about your understanding of the commitment you are
about to make and your ability to carry it out. This is a chance
for you to ask questions as well. At that time, you will receive
the name and phone number of our Parish Wedding Coordinator.
Obtain a Copy of your Baptismal Certificate from the Church where
You were Baptized
Both parties will be asked to obtain and present copies of their
baptismal certificates. (If one party is Catholic and the other is
not baptized, or baptized in another faith, the marriage still may
take place in the Church.)
In the event that you can't find your certificate, the parish
secretary can explain how to obtain a copy. Call her at:
(562) 498-6641
AT LEAST FIVE MONTHS BEFORE YOUR CHOSEN WEDDING DATE
Make a Reservation for Your Marriage Preparation
Course
All couples to be married in the Church are required to
participate in a program such as Engaged Encounter, which is a
weekend experience presented by a priest and married couples to
help engaged couples examine their readiness for the commitment of
marriage and deepen their bond of love for each other. To get the
weekend of your choice, reserve as soon as possible, because these
weekends are in demand and fill up fast.
AT LEAST THREE MONTHS BEFORE YOUR CHOSEN WEDDING DATE
Participate in your Marriage Preparation Program
Don't plan to go any later than this! It will be the single most
valuable thing you do to prepare for your wedding day.
AT LEAST TWO MONTHS BEFORE YOUR CHOSEN WEDDING DATE
Contact the Parish Wedding Coordinator
Our Parish Wedding Coordinator is trained to assist you in
planning all aspects of your wedding liturgy. You will need to
meet with her at least once to go over your options for music,
ideas for placement of floral arrangements, choices for scripture
readings, possibilities for the entrance and recessional
processions, and parish policies for weddings.
Remember, being married in the Church does not require expensive
and elaborate furnishings. If you want something elaborate, that's
fine. But a simple wedding liturgy with just a few family and
friends is equally beautiful in the eyes of God, the Church, and
those who love you. Our Wedding Coordinator can guide you in
making practical choices for your special day.
AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR CHOSEN
WEDDING DATE
Meet with the Reader(s) for Your Wedding Liturgy
Make sure that each person you have asked to do a reading has a
copy of the text he/she is to read. Ask your readers to practice
once a day, so that their proclamation of God's Word will be
clear, loud enough and reverent on your special day.
Meet with the Musicians, Photographer, Videographer
and Florist Assisting at Your Wedding
Finalize selections and arrangements, and provide each with a copy
of our parish wedding guidelines, with which they are expected to
comply.
DURING THE MONTH BEFORE YOUR CHOSEN WEDDING DATE
Try to relax! Come to Sunday Mass together! Pray together and for
each other.
The two of you are the Ministers of the magnificent Sacrament of
Matrimony on the first day of the rest of your life together.
Don't worry about hair or clothes or nervous parents! Focus on
each other during the joyful holiness of this time. And include
God!
