Steps to Getting Married in the Catholic Church

Congratulations! We are happy you have decided to marry in the Catholic Church.

We want to help you succeed in your marriage. There is education and preparation required for receiving all the sacraments of the faith, including the Sacrament of Matrimony.

The name “PreCana” is based on the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first public miracle; changing water into wine at the request of his mother. “Pre” means before, so before your personal Wedding Feast at Cana — your own wedding day — we want to help you prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony and start you on your journey to a lifelong marriage.

Let us guide you through the process of marrying in the Catholic Church.

1. Meet with your parish priest or deacon.

Get the information about guidelines for marriage at the parish. Ask how to arrange for appropriate music for the ceremony. You will also begin to fill out some of the required papers.

2. Take a premarital inventory.

The inventories recommended by the Archdiocese as being both research and scientifically based with a Catholic understanding of marriage are The Catholic Couple Check Up or FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Caring Communication Understanding and Study) instruments. Both inventories are taken online.

Discuss your results with each other and the person preparing you for marriage.

3. Attend a marriage preparation class.

To find out about approved programs available in your area, click here and we will help you.

4. Attend an approved introductory Natural Family Planning course.

NFP consists of scientific natural methods to achieve, space, or avoid a pregnancy, strengthening the marriage, the couple, and the family by teaching couples to read and interpret signs of fertility and infertility. The Christian Sexuality class is based on the Theology of the Body with lectures, discussion, and workbook exercises.

5. Consult with your priest or deacon.

Discuss any issues or concerns raised in your marriage preparation class and review the details of the ceremony with the priest, or deacon. Complete all papers and review the readings and music you have chosen.

6. Purchase your marriage license.

Be sure you buy your marriage license at least one but no more than 60 days before the ceremony.

7. Attend your wedding rehearsal

The wedding rehearsal takes place at your church with those involved in the ceremony as determined with your marriage minister.

8. Enjoy your wedding day.

Your big day is finally here as you begin your lifetime commitment to one another, your own marriage in the Lord.

9. Attend continuing education workshops.

Find out about workshops and other enrichment opportunities offered to newly-married couples.