Marriage Preparation Steps
Documents to prepare:
•Baptismal Certificate - get a new copy from the Church where you were baptized.
•First Communion and Confirmation Certificates -- Xerox copy okay
•Affidavits of Freedom to Marry - signed by parents or close relative, witnessed by a priest or Public Notary
•Marriage License - obtained not earlier than 90 days prior to the wedding date.
Marriage Preparation Course:
•You are required to participate in one of the Archdiocesan Marriage Preparation programs.
The best available is the Catholic Engaged Encounter of LA Weekend. (Other options are available if this is impossible.)
•The priest will also review the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication & Study) with you.
Wedding Coordinator:
•Please contact your assigned Coordinator shortly after your initial meeting with the priest and the setting of your wedding date.
Music:
•All music during the ceremony must be liturgical.
•Secular and recorded music is not appropriate.
Flowers:
•You may choose any florist you like.
•Please let us know if you plan on leaving flowers in the Church.
•During Advent and Lent, expect purple/violet decorations in Church that may not be moved.
Photograpers\Videographers:
•We welcome them into the Church, and they must follow the rules of the Church provided by the coordinator.
•To make your wedding prayerful and beautiful they must be professional and discreet.
•Flashes during the ceremony are to be avoided. Exceptions are the entrance procession and the final kiss.
•Posed group pictures in the Church afterwards are not allowed.
•You are encouraged to take pictures outside, taking advantage of the sunlight and beautiful grounds.
Monies:
•Church Donation - $600 (Parishioners) $800 (Non-Parishioners) (updated October 2023)
•Wedding Coordinator-$200
•Altar Servers - $20 each
•Musicians - $200 each
Meeting with the Priest:
•After the initial meeting with the priest, gather your documents and call the priest for another meeting.
•All documents and monies need to be taken care of not less than one month before the wedding.
Additional Information.
•Please clear the flower and ribbon arrangements with the coordinator. No lighted candles in the flowers.
•Please no rice, confetti, etc. that may mess up the Church.
•There can be up to three weddings on a Saturday, and we try to schedule them two hours apart.
•We will have the Church free at least one half hour before your scheduled time.
We are here to help you, so call us with any questions.
"'God made them male and female and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." Mark 10:6-9
God bless you!
