Holy Matrimony

Married in the Catholic Church

According to our Catholic faith, Holy Matrimony is a covenant by which a man and a woman establish a partnership for their entire lives, ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. Baptized spouses enter this Sacrament freely, with a clear understanding that they will strive to live their married lives in the manner of Christ's unconditional and sacrificial love for us, enduring until the death of one spouse. Holy Matrimony is not only a legal relationship but a deeply spiritual one, desired by the couple when they come to be married in the Catholic Church.

Planning Your Wedding at St. Mary's

Initial Contact and Preparation

Diocesan regulations require all couples planning marriage to contact a priest or deacon at least nine months before their desired wedding date.

Preparation for marriage at St. Mary's involves:



• Several meetings with a priest or deacon.
• Several sessions with a mentor couple from the parish.
• Attendance at a diocesan seminar titled "God's Plan for a Joy-filled Marriage."
• Any additional preparation the priest deems necessary.

As an alternative to the diocesan seminar and mentor couple sessions, engaged couples may choose to attend a weekend-long "Engaged Encounter" Retreat. Please discuss your preference with the priest.

Wedding Scheduling

• Weddings at Saint Mary’s are usually celebrated on Saturdays but may also be scheduled at other times at the discretion of the pastor.
• No Saturday weddings can be scheduled later than 2 p.m.
• You must contact the pastor to discuss the availability of potential wedding dates before booking your reception site.
• Parishioners of St. Mary's are given preference when scheduling weddings.
• Non-parishioners may only marry at St. Mary's under special circumstances and must discuss their circumstances with both their home parish pastor(s) and the pastor of St. Mary's before being allowed to schedule their wedding. Non-parishioners may not schedule a wedding more than one year in advance.

Wedding Guidelines Booklet

At your first meeting with the priest or deacon, you will receive a booklet outlining all our wedding guidelines. This booklet is designed to answer all questions related to having your wedding at St. Mary's Church. Please be sure to consult this booklet before and during your wedding preparations.