Initial Interview

At the initial interview you officially began the process of preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Some of what we did was:

• Selected the Date - While you have a date and time for your ceremony, we know that situations may change. If you need to change your date or time, we will need to sign a new agreement.
• Signed Agreement - The agreement include particular points. You will want to make sure that you understand these specifics as you plan your ceremony. If there's any points you're not sure about, let us know.
• Paid a Deposit - The deposit is applied towards the total fees of $725.00. While the deposit is "non-refundable" we can applv it towards a new date. You can pay the balance at whatever pace works best for you. Just remember that the total balance will need to be paid 90 days before the ceremony. If this becomes a challenge let us know. The $725.00 includes the preparation, the church, the presider, the wedding coordinator, the retreat, and music.
• Forms "A" - The Form A is the document that the Church requires that insures that you know what you're agreeing to in marriage and that you're free to agree without impediment or coercion.

Form "B" for Both

The Form "B" is similar to the Form "A" but this time family or friends attest that you're able to enter into marriage. It only takes a few minutes to complete, but l'd recommend that your witnesses call for an appointment, so it only takes a few minutes.

FOCUS Survey®

The FOCUS survey helps us to identify areas for discussion as we prepare for your marriage (as opposed to the wedding). Ideally, this should be completed before the Marriage Preparation Sessions and Retreat. Remember, it's a survey and not a test. There are no "correct" or "incorrect" answers. There are basically three steps:

1. Take the Survey - Foccus will send you the Survey to be completed online by both of you. The survey takes between 45 and 60 minutes to complete. You can take the survey separately or at the same time.
2. Survey is Scored - By scoring, we're not "grading" the results. Rather, we're looking for areas for discussion.
3. Survey Interview - Once the survey is scored, we will meet again to discuss. areas that were uncovered in the survey. This is usually a 60-minute meeting. Obviously for this meeting both of you need to attend.

Marriage Preparation Sessions

Rather than having you come to classes once a week every week for six weeks, we offer the online sessions, Beloved ™M through Formedo. It's a series of six sessions that you can take at your own pace. We've paid the licensing fees so there's no addition cost to you. This package includes directions to access the sessions, plus we also include the forms to record and submit your responses. You can submit the responses through email, or you can bring them to the Marriage Preparation Retreat.

Marriage Preparation Retreat

After you've completed the Focus survey and interview, as well the Beloved series your preparation culminates with a daylong retreat with other couples. The retreats are held several times a year on Saturdays from 9:00 am to the 5:00 pm Mass. At the Mass you will receive a special blessing from the priest. So you'll want to plan on 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. We will provide everything you need for the retreat. Ideally, the Formed Survey, the Online Sessions, and the Retreat at least six months before your wedding.

Dispensation/Permission

If either of you is not a Baptized Catholic, we will have the Catholic party sign a Dispensation/Permission request. This is a simple step that is usually done the same day that we meet for the Focus survey.

Meet with Ceremony Coordinator

As the ceremony date grows closer, (at least 90 days before the ceremony), you will meet with our Ceremony Coordinator. She will help you complete the wedding preparation for your special day. In addition to the discussion of your wedding liturgy, your wedding rehearsal will be scheduled. When meeting with her, she will help you choose readings, request any special elements (such as a cultural ceremony), hear about music suggestions and generally talk over the details of your special day and anything else that may be necessary to make your wedding day a day you will truly cherish.

Wedding Rehearsal

You and your coordinator will schedule your rehearsal. Generally, this would be the evening before your ceremony. Remember, you will need to bring your wedding license and photographer's agreement to the rehearsal.

Wedding Ceremony

Your special day has finally arrived. Don't forget to breathe and enjoy the day. Remember, your wedding ceremony is only the beginning of a special and holy life together.

Current Baptism Certificate(s)

For Catholics, the Bishops require proof of Baptism. The proof that is asked for is a current Certificate of Baptism. By current, they ask for a new certificate dated within the past six months. For most people, this means contacting their church of baptism and requesting a new certificate. Because this is a universal requirement, you'll find that the church is more than happy to provide your certificate. The purpose of asking for a current certificate is this: When vou receive sacraments in the Church, the church that administered your sacraments, (Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage), is required to notify the church of baptism. This means that your church of baptism will have all your sacrament history. If you are a Baptized Christian from another faith tradition, this proof will depend on when and where you were baptized.

Confirmation Certificate(s)

If you are a Baptized Catholic who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation, we will need a copy of the certificate. If you have not received Confirmation Canon Law states, "Catholics who have not vet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before they are admitted to marriage if it can be done without grave inconvenience.
- Canon 1065 §1

Marriage License

A Catholic wedding is not only a religious ceremony; it is a legal ceremony. For every marriage we will need a wedding license. If you are not married civilly now, you will need to secure a wedding license within 90 days of the ceremony. You will need to present the license to us before the wedding can take place (usually at the rehearsal). If you are currently married civilly, we will need a copy of the license as soon as possible.

Ceremony Basics Worksheet

We are providing a worksheet to help you plan the ceremony. It's a useful worksheet to keep you on track with all the details that a wedding ceremony can include. You will be provided with the book, "Together for Life". This contains the choices of the readings available to you for the ceremony. It would be helpful for you to complete, (as much as possible), and return the worksheet before you meet with the coordinator. She will help you complete the form if you're unclear about what it's asking for.

Photographer's Agreement

Because of the sacredness of the liturgy, we want to be sure that your photographer/videographer understand their role in insuring this sacredness. Once you have chosen your photographer, you will need to have her/him sign the agreement and give a copy to the wedding coordinator at the rehearsal.