marriage

A sacred bond

Your marriage, like all Christian marriages, is distinct because of its relationship to God, your worship community, and the people of God. Marriage in the Catholic Church is a Sacrament—not just a legal relationship or contract. It is not just the action of the couple who are to be married, but also the action of God and the community.

more about

marriage preparation

It is out of deep concern for the happiness and fulfillment of couples, as well as a serious concern for the important role which marriage plays in the life of our church community, that guidelines for marriage preparation are presented. They are intended to promote and protect the sacredness of marriage by helping couples better prepare the foundations for a stable and lasting marriage.

marriage prep faq

  • To schedule your wedding, you must begin the marriage prep process by contacting the Marriage Preparation Coordinator, Heather Dent. After contacting her and completing the intake information form, you will schedule a meeting with clergy to talk about the preparation process, complete the required diocesan forms, and discuss potential wedding dates.

  • There is no set diocesan policy on how long a couple's wedding preparation must be. The minimum length of time is at least 6 months, but the actual length of preparation is determined by more than just calendar days. Readiness to marry is a critical factor in determining how soon a wedding can be scheduled after beginning the preparation process.

  • Typically, at least one of the couple or the parents of either the bride or groom, must be registered parishioner at St. Patrick's in order to have your wedding here.

  • No. Even if only one of the two is Catholic you may still have a Catholic wedding.

  • If you’re interested in having your reception as St. Patrick Church, please let the marriage preparation coordinator know, and she can provide more information.

  • Yes, it is an option to have your wedding without Mass. This is often done when one of the guests is not Catholic.

  • Yes, however it is best to complete your wedding prep with your local parish where you attend Mass. You may have your wedding ceremony elsewhere once marriage preparation is complete. All the details for this arrangement will be worked out when you begin the marriage prep process with us. For more information on this, contact the marriage prep coordinator.

For more information and to start the wedding preparation process, contact Heather below! For information about Natural Family Planning, click here.

heather dent

Marriage Preparation Coordinator
810-229-9863 ext. 325
hdent@stpatchurch.org