Step-by-Step Marriage Preparation for Couples

Congratulations and blessings as you prepare for this journey! These simple steps will get you started. Our office is here to accompany you as you walk through every curve and mountain and to provide the resources you need for a lifelong, happy marriage.  The steps may look a bit different if this is a second marriage but the First step is always the same.

1. Call your parish. Soon after your engagement, contact the parish where you are registered or the church where you intend to be married and set up a meeting with a priest or deacon to begin the process. He or a designated pastoral minister will walk through the following steps with you.  Most priests meet with couples to discuss the sacrament of marriage.

2. Complete the Prepare-Enrich inventory and participate in follow-up. This inventory/questionnaire will help identify the strengths and areas of growth as a couple. Once you have completed the inventory, you will meet several times with the marriage preparation minister at the parish or a marriage mentoring couple to discuss the results of the assessment.  

3. Participate in a Pre-Cana Day. Pre-Cana is a retreat for couples engaged to be married for the first time in a Catholic Church. Click HERE for more info on Pre-Cana days.  If this is a second marriage or Convalidation, marriage mentoring is suggested.  

4. If your Pastor requires NFP; Complete a course in Natural Family Planning (NFP) through Couple-to-Couple League or a local instructor. One of the greatest benefits of NFP is its positive impact on marital stability. Couples who complete and practice NFP are 95% less likely to divorce. Click on the link below to sign up for an NFP course.   They offer the Classes in Spanish and will train instructors.

Couple-to-Couple League                              Spanish Version 

5. Schedule a final meeting with the marriage preparation minister to prepare the liturgy for your wedding. Three to four weeks prior to your wedding date, you will need to schedule a meeting with the marriage preparation minister to finalize your marriage file and discuss details for the ceremony.

6. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Before entering into marriage, couples should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation shortly before the wedding day. Contact your parish to determine times available for this Sacrament.

Always remember that marriage is an ongoing journey. Contact your parish or our office if you have more questions.