A covenant of life, faith, and love.
In Christian marriage, a couple makes a public, lifelong covenant before God and the community: and becomes a small church of its own, a home where faith is lived and handed on.
A gift of grace
Christian marriage is a public covenant of faithful love, blessed by God and lived as a domestic church.
A call to grow
Preparation gives the couple unhurried time for prayer, paperwork, conversation, and practical readiness.
How Marriage begins
- 1
Contact the priest
Begin at least six months before your hoped-for wedding date.
- 2
Begin paperwork
The parish confirms freedom to marry and required documents.
- 3
Prepare together
Marriage preparation gives the couple time to pray and talk seriously.
- 4
Celebrate
The couple makes a public covenant before God and the Church.
What to prepare
Contact your parish priest at least six months before your hoped-for wedding date, so there is unhurried time for preparation.
- Preferred wedding date and church
- Names, contact information, and parish connection
- Baptism certificates issued within six months
- Any previous marriage or pastoral circumstance to discuss
Contact the priest at least six months before the hoped-for wedding date.
In celebrating the union of two people committed to each other for life, the Christian community sees a public covenant: a promise made before God and the parish to live as faithful Christians in the world, and to build what the Church calls a domestic church: a home where children are raised in the faith.
Because this commitment is public and Christian by nature, the ceremony takes place in the church building, ideally the couple's own parish church. A priest or deacon must be present as the Church's official witness: but it is the couple who administer the sacrament to each other.
Preparing for marriage
We take marriage seriously, which is why we provide a period of preparation to help every couple begin married life well. Please contact your parish priest at least six months before the wedding. Couples may also enjoy the video series 'Marriage: God's Design for Life and Love' on Formed: our parish subscription makes it free (sign up at signup.formed.org with 'RCCV: St James').