Marriage Preparation
Coordinator of Family Ministry - Dora Collins
720-283-4737 - dcollins@stmarylittleton.org
Please contact Dora at least eight months prior to your preferred wedding date.
Congratulations!
You have decided to marry in
the Catholic faith!
Becoming a married couple takes more than an exchange of wedding vows; it requires two people living in union with one another and with the Lord. The Catholic Church, as many other religions throughout the world, asks engaged couples to take time in preparing for marriage. The Archdiocese of Denver requires all of its parishes to provide an eight month minimum Marriage Preparation process for those considering marriage. This is not an eight-month waiting period, but rather a time for you to look seriously at your relationship in a structured, supportive way.
The Saint Mary Parish Marriage Preparation process is dynamic - constantly being reviewed and reevaluated by couples who experience it. For more than 17 years this program has grown to earn the reputation as one of the finest in the Archdiocese.
Getting Started
Contact Dora Collins at dcollins@stmarylittleton.org or 720-283-4737 in the Marriage Preparation Office who will guide you through the following steps.
- Select a tentative wedding date. This date should be reserved before the reception facility is booked.
- Schedule a meeting with a parish priest or deacon to complete the Marriage Application form.
- Attend an engaged couples weekend.
- Complete the FOCCUS questionnaire (a communication inventory), turn in paperwork, and pay fees.
- Participate in the Archdiocese of Denver workshop:God's Plan for a Joy-filled Marriage.
- Attend Natural Family Planning classes.
- Meet with your Mentor Couple to review the FOCCUS questionnaire.
- Meet with your Wedding Facilitator.
- Enjoy your engagement!
Scheduling and Paperwork
Days and Times
Weddings are usually scheduled on Saturdays at 10:00am or 1:30pm. Friday evenings are available at 5:00/5:30pm There are times when we cannot schedule weddings because of parish functions, liturgical preparations or because of special feasts during the Church Year Calendar. For instance, weddings are not celebrated during Lent, during the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday), Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The rehearsal is usually scheduled at 5:00pm the evening prior to the wedding. Rehearsals are 45 to 60 minutes in length and must begin on time. A Wedding Facilitator will conduct your rehearsal. Remember to bring your Marriage License to the rehearsal and leave it with your Facilitator.
Presider: Priest or Deacon
A priest or deacon from our parish is the usual official church witness for the Rite of Marriage. The Rite of Marriage is usually celebrated within a Mass if both bride and groom are Catholic. It is also possible for you to request a priest or deacon from another parish. This needs to be discussed early in the marriage preparation process.
Documents Needed
Documents that the engaged couple is responsible for obtaining or completing during St. Mary Parish Marriage Preparation Process are:
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MA form |
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CURRENT - Obtain from your church of baptism, no more than 6 months prior. For a non-Catholic partner, provide a baptismal form or letter with certification of baptism, if possible. |
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MB form |
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MC form - May be needed for various reasons, for example, the bride or groom is not Catholic. |
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These are good for 30 days. Bring to your rehearsal and leave it with your facilitator. |
Planning Your Ceremony
Wedding Decor
The church is a house of prayer, and so an atmosphere of reverence and respect must be maintained in the church at all times. Loud talking, smoking, eating, chewing of gum, drinking, and boisterous behavior is unacceptable in the church at any time.
The use of a UNITY CANDLE is optional during the wedding ceremony. If used, it needs to be in a unity candle holder on a separate table. (The altar is for sacred vessels only. No candles or flowers belong on the altar.)
Rice,Confetti, Bird Seed, Bubbles, Aisle Runners:
For insurance, maintenance, and safety reasons, these may NOT be used at the church.Balloons:
These are permitted to be released OUTSIDE the church.
Alcohol
There is to be no alcohol (hard liquor, beer, wine, or champagne) on the church premises during the wedding or rehearsal. Both the Church and the State of Colorado require that one must be of sound mind and free of any obstacles that prevent them to enter into marriage. If there is any evidence of such, the wedding can be cancelled immediately. This policy also holds for any use of illegal drugs. Please make sure that the wedding party is aware and understands the importance of this Church and State policy.
Photography/Videotaping
A wedding is a prayer event! The lower the profile on the photography during the ceremony, the better. Photographers and those videotaping should be appropriately dressed, and are asked not to move around during the ceremony. They are not to interfere with the furnishings of the church. They should not be in the sanctuary area during the ceremony, or in any way, be a distraction to the wedding celebration. They should stay off to the side and behind the pew line so as to maintain the sacredness and dignity of the ceremony.
Music
The Marriage Preparation Office will provide you with suggestions of appropriate music and a list of musicians that are permitted to perform at St. Mary Parish for weddings.
The music selections and of musicians who are chosen must be submitted at least one month prior to the wedding. Contact Dora Collins at dcollins@stmarylittleton.org with your selections.
Musicians must receive payment at least one week prior to the wedding. Musicians will not perform without prior payment.
Schedule of Fees
Due to maintenance, security, processing, and time provided on behalf of your day, there are costs associated with the wedding preparation process. Please contact Dora Collins at dcollins@stmarylittleton.org or 720-283-4737 for a schedule of fees.
