Hi, I would like to know what sacraments are required to marry in a catholic church (I’ve been baptised, and have received confirmation and eucharist.) Do I just contact a local church and schedule a meeting to meet with the preist and let him know about my intention to get married in the church? Is there a class I have to take prior to getting married and how long does it last? Please clarify. Thanks.
Yes, usually the prospective spouses take a class. In my day it was called pre-Cana. Other places call it marriage preparation. Depending on the individual parish the series can last over a period of several days to a few months; sometimes they have ‘back to back’ Saturday sessions over a 2-3 week period for example, sometimes it is every Saturday for 8 weeks, etc.
Usually a couple marries at the parish church of either the groom or bride. If you’re in the process of moving, or you’re students and you want to get married right before/after graduation when it’s easier for people to travel etc., you might be getting married at a church near your school.
The best thing is to call the priest and to ask him what the guidelines would be. Some priests already have their churches ‘booked’ for certain dates well in advance. They will probably ask you to fax them copies of your baptismal record, first communion, confirmation, etc. (also your prospective spouse). They may wish to speak with you on parish guidelines. Many parishes have paid musicians/ organists/soloists who do the weddings and so they might not be able to accommodate you if you want your best friend the guitarist to handle the liturgical music. But some welcome ‘outside’ musicians. Some parishes have strict guidelines over what music is permitted at a Mass setting (IOW, they frown on the couple coming down the aisle to Meatloaf’s Two Out of Three Aint’ Bad).
Some have parish halls that can be rented for the reception (and again, they can have guidelines too depending on many things. A ‘dry’ county in Kansas will allow different things served at the parish hall than the local hall in Brooklyn.) Some parishes are very small and don’t have a separate hall. Or you might be planning a reception in a completely different venue and would want to tell the priest you only wish to have the Mass but not the reception there. Lots to think about.
Many churches have a rule (but not 'iron clad) that couples seeking to marry must contact the priest at least 6 months in advance of the wedding, mainly in order for the priest to make sure the couple has time to do everything that needs to be done. So the best thing is to call the priest and get things started. Good luck and God bless.
