Marriage

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that ‘Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and concludes with a vision of “the wedding-feast of the Lamb.” Scripture speaks throughout of marriage and its “mystery,” its institution and the meaning God has given it, its origin and its end, its various realizations throughout the history of salvation, the difficulties arising from sin and its renewal “in the Lord” in the New Covenant of Christ and the Church.’

We will be honored that you choose St. Isaac’s for your wedding, and we welcome and congratulate you on your decision to marry in the Catholic Church. Marriage is an extraordinary blessing when lived out in the faith of Christ. The staff at St. Isaac’s is happy to share in this time of preparation and is dedicated to making sure you have the best possible start for your married life. Your marriage preparation will be spiritual and personal, but grounded in practical knowledge as well.

With that in mind we have provided this page, which highlights many of the important policies and procedures that will help with your planning and preparations. It is our goal to allow the wedding ceremony to accommodate each couple’s unique desires, however, we also ask for your understanding in respecting the guidelines of the parish.

From the Catechism (found on Vatican.va)

From the Code of Canon Law (found on Vatican.va)

Preparation

All couples preparing for marriage in the Catholic Church are required to participate in a church–sponsored Marriage Preparation program. While the marriage preparation process will vary depending on the particular circumstances of each couple, our parish typically utilizes the FOCCUS instrument [Facilitating Open Couple Communication] to assist engaged couples in the exploration of their expectations, as well as their communication and problem solving skills. A married facilitator couple meets with the engaged to facilitate the discussions. Please contact the church marriage coordinator by way of the parish office to discuss the requirements for your specific situation.

Marriage Preparation

Planning

Scheduling your Wedding

A firm date for your wedding should be set at least six months in advance of your anticipated wedding date. A meeting with the pastor or marriage coordinator is required to reserve your specific date. Registration in the Parish is required and on-going practice of the faith is presumed.

Ceremony Music

Couples should contact the Director of Music by way of the parish office to assist in coordinating the ceremony music. The Director of Music is responsible for ensuring that ceremony music follows the guidelines required for a catholic mass, therefore it is important that any request for outside musicians be discussed with the Director of Music prior to making any such arrangements. In addition, if needed, the Director of Music can help you arrange for excellent singers and instrumentalists as well as assist you in selecting music that reflects your personal preferences and conforms to liturgical guidelines.

Other Officiating Clergy

Couples whose wedding is to be witnessed by a priest or deacon who is not on staff at St. Isaac must request permission from the pastor.

Fees

The fee for weddings at the St. Isaac will vary between parishioners and non-parishioners. Each couple will need to pay a deposit, which can be discussed with our Marriage Coordinator and is given to the priest or deacon at the time of the first meeting. The wedding fee includes an offering for the church.

Day of Sacrament

Things to Remember

Show up early with your witnesses. Dress appropriately.

How You Can Help

We are always looking for volunteers to help our parish bring new members into the Catholic faith. Please contact our parish office for more information.