344 W. Workman St., Covina, CA 91723
626.332.3570 / info@sacredheart.cc
626.332.3570 / info@sacredheart.cc
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Marriage Checklist
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- Submit your initial information: The first step in your journey starts here. On the wedding page, simply submit some basic information, and we will forward it to the priest or deacon that you request. We kindly request that you contact us six months prior to your desired wedding date. Weddings normally take place Saturdays at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm.
- Meet with a priest: Next, one of our priests or deacons will contact you and set a date to meet you, discuss any questions you might have, and if you are ready, reserve a date on the parish calendar. There is a $100 deposit to reserve a date for your ceremony in the church.
- Baptismal Certificate: You will want to be sure to get started on this item as soon as possible. For all Catholics, the Church requires a newly reissued baptismal certificate from the parish of your baptism, dated within the past six months. Your baptismal parish should also provide notations on the back of the certificate for any subsequent sacraments you have received (First Communion, Confirmation, and Holy Matrimony). Any non-Catholic Christians are also requested to provide a baptismal record. If you were baptised in another country, please contact the church as soon as possible as this may take time.
- First Communion and Confirmation certificates: In the case that your other sacraments aren't noted on your reissued baptismal certificate, you will need to provide these certificates (either the originals or reissued certificates from the parish in which they were received).
- Marriage Preparation: You are required to complete a marriage preparation program prior to your wedding date. Sacred Heart offers our own preparation via our Couples Gatherings, which happen twice a month. These sessions cover a variety of topics pertinent to the health of your marriage, including communication issues, how to deal with conflicts, and spirituality.
- Testimony of Freedom to Marry (Witness Forms): There are two forms required for each party, bride and groom. Each party will give these forms to two "witnesses," someone who has known you since you were of marriageable age (most likely a parent or sibling) and can testify that you are free to marry in the Catholic Church. The witnesses will take the forms to a Catholic parish (or public notary, in the event that the person is not able to go to a Catholic parish), and the parish office will help you to fill them out and stamp them with the parish seal. All four forms must be returned to the Sacred Heart parish office by one month prior to the wedding date. Click here to download the forms.
- Planning the ceremony: Part of your preparation will be to choose the readings and prayers that will be used in the wedding, using the "Together for Life" book. There is a form in the back of the book that you will fill out and turn in to the Sacred Heart Parish Center at least one month in advance of the wedding date.
- The marriage license: You will need to obtain a marriage license from the county registrar within three months of your wedding date. We cannot marry you on your wedding day without one! Be sure to designate two witnesses to sign the license directly after your ceremony. You should have the license no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date.
- Prenuptial Inquiry: Church law requires us to interview the bride and groom separately to confirm that there are no impediments to your marriage.
- Wedding coordinator: About a month prior to the wedding date, you will speak with our in-house wedding coordinator to discuss the details of your ceremony and schedule a Wedding Rehearsal, which normally takes place a day or two before the wedding. The coordinator will be present and available prior to and during the ceremony to provide assitance to florists, photographers, musicians, and the wedding party.
- Music: If you are considering music for your ceremony, please visit our Music page here.
- Photographers/Videographers: Please direct your photographers/videographers to review our guidelines here.
- Fees: All fees are due one month prior to the wedding date. This includes fees for booking the church, music, wedding coordinator, and sacristan, as applicable. Wedding Fees