Checklist of Marriage Preparation Procedures
Each of these steps must be completed before your wedding ceremony can occur.

An engaged couple should begin formal preparation for marriage at least six months before their wedding date, and complete their preparation well in advance of (preferably three months before) their wedding.
(Archdiocese Common Marriage Preparation Procedure, October 15, 2006; ¶ 1)

1. Wedding Request Form
Marriage Preparation begins with filling out our Wedding Request Form. Upon receipt of the completed form you will be contacted within 10 days to set up your initial meeting with a priest or deacon.

2. Initial Interview with Parish Priest or Deacon
At this meeting, general information is gathered about the couple and the priest or deacon makes a preliminary decision as to whether or not there are any obstacles to the marriage. If no obstacles exist, the priest or deacon (not receptionist) can reserve the church for you for a certain date and time. It is also a good idea to set a rehearsal time. Weddings are scheduled at St. Michael’s on Fridays at 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Because of other scheduled liturgies, we cannot vary from these times. We discourage weddings during the season of Lent, because a wedding celebration does not fit into the penitential character of this season. There are also some other days during the Church year on which a wedding Mass is not allowed (Holy Days and Sundays). The priest or deacon who schedules your date will be aware of these parameters. Once the date has been set, we ask a $100 non-refundable deposit to confirm the date and time (see Wedding Contribution Policy in this packet).

3. Informational Meeting with Wedding Coordinator and Music Liturgist
Complete at least 3 months prior to the wedding
Please attend our tour and required informational meeting with the Wedding Coordinator. Meetings are held in St. Michael’s Atrium at noon on the first Friday of each month (with some exceptions). The Wedding Coordinator will conduct a tour of the Church and dressing area and discuss decorating options and what to bring to the rehearsal and wedding ceremony.It is our experience that this one hour planning meeting is very helpful, and we encourage you to attend early in your planning stage. Please reserve your spot by calling our Wedding Coordinator at 439-4400 ext. 255 or email jterwey@costm.org.

4. Sponsor Couple/Pre-Marriage Inventory
After the initial interview, a married couple from the parish will contact the couple preparing for marriage. This sponsor couple will administer the “Pre-Marriage Inventory.” A computer will analyze this standardized questionnaire, and the results will form the basis for some reflection and sharing between the married couple and the couple planning marriage.

5. Pre-Marriage Conference
Every couple intending to be married at St. Michael's is expected to take part in a pre-marriage conference. You will receive further information, plus a registration form at the time of your initial interview. Note: All couples participating in 12 hours of Marriage Prep are entitled to a $50.00 discount on their Marriage License. (Normal fee is $70.00 – Discounted fee is $20.00)

6. Natural Family Planning
Couples celebrating the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church are expected to know and understand the Church's teaching on openness to new life and the regulation of birth. Therefore, we ask that you complete a course in Natural Family Planning. This course is completed in three sessions. You will receive further information at your initial interview or go to one of the following websites for dates of upcoming classes www.archspm.org/family/ or www.ccli.org. NOTE: You should receive a certificate of completion from the instructors of the course. Bring this completed form to your last meeting with the priest/deacon.

7. Choose Your Musicians
See the separate page entitles “CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING MUSICIANS” for all information regarding your wedding music and musicians.

8. Completion of Wedding Ceremony (Liturgy) Planning Form & Decorations Forms
Please consult the Wedding Coordinator, jterwey@costm.org, as soon as possible after your initial meeting with the priest/deacon to begin planning your liturgy. Wedding planning courses are offered at various times throughout the year. Please refer to the schedule included in your wedding information folder for current times, and contact our Wedding Coordinator to sign up for one of the sessions.

9. Obtaining Necessary Documents
You are responsible for procuring all these necessary documents:

• Baptismal certificates
Catholic: Contact the church of your baptism to request a new baptismal certificate, which must be dated NO EARLIER THAN 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE WEDDING DATE. Photocopies are NOT acceptable. (Note: The baptismal certificate, besides being a verification of your baptism, also verifies that you have not been married before. This is the reason that it must be a recently issued certificate.)
Non-Catholic: A photocopy of your baptismal certificate is acceptable.

• Marriage license
A marriage license from any county within the State of Minnesota is needed. Go to the county license bureau to apply. It is valid for a period of 6 months from the date of issue. It is very helpful if you can submit all copies of your wedding license along with the names of your witnesses (Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man) to our Wedding Coordinator at least one week before the date of your wedding to give ample time to get the license prepared for the wedding.

• Other documents
The priest/deacon will tell you if other documents are needed for your particular situation.

10. Final Meeting(s) with Priest/Deacon
After you have completed steps 2-8 above, you are responsible for scheduling additional meeting(s) with the priest or deacon. This is to fill out the Pre-nuptial questionnaire, discuss the sacramentality of marriage and other issues, and to finalize your wedding liturgy.

At this final meeting, you will need to present:
• your marriage license (bring all copies if you have not already given them to our Wedding Coordinator).
• your certificate of attendance from an NFP course

11. If your plans to marry change
If your plans change, and you decide not to be married at St. Michael's Church, please immediately inform the priest or deacon with whom you were working.

We recommend that you begin these steps one full year before your wedding date.