MARRIAGE INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS
General Guidelines

1.   A couple wanting to be married must contact one of the parish priests or deacons and also attend a Marriage Information Night a minimum of six months prior to the wedding date. This allows time for the couple for the couple to prepare to fulfill the Church's requirements for marriage.

2.   The wedding usually takes place in the church of the bride or groom. If one is not Catholic it takes place in the church of the Catholic party. One of the parties must have a connection with St. Bonaventure parish, e.g. graduate, former parishioner, received Sacraments here... Any exceptions to this norm must be discussed with the priest or deacon.

3.   Catholics who wish to be married should be living their Catholic faith. They should be participating regularly at Sunday Mass and be receiving the sacraments, especially Eucharist and Reconciliation (confession ).

4.   The wedding of two Catholics is normally celebrated within the context of Mass. When only one is Catholic the wedding may be celebrated within Mass or without Mass.

 

 Marriage Preparation Requirements

Couples must participate in a marriage preparation program.

Preparation for Christian marriage is far more than the gathering of required documents. At the heart of responsible marriage preparation stands the opportunity for you to reflect seriously  in a comprehensive and challenging way on the meaning of this important step in your lives. While reflection and in-depth sharing of your future together has undoubtedly already begun, the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Orange expects you to reflect on your life-long journey with other in the context of an approved marriage preparation program.

UNITAS is an 8 week marriage preparation program that is sponsored by Holy Spirit Church, Fountain Valley. (714) 963-1811.
ENGAGED ENCOUNTER is a weekend program providing an opportunity to dialogue about your future Christian life together. www.eeweekend.org
Both are endorsed by the Diocese of Orange

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Baptismal Certificate

The Catholic parties to be married need to submit a recent, newly issued, copy of their Baptismal certificate. This may be done by writing or telephone the parish of baptism and requesting a copy. You may also go in person.
Photocopies are not acceptable.

Those who are not Catholic, if baptized, are asked to present a record of their Baptism if possible. Photocopy is acceptable.

Confirmation Certificate

Catholic parties need to submit this document unless it is included on the reverse side of the baptism certificate.

Normally Catholic adults have been confirmed in the Church, nevertheless it is not an absolute requirement for marriage.

Letters of Freedom to Marry

These are sworn statements by parents, close relatives or long standing friends that the person who wishes to marry has never been married before and is free of any impediment to marriage in the Catholic Church. Two witnesses are needed for each party. These forms will be provided by your sponsor couple.

Sponsor Couples

These are trained married couples who walk with engaged couples during their time of preparation and who assist them as needed.

 Pre-nuptial Questionnaire

This brief questionnaire will be filled out by the priest or deacon, often at the first meeting with the couple

It is an official record of essential information and of the couple's understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church.

Readiness to Marry

To be certain that you are well prepared for the commitment of marriage and that you are both free to enter marriage the Bishop of Orange has asked us to observe the procedures listed below.

The priest or deacon may recommend special counseling and evaluation, at the expense of the couple, if any of the following circumstances exist:

 
  • Either party is under 20 years of age
  • Pregnancy
  • No means of supporting the family unit
  • Marked immaturity as exhibited by an absence of physical, intellectual and psychological development
  • Lack of comprehension and appreciation of the sacramental aspects of marriage
  • Non-practice of the Catholic faith
  • Refusal of the parties to participate in any preparation program
  • Reasonable objection to the marriage by a parent or guardian
  • One of both parties had a previous marriage or marriages - whether or not the marriage was performed in a Catholic church.

Each of these circumstances calls into question the advisability of marriage within the Church because any one of these circumstances could indicate that what God is offering in marriage and what you are offering are not the same.

If any of these circumstances exist, please alert the priest or deacon as soon as possible to help you.

The priests and deacons of the parish have the responsibility of helping those desiring marriage to assess their readiness to fulfill the requirements of marriage in the Catholic Church.

The priest or deacon will want to meet with the couple to explain the Church's requirements, to talk about the religious significance of the sacrament of marriage and to fill out necessary paperwork and to discuss the actual ceremony.

Civil License

A legal license to marry in the the state of California is required. It is obtained from the County Marriage License Office, e.g. in Santa Ana (714 834-3005). The wedding must take place within 90 days of the issuance of the license.

This document must be given to the priest or deacon no later than one month before the wedding. The wedding can not take place without the license in hand.

Inter-faith Marriages

Special permission of the bishop is required for an inter-faith marriage. The priest or deacon will assist you to obtain a dispensation.

The Catholic party promises to rear the children in the Catholic faith and to practice his/her faith regularly.

PROTOCOL FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY
Wedding Coordinator

The Wedding Coordinator will inform you about the protocol for the wedding service and will assist you at both the rehearsal and on the wedding day.

You will need to contact her once you have confirmed the date of the wedding to arrange for your rehearsal. A fee is required for her services. Rehearsals are usually held during the week of the wedding.

Setting the Date and Time

To reserve the church you must meet with the priest or deacon. He will confirm the availability of the church. No reservations will be made and no names will be written in the church reservation book until the priest or deacon has confirmed the date and time.

Times of Weddings

Saturday weddings are scheduled at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Weddings must begin on time so that the services that follow will not be delayed.

You and your guests should arrive a half hour before the scheduled time.

NOTE - You are advised not to make any reservations for reception halls or other activities concerning your wedding, and you should not pay any deposits for reception halls, catering, etc. until the date of your wedding has been confirmed by the priest or deacon. St. Bonaventure Church will not be held responsible for any contractual or financial arrangements that you make with any outside entities.

 

 Attire

The bride's dress and those of the attendants should be modest and reflect the sacredness of the church and the sacrament of marriage.

Attendants

A reasonable number of attendants are permitted. Flower girls and ring bearers should be at least six years of age.

Bride's Room

There is a small bride's room off the vestibule, near the entrance of the church, for last minute preparations.

Music

The music chosen for the wedding should reflect our belief that this is a sacred event, a celebration of the presence of God. The purpose of the music is to draw the heart and mind of those present to God and to the holiness of marriage. Religious music is in praise of God, not of man/woman and needs to be of a religious nature.

Please refer to the separate music information sheet for a list of our staff musicians whom you may contact for your wedding. Please contact them directly and as far ahead of the wedding date as possible.

Use of outside musicians is not encouraged and must be pre-approved by the Parish Music Director. Pre-approval is also required for use of the organ, of non-staff vocalists, musical selections. etc.

Receptions

The Parish hall is not available for wedding receptions

 

A FINAL NOTE CONCERNING YOUR WEDDING DAY

A wedding is a sacred event. It is the decision of two people to begin a partnership for the rest of their lives. In this partnership they are no longer two but are making a decision to become "one flesh" a "new creation" in the sight of God, cooperating with God in His plan of Creation and Salvation. The Church only requires that the couple be truly prepared and mature enough to make this decision, that there be two witness and the priest or deacon to witness their commitment.

Please keep these things in mind when planning your wedding. Also, extravagance is distracting; elegance is simple.

 

SCHEDULE OF FEES AND OTHER COSTS
The Church

A donation of $300 is suggested for registered parishioners. If not a member of the parish there is a fee of $400 for the use of the church.

Wedding Coordinator

Please use the envelopes provided to you by your wedding coordinator and give them to her at your rehearsal. She will distribute the envelopes to you. Cash only please. The fee for the wedding coordinator is $150.

 

 Altar Servers

A gift is suggested of $10 per server.

Musicians

Each instrumentalist's fee is $150. Cantor and organist fee is $125.

Clergy (priest or deacon)

The suggested offering is $100.