What is Catholic Marriage?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes marriage as a, "covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (CCC 1601).
From the beginning, marriage has been a part of God's plan that is oriented toward eternal participation in "wedding feast of the lamb" (Rev 19:7,9). Marriage is an, "image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man and is intended to be fruitful" (CCC 1604).
Congratulations on your engagement!
This is a beautiful journey and the Our Lady of the Lake community is excited to be part of your big day.
We recommend getting started nine months in advance of your wedding to complete marriage preparation.
Start by completing the Bride & Groom Profile forms below, and tell us a little bit about yourself and your plans.
Frequently asked questions
When can we secure our wedding date?
Wedding dates are scheduled only AFTER talking to the priest or Deacon. The typical marriage preparation process is at least six to nine months. Please delay reserving venues for receptions/dinners until you have contacted a parish priest to discuss your engagement and wedding. Not all dates at the church may be available due to parish events or other conflicts.
What is the marriage preparation process?
The Witness to Love (WTL) Mentor Program is a core component of marriage preparation for engaged couples at OLL. The goal of the program is to connect the engaged couple with a married couple in the parish, and through them, to others in the parish community. The couples ideally meet once a month for six sessions using a guidebook and videos for framing the discussion.
When can we get married?
Most weddings in the parish are scheduled for Saturdays at 1:30 PM and rehearsals the evening before at 5:00 PM. Please discuss the details with the marriage coodinator when you first meet.
What does it cost to get married in the Catholic Church?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2121), receving the Sacrament of Matrimony is not for sale. However, it is appropriate to contribute to the support of the parish who will spend time preparing for your day and the physical upkeep of the church building. Financial circumstances should not prevent a couple from getting married at OLL.
Let us get to know each of you
Take time to complete these bride/groom profile forms before you meet with the Deacon or Priest for the first time.
Contact us