Guidelines for the Engaged

In the next few paragraphs we will briefly describe the process of Catholic marriage preparation here in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Many couples do not learn about the process of Catholic marriage preparation until they are engaged, so you are not alone if you are uncertain about what to do. On the other hand, never assume that you know all that you need to know! There are some basic steps to follow, resources to help you, and a whole community who wants to support you. Your first step is to contact your pastor.

1. Contact your pastor

The clergy in your parish will be your guide, teacher, advisor and counselor throughout your preparation. Contact your pastor and arrange an appointment to meet with him or one of the priests or deacons of the parish. It is generally recommended that you have this first meeting at least six months before the date you wish to marry.

If you don’t belong to a parish at this time, click here to find one near you.
At this first meeting, you will get to know him and he will get to know both of you. Among other things, you will discuss the process of marriage preparation, questions and concerns, and what requirements you may need to fulfill. You’ll begin to plan the tasks and activities for the months ahead and get a sense of how much time you may need to complete them.
You may meet with your priest or deacon any number of times over the course of your engagement, depending on your needs.
He will offer guidance about liturgy and wedding planning and/or refer you to those in the parish who will help you.

2. Special circumstances

One of the subjects you’ll be discussing is your freedom to marry. Any prior marriage either of you had to a spouse who is still living can affect your freedom to marry each other. The Church recognizes marriages made outside the Catholic Church and marriages between non-Catholics. Your priest or deacon will need to address this with you before you set a wedding date.
If you are to be married in a Catholic parish outside of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, you should still contact your clergy here. They may need to coordinate with the clergy officiating at your wedding to ensure everything necessary has been done.
If you are a Catholic but would like to have your marriage ceremony in a place other than a Catholic Church, it is important that you discuss this with your pastor at the beginning of your marriage preparation process.

3. Attend a marriage preparation program

Often your marriage preparation plan will include participating in one or more of the various marriage preparation programs available to you in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The Office of Formation and Discipleship offers several different types of programs and also coordinates with other Catholic groups offering programs that are of approved quality. This variety will help ensure that you and your priest or deacon can choose what will best meet your needs.

These programs welcome everyone, whether or not you are Catholic. In the Office of Formation and Discipleship’s PreCana workshops, for example, close to half of the participants are inter-religious couples.
You should already be working with a priest or deacon before you register for any of these programs.
Don’t wait until the last minute to register, workshops can fill fast.
Sometimes parishes also have their own programs for couples, such as the For Better and Forever Sponsor Couple Program. If so, your priest or deacon will discuss this with you.

Click here for a description and registration information of marriage preparation programs in the Archdiocese of Atlanta