Getting Married in the Church

Congratulations! 

The Church joyfully anticipates the opportunity to celebrate with you this life-changing Sacrament that, as St. Paul tells us, is the image of Christ's love for His Church!

Click here to find Prayers and Blessings specifically for you and your families at this graced moment in your life!

Getting Started

Your first step is to contact your local parish priest or deacon at least 6 to 8 months before the wedding to work out a plan to prepare for your marriage in the Church (to better understand the process see the Steps to the Altar brochure).  Your parish priest or deacon will know which resources are available to you and will recommend the best possible marriage preparation given your particular circumstances.  Once you have spoken with your Priest or Deacon, you can use the links below to register for a program. 

If you are working with a priest or deacon from outside the Archdiocese, he can email or call the Office of Marriage and Family Life at (504) 861-6243 for information and guidance.

The Marriage Preparation Particular Law details the specific requierments for marriage preparation in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. For reference, the Particular Law for Marriage Preparation can be found here.

Programs for Marriage Preparation 

Parish-Based Mentor Couple Programs - A married couple, ideally from your parish, will meet with you a number of times to provide one-on-one companionship through the marriage preparation process.  When available, Parish-Based Mentor Couple Programs often provide the best context for couples preparing for marriage.  Contact your parish for more information and to register.

Already married and want to be a mentor couple for engaged couples?  Speak with your pastor, and then give us a call at 504-861-6243 to discuss options.  Registration for upcoming training to become a mentor couple or starting a program in your parish can be found in the Links section of the Parish Coordinator Page.  

Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE)  - CEE offers an in-depth, private, personal marriage preparation experience within the context of Catholic faith and values. Led by a team of trained married couples and a priest, engaged couples escape for a weekend to privately discuss many aspects of marriage, always from the viewpoint of your own relationship.

(Dates and Online Registration for Catholic Engaged Encounter Retreats can be found here.)

Are you interested in joining a community of couples who minister to engaged couples? Contact the CEE community at salvant@nocee.org..

Archdiocesan Days for the Engaged -  A two-day seminar held on separate Saturdays (Part A and Part B) from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  
Both Part A and Part B must be completed in either order [Part A then Part B is preferred, but Part B then Part A is allowed] for a certificate of completion to be received. 

Online Preparation - For those who are separated by distance or are otherwise unable to take advantage of an in-person marriage preparation program:

Special Marriage Preparation - For those who have already been married civilly and are now getting married in the Church (convalidation) or have already been living together for a substantial period of time, a one day seminar, which includes the REFOCCUS inventory. 
(Dates and Online Registration for Special Marriage Preparation can be found here.)

Re-Marriage Preparation - For those couples who are seeking remarriage in the Church, where at least one or both of the parties have been previously married to someone else. Please note that the term "previously married" applies even if the first marriage was outside of the Church. Couples whose annulments are pending may attend this one-day program; however attendance does not give a right to marry in the Church in such instances.

Contact the Marriage and Family Life Office at 504-861-6243 or mfl@arch-no.org to inquire about registering.