FIRST, Congratulations on Your Engagement!

We are overjoyed that you are considering celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Your engagement is a beautiful season of preparation, joy, and discernment, and we are honored to walk alongside you during this important chapter of your lives.

In the Catholic Church, marriage is more than a ceremony — it is a sacred covenant and lifelong vocation rooted in faith, love, and commitment. Our goal is to help you prepare not only for your wedding day, but for a strong and holy marriage that lasts a lifetime.

First Steps

The first step in beginning wedding preparation at St. Ann’s is to contact the parish office before setting a wedding date or making venue arrangements.

We ask couples to contact the church at least 6–9 months prior to the desired wedding date to allow adequate time for sacramental preparation and scheduling.

During your initial conversation with the parish office, we will discuss:

• Desired wedding date and time
• Parish membership status (must be a registered member for at least 6 months)
• Previous marriages (if applicable)
• Sacramental history (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation)
• Preparation requirements
• Availability of clergy and church facilities

Please note that a wedding date is not considered official until it has been approved by the priest and placed on the church calendar.

Marriage Preparation Process

Each couple preparing for marriage at St. Ann’s will complete the following steps:

1. Initial Meeting

Meet with the priest or parish staff to begin the preparation process and discuss your relationship, faith journey, and wedding plans.

2. Required Documentation

Couples will be asked to provide:

• Recently issued Baptism certificates (dated within 6 months)
• Confirmation certificates (if applicable)
• Any necessary marriage or annulment documents from previous marriages

3. Marriage Preparation Program

Couples will participate in diocesan-approved marriage preparation, which currently includes:

• FOCCUS assessment
• Marriage preparation course with sponsor couple
• Natural Family Planning education

4. Wedding Liturgy Planning

Closer to your wedding date, couples will work with parish wedding staff to plan the details of the ceremony, including readings, music selections, and liturgical elements.

For Registered Parishioners

Registered and actively participating parishioners of St. Ann’s receive priority scheduling for weddings at the parish. We encourage couples to be active in the sacramental life of the Church throughout their engagement. 

For Non-Parishioner Couples

We joyfully welcome couples from outside our parish community who wish to celebrate their marriage at St. Ann’s. However, because our parish’s primary responsibility is to serve active parishioners, additional steps may be required for non-parishioner weddings.

Non-parishioner couples should expect:

• Coordination with their home parish and pastor
• Written permission or delegation from their pastor (when applicable)
• Completion of marriage preparation through their home parish or diocese
• Additional facility or scheduling guidelines
• Possible adjusted fee structure for use of the church facilities

Availability for non-parishioner weddings may be limited depending on the parish calendar and liturgical schedule.

We encourage non-parishioner couples to contact the parish office early in the planning process so we can help guide you through the next steps. 

We’re Here to Help

We understand that wedding preparation can feel overwhelming at times, especially when navigating both spiritual and practical details. Our parish staff is here to answer questions, provide guidance, and help make this process joyful and meaningful for you.

To begin the marriage preparation process or ask questions, please contact the parish office at (806) 655-3302

We look forward to celebrating this beautiful sacrament with you!