Gonzalo Vega

Nowadays it is possible to personalize the wedding vows, to put them to music with contemporary songs and even to break away from the traditional wedding attire.

There are many details that can make the difference between one religious ceremony or another. However, the protocol for a Catholic marriage is still strict, from the preparation months ago, to the moment of exchanging the wedding rings and various symbols that characterize it.

If you've already decided on the date you plan to get married, then you're ready to take your first steps down the aisle.

1. Choose the parish and set a date with the priest. 2.

Marcela Nieto Photography

In order to have no problem with the date set for the wedding, the first thing you should do is to choose the place to celebrate it and book it in advance, ideally, about eight to six months before of the nuptial bond.

And since parishes are defined by territory, grouping all the faithful who live within certain limits, the ideal is to look for and choose a church near the home of at least one of the bride and groom. Otherwise, they will have to request a transfer notice, which consists of an authorization from the pastor to get married in a place outside that jurisdiction.

While this point is important, you should also consider other practical matters when choosing a church, such as the financial contribution requested, the capacity, whether it is easily accessible for the guests, whether it has parking facilities and whether it is architecturally satisfactory.

Then, once the parish is selected, the next step will be to make an appointment with the priest for the "marriage information".

2. Prepare the necessary documents

Moises Figueroa

But before meeting with the parish priest, they will have to gather all the required background information. Among the requirements for marriage in the Catholic Church is that the "marriage information" must be presented with their valid identity cards and baptismal certificates of each one, no more than six months old.

In addition, if you are already married by civil marriage, you must show your marriage certificate. If one of the bride and groom is widowed, you will have to show the death certificate of the spouse or the family record book. And in case of nullity, you must show a copy of the confirmatory decree.

Now, if you do not have your baptismal certificate, there are several ways to get it. The most direct way is to go to the church where you were baptized and request the certificate in person. If it was in another region, you can do it online. But if you do not remember where you received the sacrament, you should go to the archdiocese or diocese that corresponds to you, depending on the provinces.Each church has a central archive that manages the record books of the sacraments granted in their respective churches.

To find the document, they must provide their full names and dates of birth, the names of their parents, the town or city where the baptism took place, and the exact or approximate date of the baptism.

However, a third option is an affidavit. If it is certain that the sacrament took place, but there is no record, a replacement document may be requested if it can be satisfactorily demonstrated that the person was baptized, for example, by presenting his or her godparents as witnesses to the event.

3. Interview with the priest

WPhotograph

With the documents collected, the time will come to meet with the parish priest, together and separately to render the "matrimonial information".

They must be accompanied by two witnesses, not relatives, who have known them for more than two years. If this is not the case, then four people will be required, all with current identity cards. These witnesses will attest to the legitimacy of the union before the parish priest, inasmuch as both bride and groom will marry of their own free will.

According to canon law, the purpose of the "matrimonial information", also known as the "matrimonial file", is to ascertain that nothing opposes a licit and valid celebration of the sacrament. It is canon law that grants legislative power to the Episcopal Conference and assigns the mission of carrying out this investigation to the parish priest.

4. Attend the mandatory premarital course.

Rustic Kraft

The courses or premarital talks are a requirement for marriage in the Catholic Church, so that couples can enter into the sacred bond.

Generally there are four sessions, of approximately one hour to 120 minutes, in which different topics are addressed through theoretical and practical exposition, including issues that concern the future spouses, such as communication in the couple, sexuality, family planning, parenting, home economics and faith.

The talks are guided by monitors or catechists, specially prepared by the Church to carry out this work. The majority are couples with or without children, thus making visible the different realities that exist today. And it will depend on each parish if the courses are particular, for a couple, or in groups, which usually do not exceed three.

Once they have completed the talks, they will be given a certificate to complete the "marriage file". And if for some reason they need to do the talks in a parish that is not where they will be married, it is also possible to do so if they can justify their reasons.

The prenuptial talks are usually free of charge, although you may be asked to make a donation as an offering.

5. Choose godparents and witnesses

Gonzalo Silva Photography and Audiovisual

In addition to the non-relative witnesses who will accompany them to the "marriage information", they must choose at least two other witnesses for the ceremony. They will have the mission of signing the marriage certificates for the Catholic Church, validating that the sacrament has been celebrated. And although they can be the same as in the previous step, they are usually different, since this time they are allowed to befamily members.

They are known as "godparents of the sacrament or wake", although technically they are witnesses. The concept of godparents, therefore, is rather symbolic in a church marriage. But if they wish to be surrounded by a large entourage, they can also designate "ring bearers" from among their loved ones, who carry and present the rings during the ritual. To the "godparentsThe "godparents of arras", who give thirteen coins representing prosperity, and the "godparents of lazo", who surround the bride and groom with a ribbon as a symbol of sacred union.

To the "bible and rosary sponsors", who carry both objects to be blessed at the ceremony, and to the "cushion sponsors", who arrange the kneeler in representation of the prayer.

To select your godparents, choose among your closest family members and friends who ideally also profess the Catholic religion. In this way, beyond the close bond that unites you, you will find in them a guide and accompaniment on the path of faith.

If this is what you wish and you opt for a large procession, including witnesses, godparents and pages, for practical reasons it is advisable to coordinate in advance the order in which they will enter and leave the church.

6. Contract all necessary suppliers

Leo Basoalto & Mati Rodríguez

The first thing you should know is that there is no charge for the religious sacrament. However, in most churches, temples or parishes, there is no charge for the sacrament. a financial contribution is envisaged In fact, depending on the location, size, season or other factors, you will find prices ranging from $50,000 to over $500,000.

On the other hand, when booking the church, find out what is included in the religious service, whether it is the carpets, flowers or, simply, the implements for the mass or liturgy. This way you will know in advance which suppliers you should hire, taking into account the music (live or packaged), the decoration (interior and exterior), the lighting and the air conditioning, among other services.

But there are some parishes that work with specific vendors, and while this will close off possibilities, it will make it easier for you to coordinate with brides and grooms who are getting married on the same day, so you can share the costs. For example, in the case of seating decorations or floral arrangements for the entrance arch. And if you're thinking of tracking down a confetti supplierFinally, you will also need to hire a caterer if you want to set up a welcome sign, personalize the missals and/or hand out wedding ribbons at the end of the ceremony.

Following these six steps will greatly simplify the organization of your church wedding, although there are still a few things to do, such as selecting the readings, rehearsing the walk, and choosing the gold rings with which you will seal your love at the altar.