STEPS IN PREPARING FOR A WEDDING  

These are the steps and the things that would be needed in preparing for a wedding:

• The priest or deacon who will perform the wedding will have an initial meeting with the couple to set the date and obtain basic information.  
• At other meetings, the bride and groom will fill out marriage forms that are standard in the Catholic Church, and both the bride and groom will have a relative or life-long friend fill out another form on their behalf called a "Witness Form."
• The bride and the groom will need to obtain a copy of their Baptism Certificate from the church or the diocese where they were baptized.  The certificate must be dated, showing that it was issued within 6 months of the date of the marriage. 
• There will be a pre-marital preparation program for the couple to attend.  It is either a series of meetings or a weekend retreat.
• Two witnesses will be selected.  Most often one is the Maid of Honor and the other is the Best Man.
• The couple will obtain their Marriage License from the County Recorder's office.
• There will be a rehearsal on the Thursday or Friday evening before the wedding. 

Other considerations 

• As part of the donation to the church, one flower arrangement is provided.  The couple will provide the church information on the color scheme of the wedding so that the flowers can be coordinated to match.
• Additional flowers for the sanctuary and pew ends, and aisle runners/red carpet runners, are not provided by the parish.  The couple will need to contract with a florist or rental company directly.  
• The couple can select one of the musicians and/or vocalists that frequently serve at the parish to provide music, or they can hire a mariachi that is familiar with the music and of the Catholic Mass.