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Marriage/ Matrimonio

- Initial meeting with a priest (6 Months to 1 year Before Wedding)
  Discuss guidelines, required documents, formation, set date, and location.
  Pre-Nuptial Inquiry Investigation for both the bride and the groom to be completed only by the priest or deacon.
  
  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
  Baptism Certificates: an updated certificate with notations (sacraments received) for the Catholic and other Christian Parties, must be dated within six months of the proposed wedding date. Contact your church of baptism for this certificate.
  First Communion and/or Confirmation certificates (if either party has received those sacraments)
  Marriage Certificate, if already in a civil marriage and seeking Church convalidation.
  California State Marriage License. Obtain from the County Clerk. Apply three months prior to wedding date.
  Freedom to Marry Forms. Two witnesses for each bride and groom will be asked to testify and sign that you are free to marry. Witnesses must attest and sign in the presence of the priest or delegated staff. (Parents, siblings, relatives, and close friends may act as witnesses).
  Dispensation or special permission form, if applicable. It is used in case of previous marriage(s), mixed religion, etc. Must be completed with the priest or deacon.
  
  REQUIRED FORMATION/INSTRUCTION:
  Engaged Encounter Retreat or Tarde Para Novios. Certificate of Completion issued upon completion.
  
  GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
  We have developed some guidelines for photography done in our church. Your photographers and videographers are welcome, and we ask them to respect the sacred nature of the wedding ceremony.
  If your photographers are not familiar with the layout of Sacred Heart, they are welcome to stop by to become acquainted with it.
  No flash pictures are allowed except during the entrance procession and during the recession at the end of the ceremony.
  Photographers and videographers should never interfere with the celebration of the ceremony or distract those in attendance. Their movement and noise should be held to a minimum, must be discreet and respectful of the church and not interfere with the flow of the ceremony.
  All picture-taking must be over with, and the wedding party must be out of the church by a ½ hour before the next event (scheduled at 11:00am, and 1:00pm).
  
  FLORAL DECORATION GUIDELINES
  During special seasons of the year, like Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, the church will be specially decorated. We ask that these decorations not be disturbed or tampered with in any way.
  The floral arrangements should be placed on stands or on the floor. They should be sufficient to fill the space and be in harmony with the proportions of the worship space. All flowers placed in the sanctuary are left there after the ceremony, as a thanksgiving offering to God.
  No runners are allowed.
  No flower petals, rice, or birdseed are allowed to be thrown inside the church
  Pew bows or flowers must be secured to the pews with rubber bands or covered floral wire only—No tape.
  There are a total of 22 pews on each side of the church.
- Required Sacraments:
  Baptism:
  At least one person in the couple must be baptized for the marriage to be considered a Sacramental Marriage in the Catholic Church. Usually, both are baptized Catholics, but a marriage between a baptized Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic Christian (called a mixed marriage) can be valid with permission.
  Not Required Sacraments:
  Confirmation:
  Confirmation is not required to get married in the Church, although many parishes encourage it before marriage.
  First Communion (Eucharist):
  Having received First Communion is not strictly required for marriage, but since it usually follows baptism, it’s common for baptized Catholics.
  Reconciliation (Confession):
  Confession is not required before marriage, but it’s strongly encouraged to prepare spiritually for this important step.

Sacred Heart Church

Salinas, CA

Marriage/ Matrimonio

Required Sacraments: