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 requirements 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 sessions to become a mentor couple or starting a program in your parish can be found at our 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.

Are you interested in joining a community of couples who minister to engaged couples?
Contact the CEE community at [email protected].

ECHO Retreats for Engaged Couples is now an option for marriage preparation!

Did you or your future husband/wife go on an ECHO Retreat in the past and loved its enriching community and content?  Do you want to build on what you've learned about yourselves through your marriage preparation and retreat / workshop to be the strongest couple you can be?

The ECHO Community now offers an ECHO: Engaged Couples Retreat.  This weekend gives engaged couples the chance to grow deeper in relationship with God and each other in an environment of true freedom and secure love. Inspired by St. John Paul II's life and teachings, couples prepare meaningfully to enter into the sacrament of marriage in the context of authentic community with other couples and mentors. 

Couples who attend ECHO: Engaged Couples Retreats in 2024 and 2025 will fulfill their marriage preparation instruction in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

The 2024 Retreat took place Feb. 23-25. Visit back here regularly for more information on the 2025 Retreat.

From dynamic talks and life-giving discussions to daily access to the Sacraments and quality time with your fiancé / fiancée, ECHO offers the perfect way to prepare for a lifetime of love together.  Toss in art, music, silent prayer, and so much more -- this is a weekend like no other!

Learn more at echoretreats.com/engaged

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 for a certificate of completion to be received. [Part A then Part B is preferred, but Part B then Part A is allowed.] 

For those who are separated by distance or are otherwise unable to take advantage of an in-person marriage preparation program, Agape Catholic Ministries' CatholicMarriagePrep.com is an option couples can use.  
 

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 on select workshops. 
(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 [email protected] to inquire about registering for Re-Marriage Preparation.