At Least Six Months Before the Wedding

1. Let us know that you would like to participate in our marriage preparation program Submit the request to begin marriage preparation  or call the Marriage Preparation Office (480-967-7823) to schedule an initial meeting.
2. Commit to Spiritual Formation Throughout your preparation process, you are encouraged to solidify your spiritual foundation with God and as a couple through the devotion of time and effort toward spiritual activities such as reading Scripture, attending Mass, and participating in seminars or activities that help deepen your faith. Such a joint undertaking would show responsible attention to spiritual preparation for your marriage.
3. Attend Prenuptial Meeting At this meeting, you will have an opportunity to review the requirements of the marriage preparation program and begin the necessary paperwork. If you are being married at the Newman Center, no firm wedding date may be set until after this meeting, so we recommend that you do NOT reserve a reception hall, caterer, and so forth until you fulfill this requirement. Plan to bring:
   • a photo of yourselves together
   • a completed relationship timeline
   • $100 marriage preparation fee (cash or check made out to the Newman Center). The fee is $150 for those who are members of another parish.
4. Take the FOCCUS Premarital Inventory At the prenuptial meeting you will be given pass codes to take the online version of the FOCCUS premarital inventory, a tool that aids couples in furthering dialogue about the issues pertinent to married life. More information.
   After completing the FOCCUS, you will be paired with a sponsor couple, a married couple with whom you will meet to discuss some of the areas from the FOCCUS inventory. Alternately, you may have the option to review the FOCCUS with a member of the marriage preparation team.

Five Months Before the Wedding

1. COMPLETE THE REVIEW OF THE FOCCUS with your sponsor couple or with the member of the marriage preparation team. This usually involves one to two meetings.
2. SUBMIT ALL NECESSARY PREMARITAL DOCUMENTATION: The following items must be submitted to the Marriage Preparation Office:
   • Baptism Certificates: For Catholics, the baptism certificate must be issued within 6 months prior to the wedding date. You can request the certificate from the church where you were baptized and have it sent directly to you. Baptized non-Catholics may provide a copy of their baptism certificate. An original is not required.
   • Affidavits of Free Status: These are sworn, sealed statements, usually by parents if they are living, that you have never been married before and have no impediments to marriage in the Catholic Church. Instructions for this form will be given to you at your prenuptial meeting.

Four Months Before the Wedding

1. COUPLE EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT
   1. Marriage Preparation Classes: Classes are held once a week from 7-9 p.m. at the Newman Center and meet for six consecutive weeks. Topics include Personality Differences, Family of Origin, Expectations of Marriage, Spirituality of Marriage, Sharing Finances and Household Maintenance, Sexuality & Intimacy, Couple and Family Spirituality, Communication, and Parenting. See our upcoming class dates or register for an upcoming class series.
      If you are unable to attend these classes, or if you are entering a second marriage, you can explore a few other options offered by the diocese and other organizations.
   2. Natural Family Planning Intro Class: The diocese requires that you attend an introductory class on Natural Family Planning, an effective and safe method of family planning supported by the Catholic Church. Class locations, dates, and times are available here.
2. EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES
   1. Couple Spirituality: Occasionally, the Newman Center may offer a half-day workshop incorporating the BRIDGES inventory, a tool to assist couples in expanding their dialogue with one another about religious and spiritual beliefs and preferences. It is particularly beneficial for interfaith couples, but any couple wishing to deepen their spirituality together is invited to attend. If you would like to be notified when this program is scheduled, please e-mail Carrie Powell in the Marriage Preparation Office.
   2. Referrals: Referrals may be made for additional counseling, communication seminars, workshops, or for specific issues related to alcoholism, family of origin, or physical or sexual abuse.

Three Months Before the Wedding

1. BEGIN PLANNING YOUR LITURGY. Together as a couple, begin thinking about the type of liturgy you would like to have, the Scripture passages you would like read, the vows you would like to say, and so forth. The Together for Life book given to you at your initial prenuptial meeting will guide you through this process. If you are being married by a Newman Center priest/deacon, you will meet with him about a month before your ceremony to discuss your preferences.
2. MEET WITH THE MUSIC DIRECTOR. Contact Carmen Hinze to make arrangements for music at your wedding (if you will be married at the Newman Center). If you are planning to hire your own musicians, make sure they can play a Catholic Mass. Carmen will answer any questions you may have about this.

Two Months Before the Wedding

1. OBTAIN A MARRIAGE LICENSE. For Arizona weddings, a marriage license may be obtained at the Marriage License Office. For information, locations, and fees, visit the Maricopa Marriage License Office website or call 602-506-3360. If you are being married in another state, you must obtain your marriage license in that state.
2. CONTACT THE MARRIAGE PREP OFFICE at 480-967-7823 to make sure your file is complete.

One Month Before the Wedding

1. SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH YOUR CELEBRANT, Father Fred or Father James, to go over your plans for your liturgy and any last-minute details or concerns (if you are being married at the Newman Center).

After the Wedding

1. A wedding is a one-day event, but living the sacrament of marriage is a daily process for the rest of your lives! We encourage you to participate in our Young Married Couples group. Please watch the bulletin and check our Web site for additional opportunities to continue to strengthen your marriage through workshops, activities, adult education, retreats, anniversary blessings, and so forth offered through the Newman Center and the diocese.

Please click here to see an abbreviated checklist

STEP 1 - Premarital Inventory

• Take the online FOCCUS (at least 6 months before the wedding)
• Set aside time to discuss the FOCCUS together as a couple (about 2 hours)
• Meet with a sponsor couple or member of the marriage ministry team to review the FOCCUS

STEP 2 - Marriage Skills and Education

• Register for marriage prep classes (online at www.newman-asu.org)
• Complete the Keirsey Temperament Sorters and bring this to the first marriage prep class
• Choose and commit to ways you will deepen your couple spirituality during your engagement
• Participate in the Engaged Couple Blessing during a Newman Center weekend Mass
• Register to attend an introductory Natural Family Planning (NFP) class (www.phxnfp.org)

STEP 3 - Paperwork

• Call the church where you were baptized (if Catholic) to request an original baptismal certificate. This needs to be done when you are less than 6 months to the wedding date.
• Bride and groom each ask two parents or relatives to come to the Newman Center front desk to complete an Affidavit of Free Status form. _{(The person will be interviewed and should not fill out the form on his/her own.)}

STEP 4 - Planning Your Wedding Liturgy

• Using the Together for Life book, plan your wedding liturgy (choosing readings, prayers, etc.).
• Attend a Newman Center liturgy planning workshop, offered once each semester, or meet with the Liturgy Director to begin planning your wedding.

STEP 5 - Follow-up Meeting

• Schedule a second meeting with the marriage preparation coordinator at least 6 weeks prior to the wedding if marrying at the Old Church and at least 8 weeks in advance if marrying elsewhere. Bring the following items with you:
  • Completed FOCCUS for the Future worksheets (one per person; rec'd at FOCCUS review)
  • Baptismal certificate for each Catholic (and envelopes in which certificates were mailed)
  • Certificate of completion for NFP introductory class or online class
  • Certificate of completion for marriage prep classes if taken outside of the Newman Center
  • Names of 2 witnesses at the wedding (usually best man and maid/matron of honor)
  • Home address after the wedding