At Least Nine 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
   • $125 marriage preparation fee (cash or check made out to the Newman Center). The fee is $175 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.

Eight to Nine 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  two or more 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 9 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 or to the Newman Center. Baptized non-Catholics may provide a copy of their baptism certificate. A new original is not required for non-Catholics.
   • 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.

Seven to Eight Months Before the Wedding

1. COUPLE EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT
   1. Marriage Preparation Classes: Each semester, one series of weekly classes are held on six Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at the Newman Center. Alternately, one Friday evening-Saturday series is offered each semester. Topics include Personality Differences, Family of Origin, Expectations of Marriage, Spirituality of Marriage, Budgeting and Finances, Sexuality & Intimacy, Couple and Family Spirituality, Communication and Conflict Resolution. 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. God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage: This one-day or two-evening workshop is based on John Paul II's Theology of the Body and will teach you what the Church teaches about marriage and sexuality and the reasons behind the teachings. You will register for this course directly through the diocesan website, and this course is taken after you have completed the married life skills course.
   3. Natural Family Planning Course: To ensure that you have the tools to plan your family effectively and in accord with God's plan for marriage, you will have the opportunity to learn about 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.
   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. Please plan ahead if you would like to apply for the Arizona Covenant Marriage License, which requires obtaining a notarized statement from us that you have participated in marriage preparation. 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 James or Father Stephan, to go over your plans for your liturgy and any last-minute details or concerns (if you are being married at the Newman Center).
2. TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION, if Catholic, as part of your preparation for the sacrament of Matrimony.

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.
2. 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.

Click here to view an abbreviated checklist.