Marriage is one of the seven Sacraments and should be entered into with great reverence, discernment and preparation.  For this reason, we ask that couples wishing to get married at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick be actively participating in the Life of the Church prior to the wedding.

Weddings at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick are held on Saturdays at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Weddings during Advent and Lent, while not forbidden, are discouraged as they are not in keeping with the liturgical season. Only a priest can place a wedding on the Cathedral's wedding calendar so it is important that couples schedule their first marriage preparation meeting with a priest before starting any other wedding planning. 

The Cathedral of Saint Patrick welcomes a bride and groom to hold their wedding at the Cathedral if the bride and groom are free to be married (e.g., no prior valid marriages) are psychologically mature and capable of consenting to the marriage and if the bride and/or groom are Baptized, practicing Catholics who are either presently registered at The Cathedral of Saint Patrick under one’s own name, not a parent, or registered at another Catholic parish.  Please note - the Cathedral is not able to provide a priest or deacon to conduct marriage preparation or officiate at weddings for non-parishioners.

For couples who are not members of the Cathedral, a letter must be mailed to the pastor of the Cathedral from the pastor of the parish where the couple’s marriage preparation is taking place. The letter should include a statement that the bride and/or groom are active, registered members of the pastor’s parish; a statement that the pastor or someone he designates will conduct the couple’s marriage preparation; a statement that the pastor or someone he designates will officiate at the marriage ceremony; a request that the wedding date be added to the Cathedral’s wedding calendar; and contact information for the bride and groom including home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Once the letter has been received and review by the pastor at the Cathedral, a confirmation letter/email will be sent to the pastor and couple and the wedding date will be penciled in the Cathedral’s wedding calendar.

The Marriage Preparation Process
The goal of the marriage preparation program is to help you to be open to God's grace so that you can have a happy and fulfilling sacramental marriage. The marriage preparation process also seeks to foster a clear awareness of the essential characteristics of Catholic marriage - unity, fidelity, indissolubility, fruitfulness - and to help you discover the value of the sacraments and the experience of prayer. The program also provides education and support in the values concerning the defense of human life and the nature and importance of married sexuality, in keeping with the authentic teachings of the Church.

The couple will meet with a priest or deacon at least 4-5 times in order to complete all the necessary paperwork. The meetings with also enhance or initiate your relationship with the Church, to explain and invite you to reflect on and further appropriate the Church’s understanding of marriage, to establish your freedom to marry, to overview the whole preparation process, to plan the Wedding Mass or Ceremony, to ensure that all of the canonical and civil requirements for marriage are completed, and to invite you to live your married lives in communion with the Church.

In addition to your meetings with a priest or deacon, couples who complete their marriage preparation in the Diocese of Charlotte are required to attend a one day marriage encounter retreat. These workshops provide the couple a chance to explore various areas of marriage and family life and consist of presentations, panels, and small group discussions. They are offered in many locations throughout the Diocese of Charlotte. Visit the Marriage Workshop web page for a complete listing of times and locations.

Marriage Preparation Information and Links