The Sacrament of Matrimony

As you prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony, the Pastoral staff of  Santa Clara Parish shares in your joy. We are providing this information to assist you with the many details of preparing you for the worthy reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony, so that the two you may enjoy a prayerful celebration that reflects the Christian values we hold as Catholics. If you are interested about the Sacrament of Matrimony, please call our office to make an appointment with our clergy. Below, you will basic information regarding the process (appointments) to receive the Sacrament of Marriage: 

Please make your First Wedding Appointment by calling our office or online. The process consist of three meetings to go over the guidelines and requirements for the Sacrament of Marriage.
 

Noemí López, Wedding Coordinator
(805) 330-8220 or main office (805) 487-3891
 

If ready to take this step, please make an appointment with our priests or wedding coordinator:


 

 To schedule an appointment please call our office

 

First Wedding Interview Form

 

For your first appointment, the couple will meet with a priest or a deacon.  You will complete the Pre-Nuptial Inquiry (PNI) which determines your freedom to marry.  The general guidelines, costs, and requirements to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony at Santa Clara Parish or Chapel will be explained to you.  If there are no complications or impediments, you may reserve the wedding date with a $200 non-refundable deposit. The date must be booked at least six-months in advance. 

You will both be asked to bring copies of birth certificates along with recently completed (signed and sealed) certificates of Baptism, First communion, Confirmation.  In most cases, an signed and sealed baptism certificate with "Sacramental Notations" will suffice.   (Please be aware that if one of both of the parties was baptized out of county, it can take several months to receive an official copies of baptism certificates from the parish of record.)

During this first meeeting, a FOCCUS assessment link will be sent to you to be completed within 30 days.You will schedule a separate meeting or series or meetings to review FOCCUS results with a priest or deacon. 

 

This appointment is scheduled with our wedding document coordinator, Noemi.  Certificates of Baptism (updated copy), First Communion and Confirmation are presented. You will also receive information for Catholic Marriage Preparation Retreat (Engaged or Convalidation).  Please note that there is an additional cost for this retreat. Wedding date will be reconfirmed and information for selecting readings will be shared with couple. Couple will be reminded about the civil State of California marriage license and to have their Liturgy planning form completed by the third/last appointment. Rehearsal date and time will be given.
This meeting is usually 60-90 days after your first appointment.

Couple must bring Marriage License, proof of Catholic Marriage Retreat and selection of Bible Readings (Liturgy Planning Form). Couple will be reminded about celebrating the Sacrament of Confession. The ceremony must be paid-in-full by this time and no paperwork should be pending.

• When can we schedule our wedding?  You must first meet with a priest to determine your freedom to marry prior to scheduling your date.

• When are weddings celebrated at Santa Clara Church and Chapel?  Generally, on Saturdays at 10:00am, 12noon, and 2:00pm.  However, we can also schedule a wedding ceremony on Friday at 12:00pm or 2:00pm.

• Do both of us need to be present for the first appointment?  Generally, yes.  However, in case of military deployment or other out of state work requirements, provision can be made to meet on-line via Zoom or telephone.

• What is one of us is not Roman Catholic?  Please speak to your interviewing priest or deacon about the celebration of a wedding between a Roman Catholic and non-Catholic baptized person (mixed), or between a Roman Catholic and a non-baptized person (disparity of cult.)

• What if I or my fiance have previously been married?  If a former spouse is deceased, please bring the death certificate.  If the former spouse is still living, please bring all prvious marriage and divorce records to your first appointment for review of your situation. Almost certainly, more time will be needed to examine each case, and to possibly annul or declare invalid these prior bonds of marriage.

• What if we are living together?  Please speak with your initerviewing priest or deacon about this situation.

• Can we be prepared at Santa Clara Parish for a wedding in another parish location, even out of state or out of country?  Yes.  The fee for marriage preparation is $200.00 plus any canonical fees to transmit official paperwork to the diocese and parish of marriage.

• May a priest friend of the family celebrate the Mass?Yes. However, if the priest is not from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, he must forward a written "Celebret" (Permission to Minister) letter from his bishop or religious superior.

• May a priest from Santa Clara travel to another parish location for a wedding ceremony?  Please ask the priest or deacon, but in general, yes. Please note that you are responsible for travel and hotel fees if the location is distant.

• Can I be married outside?  Roman Catholic weddings must be celebrated inside an approved Roman Catholic church.

• Can I be married in a non-Catholic church building if my spouse is of another denomination?  In general the answer is yes, but it is necessary to gain a special permisssion for this type of ceremony outside of Roman Catholic setting from the local bishop.  Please speak to your interviewing clergy if this is a possibility.

• How many people can walk down the aisle?  Up to seven couples (plus flower girls and rign bearers) may walk the aisle with you.

• May children be part of the Wedding party?
  Yes. Up to four children 4 years old and up.​​​​​​​

• May we include Mexican, Filippino or other cultural elements into our wedding?  Yes, these elements (Lazo, arras, cord and veil) are commonly included in weddings at Santa Clara Parish and Chapel. 

• What if we have our own singers and musicians?  In most cases, they are allowed to participate, but will need to pay any associated fees for this service (i.e. microphone and amp set up) on top of wedding fees.

• May we include non-church  music at our wedding?  Since we are Roman Catholic Church, secular music at the ceremony itself is not permitted.

• Can we write our our vows?
  Yes, but the vows must be reviewed by the pastor for approval.