• As soon as you are ready to begin preparing for the sacrament of marriage, and before setting a date, call the parish office 619-233-3838 ext. 222 to schedule a meeting with your Marriage Formation Coordinator.
• At least one member of the couple must be baptized as a Catholic. Additionally, both parties must be deemed "free to marry" in accordance with Catholic Church requirements. This entails addressing any prior marriages, regardless of whether they occurred within or outside the Catholic Church, before setting a wedding date.  
• Note: The wedding date is not confirmed until the deposit and documents are received. Fee and deposit information is found below. Please DO NOT make any arrangements until the deposit is paid and the wedding date is confirmed.

• Your Marriage Formation Coordinator will assign a priest for your wedding. 
• Please schedule an appointment with him for an interview. 
• Your priest will receive your documents. Document requirements are found below.
• In cases of inter-faith marriages, dispensation is needed. This is handled by the priest or deacon handling your preparation.

• FOCCUS (Facilitate Open Caring Communication Understanding & Study) is meant to develop communication and conflict resolution skills before marriage. 
• A REFOCCUS inventory is available to couples who have been civilly married for at least a few years. 
• Your Marriage Formation Coordinator will provide directions for completing the questionnaire.

• Witness to Love:

Recommended by the Diocese of San Diego, this program enables engaged couples to select a mentor couple for support and guidance. With the aid of a trained coach couple, they navigate through the Witness to Love curriculum, fostering growth and understanding. 

• Certificates of completion are required as proof of attendance in marriage preparation programs such as FOCCUS, Celebrate Your Love, Witness to Love, and/or Engaged Encounter Weekend.
• Celebrating Your Love - Diocesan Day Retreat: This one-day retreat offers insight into Catholic teachings on marriage and practical skills essential for marital success. https://sdcatholic.org/cyl 
• Engaged Encounter Weekend: This retreat provides engaged couples with space and time to delve into the depth of marriage, exploring crucial topics such as communication, intimacy, and forgiveness.  https://sandiego.engagedencounter.com Marriage Encounter Weekend: Similar to Engaged Encounter, this weekend is designed for couples who have been civilly married for several years, aiming to deepen their bond and understanding of marriage. https://encounter.org/
• Online "Pre-Cana" Program: Designed for couples unable to attend in-person preparation, this online program offers comprehensive marriage preparation. https://themarriagegroup.com/courses/pre-cana
• A New Beginnig: Tailored for couples entering a second marriage, this retreat addresses the unique challenges of blended families and navigating grief and loss. https://sdcatholic.org/cyl

• For Catholics, a recently issued certified copy of your baptismal certificate, dated no more than 6 months before your wedding, is needed. This is obtainable from the parish where you were baptized.
• If you were baptized in another Christian faith, you will also need to provide a baptism certificate, however no time restrictions apply. 

• If confirmed, and your confirmation date is not noted on your new baptism certificate, you will need to submit a confirmation certificate. No time restrictions apply and can be a photocopy of your original. 
•  If you don’t have the documents, follow the same process for the baptismal certificate.
• If you made a Profession of Faith, please submit a certificate dated within 6 months of your wedding date. 
• For those still desiring the sacrament of confirmation, please contact the parish office to register for this program.

• The Bride and Groom will be interviewed separately by the priest regarding the freedom to marry and consulted about the understanding of the nature of marriage.
• Prenuptial Examination Form: This document will be provided by your priest, deacon or authorized church representative during your “initial interview” and completed with the minister.

• Freedom to Marry Affidavits: 

These forms will be given to you by your priest, deacon or authorized church representative and are to be filled out by a parent, sibling or close relative who can attest to your freedom to marry in the Catholic Church.

• Certificates of completion are required as proof of attendance in marriage preparation programs such as FOCCUS, Celebrate Your Love, Witness to Love, and/or Engaged Encounter Weekend.

• You can apply for a marriage license online and in-person at a Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk branch office. More information can be obtained here. 
• You can secure a license online here. 
• Please bring the Marriage License to the priest/deacon at least one week before the ceremony.
• If couples are already civilly married, a photocopy of their marriage license is required.

Effective from June 1, 2024.

The church offering:

• Parishioners - $800 (50% paid at the first meeting) 
• Non-Parishioners - $1200 (50% paid at the first meeting) 
• Marriage Prep only- $500 (paid in full at the first meeting)
• The donation to the priest/deacon is not included.  

You are considered a registered parishioner if you have been in our records for at least six months prior to your initial interview.  During that time, you should have been making donations regularly (e.g. weekly, monthly) or have been actively involved with at least one of our ministries.

The wedding date will not be confirmed until the deposit is received. The deposit is non-refundable. All fees should be paid at least one month before the wedding. Payment should be made to the receptionist in the parish office.

• Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays at 12:00, 1:30 and 3:30.
•  75 minutes are allowed for the ceremony including time for photography.
• Please be prompt. Delays may result in fewer pictures taken as we cannot inconvenience the service that follows.
• Requests for weekdays are considered on a case-by-case basis. It will incur a $100 fee. 
• No weddings are scheduled on Sundays or during Lent.

• You may invite a priest or deacon to perform your marriage. Please get the permission of our pastor. 
• Priests or deacons from outside the Diocese of San Diego should have a letter from their Bishop stating they are in good standing with their diocese.

• The rehearsal is scheduled the Thursday or Friday before the Saturday scheduled wedding. Please make an appointment with our wedding coordinator. 
• The rehearsal lasts about an hour. Please be on time as there may be a rehearsal after yours.

• All arrangements must be made directly with the musician. 
• Please speak with the receptionist for contact information.

• The bridal party needs to make its own arrangements with a florist. 
• Be mindful that there can be three weddings in one day.
• Please remove your flowers and containers immediately after your service. 
• Flowers may be left for the church if you wish. 
• You may also make your own arrangements with the other wedding parties on your day to share the floral expenses. 
• Scotch tape, tacks or staples can never to be used on the pews. Use rubber bands, ribbons or plastic clips supplied by your florist to attach the decorations. 
• Flower petals are not to be strewn in the aisle.

• The photographer must meet with the priest/deacon before the ceremony. 
• Please tell your families and friends that they should not be involved with photography during the wedding as they are part of the religious celebration. 
• Photos may not be taken from the sanctuary area. 
• Professional photographs may be taken during the ceremony from the body of the church as long as this is not disruptive (for example, the photographers should not be crossing from one side of the church to the other). 
• After the ceremony, please prioritize posed photographs inside the church, as we cannot delay the following wedding or service.

• No rice, no birdseed, no confetti, no flower petals! 
• The bridal party is responsible for ensuring that nothing is thrown which can be hazardous to those coming into or walking out of the Church. 
• No candles are to be lit during the ceremony except the altar candles and, if applicable, the Unity Candle.