Steps in the Wedding Preparation Process

Step 1: Complete the Wedding Registration Form

Please fill the online registration form, all information is needed.

Reserve a venue after you have completed the prenuptial questionnaire with the Priest or Deacon. After completing the questionnaire you will be allowed to reserve your wedding date at St. Helen Catholic Church.

Please choose a wedding date that is at least nine (9) months out from the day you are filling the registration form.

Step 2: Initial Orientation

Once you have submitted an online Wedding Registration Form, you will be contacted by the Marriage Assistant for an initial orientation. At this informal meeting, we will go over the marriage preparation process at St. Helens, start the necessary paperwork and reserve a tentative wedding date.

Step 3: Conversation with a priest or deacon

The Marriage Assistant will schedule your initial conversation with a priest or deacon. At that time the prenuptial questionnaire will be completed and you will receive information about how to proceed with the FULLY ENGAGED Inventory. Thank you for arriving on time and remember to bring all requested documentation.

Step 4: Relationship Inventory (FULLY ENGAGED)

The FULLY ENGAGED Inventory is offered online and you will be emailed a link to take the inventory. If you do not have access to a computer or e-mail, you can complete the inventory on paper.

Step 5: Attend a Marriage Engagement Retreat

You will need to attend the Marriage Engagement Retreat offered by the Diocese of Austin or any other similar program offered at a Catholic Church and bring the certificate to the Marriage Assistant.
If suggested by a priest or deacon, the two of you will meet with a sponsor couple during the wedding preparation process.

Step 6: Attend a NFP Class

You will need to attend a Natural Family Planning class and bring the certificate to the Marriage Assistant.
We require the one hour class, however couples can benefit for taking the complete course before the wedding.

Step 7: Bring all necessary paper work

During the initial orientation, the Marriage Assistant will tell you about the documentation that is necessary, the due dates and other helpful/important information.

Among the documents needed for the marriage package are: Baptism Certificate (issued within the last six month before the wedding), 4 affidavits of free status, Marriage Engagement Retreat and NFP Class certificates, select reading for the wedding from “Together for Life” book. If Baptized Catholic, it is preferred if groom and bride are confirmed before the wedding; if that is the case, please present a copy of the Confirmation Certificate.

Depending on the circumstances, some couples may need to submit additional documents, permissions and dispensations. If that is the case, you will be informed about them during the initial orientation.

Important Note 1: if you are getting married at another parish within the Diocese of Austin. The marriage package needs to be done (with all required documentation) at least a month before the wedding, because St. Helen’s staff have to send the package to the parish where you are getting married. The extra two weeks, will give the other parish enough time to review it and request anything additional if necessary.

Important Note 2: if you are getting married in the US outside the Diocese of Austin or in another country. The marriage package needs to be completed at least three months before the wedding date. Here is the reason why the extra time is needed. St. Helens’ staff prepares and sends the marriage package to the Canonical and Tribunal Services Offices at the Diocese of Austin. The Canonical and Tribunal Services Office reviews it and sends the package to the Canonical and Tribunal Services Offices to the diocese where the parish that you are getting married belongs to. They review the packages and send it to the Parish where the wedding will take place. We understand that some countries have a postal services that takes longer, please make sure to mention this to the Marriage Assistant during the initial orientation.

Schedule

Please choose a date at least nine (9) months from the date your started the marriage preparation process.

Reserve a venue after you have completed the prenuptial questionnaire with the Priest or Deacon. After completing the questionnaire you will be allowed to reserve your wedding date at St. Helen Catholic Church.
 

Schedule for ceremony with Mass or Liturgy of the Word:

Saturday:
11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Donation and Stipend

Parishioner: $400
Non Parishioner: $800* 
* Couple must provide their own officiant (Roman Catholic Priest) 

Stipend
The stipend for the priest or deacon is a free will offering, and is not included on the above costs, but is suggested.
 

Contact Person

Audrey Mora
Marriage and Office Assistant
Parish Office
Phone: (512) 863-3041 ext. 104
Email: Audrey@sainthelens.org