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Marriage Prep Q&A, Tips and Timeline

What is Pre-Cana? Where can I find information about marriage preparation programs in the Albany Diocese? My clergy person said I need a copy of my baptismal certificate? What if the church that has my baptismal certificate has closed? Is there a place to find out more about Catholic Marriage?

What is Pre-Cana?

Precana is another name for the marriage preparation program a couple takes when preparing for a Catholic Marriage.

To register for Precana, click here.

Where can I find information about marriage preparation programs in the Albany Diocese?

The Diocesan Marriage Preparation Programs can be found at the RCDA home page under the button How Do I Get Married?”

My clergy person said I need a copy of my baptismal certificate?

Although you may have the original, you need to have a current copy. This is easily obtained from the church you were baptized in with just a phone call. They will mail it to you.

What if the church that has my baptismal certificate has closed?

All records from Albany Diocesan Catholic Churches are moved and kept safe when a church closes. We can help you find the records online via our Institutional and Parish Records search tool.

Is there a place to find out more about Catholic Marriage?

The Catholic Bishops in the United States have informative web information.
They have also created a video of what happens during the wedding liturgy.

Tips and Timeline

Planning a Catholic Wedding

To create a meaningful Catholic wedding it is important to remember that the celebration of marriage is asacrament a profound expression of God’s love in the world. The elements of the ceremony you choosewill speak to those in attendance of your values and hopes for your marriage.

The following are general guidelines for planning a memorable Catholic wedding compiled from information found at: www.foryourmarriage.org

Consider the following questions as a couple, to shape your personal view of what is truly important to you in a wedding celebration.

What do you want the wedding to say about you and your values? Do you feel comfortable with the amount you plan to spend? Are you willing to go into debt, or put family members in debt?

How much time and energy do you have to focus on the details of a wedding? Will you make time preparing for the marriage itself?

Typical Timeline

Twelve months prior to the wedding

 Contact the church you wish to be married in.

 Meet with the pastor or deacon (or parish representative) to select a wedding date and time, and discuss the parish requirements for a wedding celebration.

Nine months prior to the wedding

 Start selecting readings (traditionally, one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and one from the Gospels) and Prayers of the Faithful. Many couples find reading them aloud to each other helps in the selection process.

Six months prior to the wedding

 Plan to attend a Marriage Preparation Program (Precana) Register now, programs can fill up quickly.

 Create your guest list. Design or select, and order, wedding invitations.

Three months prior to the wedding

 Meet with the parish wedding representative or pastor to discuss decoration requirements, whichmay include placement and size of floral arrangements.

 Meet with the parish musician for details concerning music for your celebration.

Two months prior to the wedding

 Finalize the invites, ceremony details.

 Publish a wedding announcement in the local newspaperand the church bulletin.

 Make sure all documentation has been delivered to the celebrant (ex:Baptism Records)

 Finalize Music and reading choices with the celebrant and musician.

Three to four weeks prior to the wedding

 Meet with the parish representative or clergy to discuss last minute details.

One to two weeks prior to the wedding

 Touch base with your clergy person.

Day (or Two) before the wedding

 Participate, with priest and wedding party, in a rehearsal ceremony.