Please call the office at (719) 846-3369 to begin the process



Marriage Policy

Congratulations on your engagement and your decision to marry in the Catholic Church! The following guidelines will help you in planning for this sacred event.

What is needed to marry in the Roman Catholic Church?

• The Diocese of Pueblo requires a minimum period of 6 months to prepare couples for marriage.

• In the Diocese of Pueblo, both parties must be at least 19 years old.

• If one or both parties has been previously married, an annulment is required (even for a non-Catholic). Annulments are done through the Marriage Tribunal of the Diocese of Pueblo, and the process can take more than a year. The wedding cannot be scheduled until the annulment process has been successfully completed.

Necessary Documents:

• A current copy (within 6 months) of the parties’ Baptism Certificates with notations of First Communion and Confirmation, if applicable. If one party is a baptized Christian, we would like a copy of their Baptism Certificate as well.

• Both the bride and groom must have 2 affidavits (Witness Forms), filled out and returned. These are usually filled out by the parents of the bride and groom. This document concerns the Baptismal status of each person and their freedom to marry in the Church.

• Pre-nuptial investigation form, which is completed by the priest or parish delegate.

• Any other documents as may be necessary, such as dispensations, annulments, death certificates, etc.

• Marriage License – the State of Colorado requires a marriage license that is valid only for 30 days. The wedding cannot take place without the license. We ask that you bring the license to the Office at least 5 days before the wedding.

Church Fees:

• $150 due no later than one week prior to the wedding. This includes preparation materials and the use of the Church.

• Celebrant fee – optional. It is customary to give a stipend to the priest for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. This amount is at your discretion.

• Musician fee – this will be discussed when you meet with the musicians to select music.

• Couples preparing for marriage at Holy Trinity but being married elsewhere are charged $100 for preparation materials.

Required Preparation:

• Meet with the Priest/Parish delegate at least 6 months prior to the intended wedding date for an initial interview.

• The couple will take the FOCCUS Inventory and discuss the results with the Priest/Parish delegate. This tool is designed to help couples open a discussion of all areas of married life. This portion could take up to 6 meetings.

• The priest will walk you through the Sacramental preparation program, Joined By Grace. The time frame involved for this varies from couple to couple.

Natural Family Planning:

• Natural Family Planning is recommended for couples to better understand Christian sexuality and their own fertility. Since there are no local couples to teach the class, you have the option to take it online at your own pace through the Couple to Couple League. The cost is $135 (plus shipping). This fee is paid online when you register for the course.

Wedding Arrangements:
A Catholic wedding is a liturgy of the Catholic Church. Only things appropriate to Catholic worship are allowed. The following guidelines are intended to help the couple and their guests.

• Weddings may be scheduled on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Weekdays or evenings are also available apart from major feast days, such as Christmas or Easter.

• A rehearsal is conducted the evening before the wedding. Everyone involved in the ceremony should attend (the entire wedding party, readers, musicians, gift-bearers, etc.) If the Marriage License has not be submitted by this time, the couple is responsible for bringing it at that time.

• The couple will meet with the priest approximately 1-2 months before the wedding date to select readings.

• The couple is responsible for arranging musicians. The church can provide a list of approved musicians to contact. If you prefer musicians other than the parish musicians, they must be approved. The couple will meet with the musicians approximately 1-2 months before the wedding date to select music.

Environment & Ceremony:

• The church will open 2 hours before the wedding to allow time to decorate.

• The church will be decorated according to the current liturgical season; however, you may add small decorative elements.

• Flowers are the responsibility of the couple. We do not allow any flower petals to be thrown on the floor.

• Pew bows may be attached with pew bow holders, rubber bands or ribbon. Please no tape of any kind.

• Rice/birdseed/bubbles may not be used inside the church. Bubbles may be used outside only.

• It is the responsibility of the couple to return the church to the same order as it was when they arrived. This is particularly important for weddings on Saturdays due to our Mass schedule.

Photography:

• Photography is permitted during the ceremony provided it does not disrupt the flow of the service.

• No extra lighting during ceremony.

• Pictures may be taken after Mass, but please be mindful of the Confession/Mass schedule on Saturday afternoons.