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The Catholic Church requires hefty marriage preparation. First, it requires both of you to be baptised and if possible one of you confirmed. When you go see the priest for the first time, he will ask to see your baptism certificates and fill a form giving details of your birth and occupation. If you are not a member, he will require a letter from your parish priest and for three consecutive Sundays, the banns, or public announcement of your intention to marry be read out in church. The marriage must then take place within three months. If you’ve been married before, your challenge is pretty daunting.

Technically, it is impossible to marry in the Roman Catholic Church if your spouse is still alive. Even a civil divorce will not do the trick. You must receive an annulment of your previous marriage. The annulment procedure is complicated and intimidating, requiring a great deal of paperwork on the part of the person applying. It can cost quite a lot, too. (Note though, that a previous marriage that did not take place within the church does not require an annulment.

From the church’s point of view, a civil- ceremony marriage that ends in divorce was never a marriage in the first place.) The Catholic Church will sanction a marriage between a Catholic and a non- Catholic providing all of the Church’s concerns are met and one of you is a confirmed catholic. Contrary to popular belief, it is not
necessary, for say, a protestant person to convert to Catholicism in order to wed in a Catholic ceremony. If you don’t have to worry about any of this, congratulations. You may move to the next step; pre-marital counselling also known as Pre-Canal. This required counselling is some of the most extensive marriage preparation work that you can undertake.

What can you expect from a Pre-Canal? A lot of talking between you, your groom, and your priest about your religious convictions and important marriage issues, workshops with other engaged couples and even some compatibility quizzes. If you need to go through pre-marital counselling, contact the church soon for their scheduled meetings. Group counselling programs (where many couples meet for a series of evenings or a weekend retreat) are scheduled throughout the year.

THE CATHOLIC CEREMONY
Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Ceremony does not go on and on. Although you have the option of having a complete mass (which adds about fifteen minutes to the total time), this is not a requirement. From the moment the organ announces your arrival at the altar to the time you walk back down the aisle with your new husband, approximately half an hour will have elapsed.

So let’s see what happens.
The bride’s family are seated on the left and the groom’s family on the right. Your groom and his best man will be standing at the right hand side of the alter waiting for you. The other grooms men have a choice to wait at the alter with the groom or come in with the bridesmaids.

Processional or Bridal March
The bridesmaids walk in first, followed by maid of honour/ best maid, the ring bearer and the flower girl (who may sprinkle flower petals). The bride arrives with her father or whoever is giving her away. It is not unusual these days for the bride to be accompanied by both parents down the aisle or even to make her entrance alone. The mother of the bride could also be seated right at the front and she will be the first person to stand to signal that the bride is making and entrance. Or she could walk in just before the
bride behind the bridesmaids.

Introductory rites
Once you reach the altar, the priest greets you and your father/ Parent or who ever is giving you away. The priest will then ask, “Who gives this lady away?” and your parents will then say, “We do.” They then place your hand in your groom’s hand and they proceed to sit. You and your groom will proceed to a special seat at the Alter. The bridesmaids will seat on the left side on specially reserved seats while the groomsmen take the right hand seats at the front.

Penitential Rite
The priest offers penitential rites, and says an opening prayer.

Entrance Hymn
The ceremony starts with opening music selections.

Liturgy of the word
This is when the reading you have chosen will be read, perhaps by special friends or family members. You may opt to have a Bible Procession complete with the Injili Dance. This is where the Bible is brought in a special procession with the priest. The 1st Bible Reading and 2nd Bible Reading will be done followed by the Gospel Acclamation.

Homily / Preaching At the completion of the reading, the priest gives a brief homily that focuses on some aspect of marriage.

Exchange of Vows/ Rite of marriage/ Blessing and Exchange of Rings
Here’s where you see some action. After the declaration of consent, the rings are blessed and exchanged. What most people don’t realize is that the exchange of vows, not the ring exchange, is the act that marks
the official moment of marriage. There are standard catholic vows (Don’t worry you don’t have to cram them!) At the time of exchanging the vows the alter boy stands right in front of you with the vows clearly written out so you can read them. You can also personalise your own vows which you can read after the official church vows.

Hymn
A special song congratulating the couple is played while the couple proceeds.

Lighting the Unity Candle
This is optional. The unity candle signifies putting off your single

Prayer of the Faithful
Blessings & prayers are said by Bride and Groom’s family and friends.

Liturgy of the Eucharist
Offertory
This is where you and your guests give offertory to the church. The bride and groom may not give their offertory now. You may be able to make a contribution to the church earlier or afterwards. An Offertory Song is played in the process.

Sanctus
Eucharistic Prayer The Lords Prayer (Recite/ song)

Rite of Peace
This is where the congregation offers each other the sign of peace by shaking of hands. The bride and groom may go to great their parents. This is done with song and dance like in any other Catholic Church service.

Communion
Communion Hymn is played while the bride and groom receive the sacrament of marriage. The rest of the guests (Only Catholics qualified) to receive Holy Communion can now also partake.

Briefing by Master of Ceremony
This is where the MC briefs the guests on what is expected; clarify on venue and photography, program of the day and the reception.

Signing of Marriage Certificate and Register
The bride and groom together with the two witnesses proceed to sign the marriage certificate. This is also an opportunity to play some well-selected music. After the signing the priest hands over the certificate to the bride who then gives it to the new husband. The bridal party then proceeds organise themselves to leave the church.