Marriage

Congratulations on your engagement! We’re excited to share your sacramental journey.

STEPS TO BEGIN:

1. Start Early – Contact the parish office at 203-263-2008 at least 6–12 months before your wedding.
2. Initial Meeting – You’ll begin with a call, Zoom, or in-person meeting with our Marriage Prep Coordinator to walk through the process and get ready for the next steps.
3. Pre-Marital Investigation – (PMI) After your initial meeting, you’ll meet with our priest to complete the
   PMI — a required step to confirm your freedom to marry in the Church. Please do not book a reception venue until this step is complete.
4. Marriage Preparation – We use Witness to Love, a mentor-based program that includes six meetings over
   3–6 months. You’ll choose your own mentor couple — a practicing Catholic couple married for at least five years— who will walk with you through topics like communication, commitment, and faith. As part of this process, you’ll also complete the FACET premarital assessment, which helps you reflect on your relationship and prepare for married life.
5. Planning the Big Day – Once your marriage prep is complete, you’ll begin coordinating your liturgical selections — including music, cantor, organist, flowers, readings, and deciding whether you’d like a full wedding Mass or a ceremony without Mass

MARRIAGE PREP FAQ

1. How do we choose which church to get married in?
   You may choose either St. Teresa of Avila Church in Woodbury or Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. We’ll help you coordinate based on availability, family ties, or personal preference.
2. Should we book our reception venue now?
   Not yet. You must first complete the Pre-Marital Investigation (PMI) with our priest to confirm your freedom to marry in the Church. This step must be completed before booking a reception venue.
3. What’s the difference between a full wedding Mass and a ceremony without Mass?
   A full wedding Mass includes the celebration of the Eucharist and is ideal when both bride and groom are practicing Catholics. A ceremony without Mass is shorter and may be more appropriate when one partner is not Catholic or when guests are of mixed faith backgrounds. We’ll help you decide what fits best.
4. Who can be our mentor couple?
   You’ll choose a practicing Catholic couple married for at least five years whom you admire and trust. If you don’t have a mentor couple in mind, we’re happy to connect you with a couple from our parish who can walk with you through the Witness to Love process.
5. What is the FACET assessment and why is it important?
   FACET is a premarital tool that helps you reflect on your relationship — celebrating strengths and identifying areas for growth. It’s part of the Witness to Love process and is reviewed with your mentor couple and facilitator. FACET is not just about preparing for your wedding — it’s designed to help you grow together now and long into the future.
6. What happens after marriage prep is complete?
   You’ll begin planning the liturgical details of your wedding — including music, readings, flowers, and coordinating with your chosen church. We’ll guide you through every step.
7. What local florists are in Woodbury?
   Petal Perfection & Confections
   Bouquets & Beyond Florals and Events
   Woodbury Floral Designs, LLC
8. Where are nearby reception venues?
   1754 House | Inn & Restaurant – Woodbury
   MIX Prime Steakhouse – Woodbury
   Heritage Hotel – Southbury
   Mayflower Inn & Spa – Washington