​My fiancé is not Catholic, can we have a full mass?

• No, a Nuptial Mass is the usual form for the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony between two Catholics.  A marriage between a Catholic and a baptized Christian is usually celebrated outside of Mass.  A marriage between a Catholic and an unbaptized person is always celebrated outside of Mass.

 

​

My fiancé has previously been married.  Are we still able to get married in the Catholic Church?

• If either of you have been married before either in a Church, civil ceremony, or common law union you MUST meet with a priest BEFORE you set a wedding date and start marriage preparations. There is extra paperwork that will need to be completed first.

 

We want to schedule our reception location soon because of their limited availability.  Can we set a date then contact the church?

• It is suggested that you wait to schedule your reception until your first meeting with the priest or deacon.  If you plan around the availability of a reception center, you may have scheduling conflicts due to the church already being booked, or there may not be time to properly complete the marriage preparation. Contact the parish office at least 8 months, preferably a year, before making any wedding plans.

​

My fiancé and I have not attended St. Joan of Arc but would like to be married there.  Can we still get married without attending the church?

• Use of the church for weddings is normally reserved for St. Joan of Arc parishioners. Parishioners are persons registered in the parish and contributing to its support for a minimum six-month period prior to beginning the marriage preparation process.

​

I was baptized Catholic but why do I need a Catholic wedding?

• A Catholic wedding is a sacramental union, which represents a visible sign of an invisible reality. Catholics are required to marry according to "canonical form." 

​

We love Colorado's blue skies and mountain air.  Can we have our wedding outdoors?

• The Archdiocese of Denver requires that weddings take place in a Catholic church or chapel.  Ask the parish about additional locations that are accepted with special permissions from the parish priest. 

​

When does St. Joan of Arc allow weddings to take place?

• The usual times for weddings are Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  The Archdiocese of Denver policy is that weddings not occur on Saturday evenings or Sundays.

​

My fiancé attends another parish and we want to prepare for marriage there.  Can we still get married at St. Joan of Arc. 

• If a couple chooses to do their marriage preparation at a parish other than St. Joan of Arc, but intend to be married here, the pastor will need to give permission for them to do so.

• Any couple preparing for a wedding outside of the Archdiocese of Denver but who are completing their marriage preparation should make sure that the preparation complies with all of the local parish and archdiocesan requirements

​

My fiancé is out of state currently, can we still begin marriage preparations?

• Because the marriage preparations require large amounts of time together for communication, attending classes and meetings, it is advised that preparations take place when both of you are present in the same location.