Old Weddings Page
Congratulations on your engagement!
Your decision to enter into the relationship of married life is a serious one, and it serves as a wonderful sign of hope and strength to the Prince of Peace community.
This information is intended to help you prepare not only for the wedding day but for marriage, a lifetime experience of hope and joy, a faithful promise you have both chosen to offer and receive “in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health,” to love and honor each other all the days of your lives!
Receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony
Your marriage preparation journey begins by completing the Marriage Request Form. Once your form is submitted, our marriage coordinator will guide you through each step of the process. You will then meet with a member of the Marriage Preparation Team to discuss your plans and create a personalized path for your preparation. As part of your journey, you will complete a compatibility study that highlights your strengths as a couple and identifies opportunities for growth. You will review these results with a marriage counselor, who will help you explore ways to deepen and strengthen your relationship.
Next, you will be matched with or choose a married mentor couple who will accompany you through the Witness to Love marriage preparation program, offering guidance and encouragement from their own experience. You will also meet with a priest or deacon to pray together, reflect on your compatibility study, deepen your understanding of the Sacrament of Matrimony, and discuss the joys and challenges of married life. In addition, you will complete a Natural Family Planning (NFP) class, where you will discover faithful and life-giving approaches to planning your family together.
As your wedding day approaches, you will plan your wedding ceremony by selecting the Scripture readings and music that will make your celebration both meaningful and personal. Finally, you will celebrate the beginning of your lifelong vocation of marriage. Your journey does not end on your wedding day, however. We encourage you to continue investing in your marriage by participating in couples' groups, maintaining relationships with your mentor couple, and staying actively involved in parish life as you grow together in faith and love.
Other Important Information
Important Information
Preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony is an important step in your journey together. Our parish is committed to supporting you throughout the process by providing the guidance, resources, and spiritual formation needed to help you prepare for a lifelong, Christ-centered marriage.
Required Documents
To begin the marriage preparation process, each Catholic bride or groom must submit a recently issued Baptismal Certificate or Profession of Faith Certificate from the parish where they were baptized or received into the Catholic Church. The certificate must be dated within six months of the wedding and include all sacramental notations. Couples must also complete four Affidavits of Freedom to Marry—two for the bride and two for the groom—which will be provided by the marriage coordinator. In addition, a valid Texas marriage license is required and should be submitted to the Parish Office at least one month before the wedding.
Wedding Dates and Rehearsals
Weddings are celebrated in either the church or chapel on select Fridays and Saturdays, with additional dates available when the parish schedule permits. Rehearsals are typically held the evening before the wedding, although they may be scheduled on a different day if necessary. During Lent, rehearsals are usually held on Thursdays to accommodate the parish's Lenten liturgies.
The wedding party will have access to the church or chapel and dressing areas beginning one hour before the ceremony and for up to thirty minutes afterward. To ensure a smooth and timely celebration, we ask that the ceremony begin and end as scheduled. We also recommend designating a trusted family member or friend to be responsible for personal belongings throughout the day.
All members of the wedding party—including parents, attendants, lectors, and ushers—should attend the rehearsal. Our Liturgical Wedding Coordinators will lead the rehearsal, which generally lasts no longer than one hour.
The Wedding Liturgy
The Catholic Rite of Marriage is a sacred celebration of God's covenant with His people. During the wedding liturgy, the bride and groom exchange their vows before God and the Church, asking for His grace and blessing as they begin their vocation of marriage.
Depending on the religious backgrounds of the couple, the Rite of Marriage may be celebrated within Mass or during a Liturgy of the Word without Holy Communion. When both the bride and groom are practicing Catholics, the celebration of Mass is ordinarily recommended. If one spouse is a baptized non-Catholic or is not baptized, the Rite of Marriage is generally celebrated outside of Mass.
As part of your preparation, you will receive the *Together for Life* planning guide to help you select Scripture readings, prayers, blessings, and music for your wedding liturgy. Couples celebrating the Rite of Marriage within Mass will also choose two practicing Catholics to present the gifts of bread and wine during the offertory.
Wedding Coordination
To help your wedding day run smoothly, the parish assigns two Liturgical Wedding Coordinators to assist with both the rehearsal and the ceremony. Their role is to ensure that the wedding is celebrated according to the liturgical norms of the Catholic Church. Couples are welcome to hire a professional wedding planner; however, outside coordinators are asked to respect the Church's liturgy and allow the parish coordinators to direct the rehearsal and ceremony. All members of the wedding party should arrive at least one hour before the ceremony begins.
Music
Sacred music is an essential part of the wedding liturgy, expressing the joy of Christian marriage and drawing those present into prayer. Our Worship Ministry will help you select music that reflects the sacred nature of the celebration. We recommend meeting with the Worship Ministry approximately two months before your wedding to finalize your music selections.
Flowers and Decorations
The beauty of the church and chapel provides a reverent setting for the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony, so additional decorations are optional. Any flowers or decorations should complement the sacred space without distracting from the liturgy or causing damage to the church or its furnishings.
Seasonal liturgical decorations for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter may not be moved or altered. Artificial flowers and plants are not permitted inside the church or chapel. Carpet runners, aisle petals, rice, birdseed, confetti, bubbles, and similar items are not allowed either inside the church or anywhere on parish grounds. Florists may begin decorating no earlier than one hour before the ceremony and are responsible for removing all decorations immediately afterward unless prior arrangements have been made with the parish.
Photography and Videography
Photography and videography are welcome as long as they preserve the sacred atmosphere of the liturgy. Photographers and videographers must check in with the Liturgical Wedding Coordinator before the ceremony and complete all equipment setup at least twenty minutes before the wedding begins.
Flash photography, artificial lighting, drones, hidden cameras, and movement near the sanctuary or tabernacle are not permitted during the liturgy. We also ask couples to encourage guests to silence their phones and refrain from recording the ceremony. Following the wedding, photography inside the church or chapel is limited to twenty minutes to allow adequate time for cleanup and preparation for any events that follow.
Wedding Attire
Wedding attire should reflect the dignity and sacredness of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Brides are encouraged to choose gowns that are elegant and modest. While strapless or sleeveless dresses are permitted, excessively low necklines or revealing styles should be avoided. The same standard of modesty applies to bridesmaids and all members of the wedding party. Appropriate attire helps maintain the focus on the sacred covenant being celebrated.
Continuing Your Marriage Journey
Marriage preparation is only the beginning of a lifelong vocation. After your wedding, we encourage you to continue growing together in faith by participating in Natural Family Planning education, joining parish ministries, and becoming active members of our parish community. If you are passionate about helping engaged couples prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony, we also invite you to consider serving as a volunteer in our Wedding Ministry.