Marriage

ENGAGED COUPLES

You are engaged! We congratulate you on your engagement, and the joy you two have found! This season will be one of the happiest and busiest times in your life -- full of decisions, conversations, and excitement for your journey ahead as man and wife.

The Sacrament of Matrimony is a life-long union of two people who vow to be loving, sacrificial companions to one another. By doing so, each spouse reveals God to the other. By choosing to prepare for and celebrate your marriage in the Church, you are proclaiming the sacredness of your marriage to your family, friends, and community. Whether your wedding takes place in this parish or elsewhere, the staff at Our Lady of the Lake parish want to support you as you prepare for this wonderful transformation of your life. You are welcome to prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage here at Our Lady of the Lake.

All couples are required to go through a marriage preparation program prior to being married in the Catholic Church. The marriage preparation process does take some time, since it is a journey of growth and discovery. This process will help you acquire a deeper understanding of what God's plan is for your marriage, and what you will need to live out your new vocation according to that plan; the marriage preparation process will help you grow in your relationship with Christ, help you discover that you are able to love each other more deeply, and help you discover more joy in your marriage. The marriage preparation process, the exchange of vows and the receiving of the nuptial blessing will help you build the best possible foundation for a life-long marriage.

If you are ready to begin the process of marriage preparation and set a date, we would be honored to speak with you. Please contact the Marriage Ministry Office at least 6 to 9 months prior to your marriage date to schedule an appointment. Registered parishioners of Our Lady of the Lake may be married in this church easily. However, parties from other parishes may be married here with permission from their pastor and the pastor of Our Lady of the Lake.  

Weddings at Our Lady of the Lake Parish are ordinarily celebrated on Saturdays at either 11 AM, or 2 PM. Rehearsals typically are held on Friday evenings. There is Daily Mass in Spanish at 5:30pm to consider when scheduling the rehearsal. Rehearsal time is booked on a first-come, first-served basis at the time you book your wedding.

Please do not reserve a reception venue until your preferred date is confirmed on the parish calendar. Failure to do this usually leads to disappointment and delays.

Documents to be provided by the engaged couple:

• New Baptismal certificate, with notations, issued from your Church of Baptism, within six months of the wedding date for the Catholic party
• Copy of Baptismal Certificate, or letter from Church of Baptism, for party baptized in another faith tradition
• Freedom to Marry Affidavits:  Each party will have a witness (ordinarily, one's parent) complete this form at a Catholic Church with a priest, deacon or lay designate. The complete form is stamped with the Church seal and returned to Our Lady of the Lake.
• Additional documents may be necessary.
• Any individual who has been previously married should begin the process of seeking annulment(s) as soon as possible.

BRINGING YOUR CIVIL MARRIAGE INTO THE CHURCH

If you are Catholic, and you were not married in the church before a priest or deacon and two witnesses, and you wish to have your marriage convalidated (recognised by the Catholic Church), please contact Emma Rodriguez.

ANNULMENTS

The Catholic Diocese of Dallas, like all other dioceses in the world, offers an opportunity for individuals who have been previously married to ascertain the validity of that previous marriage. 

FOR MARRIED COUPLES

The Catholic Diocese of Dallas offers marriage enrichment opportunities. Every couple wants a strong and vibrant marriage that will endure. The truth of the matter is that lasting marriages are those in which the partners are committed to building their relationship with one another. The programs offered by the Catholic Diocese of Dallas are designed to help couples to develop open and honest communication, to assist with couple and individual growth, to adjust to the many changes and unforeseen events that will come a copuple's way, and to seek help and support when life becomes too much to handle alone. 

MUSIC AT THE CEREMONY

The Director of Music & Liturgy is the only individual to contact to plan music for your Wedding. Any additional musicians may only be contracted through the Director of Music, and additional fees will apply to be paid separately from the church fees. Musical selections should stay within the options provided, with the occasional exception. We make every effort to be flexible, but the musicians cannot be expected to play anything and everything, as if a jukebox. Some selections are more appropriate for a post-ceremony gathering. Please be mindful of the sacredness of the Wedding Mass and how music plays a role in that. 

 

Wedding Guide (English)       GUÍA DE BODAS (ESPAÑOL)Nuptial Liturgy FORM
Lecturas Readings