THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

"Love is willing the good of the other." - St. Thomas Aquinas


Congratulations on your engagement! We love offering weddings here at St. Michael's and being the place where you begin your life together as husband and wife.

But we aren't just a pretty place to have your wedding Mass - we also want to support you in your marriage. We are here to offer guidance not just in having a beautiful wedding day, but also having a beautiful marriage.

Feeling overwhelmed by all of the details associated with a wedding? Celebrating your marriage in a church setting must be approached with prayerful planning, and we look forward to assisting you in that process!

Please note: Being such a large and vibrant parish, requests for use of the church and our facilities is in high demand.  Because of this, in order to request a wedding or sacramental marriage preparation at St. Michael's, the couple must either be established registered members of the church or live within the territory of the church. If you are not a member of St. Michael’s and live outside of the territory of St. Michael the Archangel Church, you are welcome to request a wedding date here if you have local family currently affiliated with our parish.

WEDDING PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Wedding programs

We know that can seem very overwhelming, but don't worry - we're here to walk you through the process every step of the way.

Wedding rings being blessed

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I PLAN MY WEDDING?

The marriage preparation process takes a minimum of six months, so we advise beginning the eligibility form at least nine months in advance of your desired wedding date.

WHAT DAYS AND TIMES ARE WEDDINGS OFFERED?

Marriage Liturgies are celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel on Saturdays at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. They are not scheduled on Saturday evenings, Sunday, or Holy Days.

Rehearsals are scheduled the afternoon or evening before your wedding day. Your rehearsal will normally take 45 minutes and can be scheduled 4-5 months prior to your wedding date.

DO I NEED TO BE A PARISHIONER OF ST. MICHAEL'S TO BE MARRIED THERE?

To request a wedding or marriage preparation at St. Michael's, you or your family must either be registered members of the church or live within the territory of the church.

If you are not a member of St. Michael’s and live outside of the territory, you are still welcome to request a wedding date here. In this case, the church where you are a registered member or the church closest to your residence should assist you with preparation and the required paperwork.

Please note: If the bride or groom are registered members of another Catholic church, a Pastor Permission Letter should be requested from the pastor of the bride or groom in order for the wedding to take place at St. Michael's.

I/MY FIANCE IS NOT CATHOLIC. CAN WE STILL GET MARRIED IN THE CHURCH?

Most likely, but please contact us for more information, as the procedures vary depending on you/your fiance's baptismal status and religion.

I/MY FIANCE HAVE BEEN MARRIED BEFORE. CAN WE STILL GET MARRIED IN THE CHURCH?

This will depend on the history and status of the previous marriage. Please contact us for more information.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HAVE A WEDDING AT ST. MICHAEL'S?

Please review our wedding costs sheet for more information.

CAN WE HAVE A VISITING PRIEST PRESIDE AT OUR WEDDING?

We welcome priests or deacons from outside St. Michael the Archangel Church to officiate at your wedding. The visiting priest or deacon must be approved by the Pastor and will be expected to follow all the policies of St. Michael. When the officiating priest or deacon is from outside the Diocese of Raleigh, he must submit a letter of suitability from his bishop or superior from his archdiocese or diocese. The letter of suitability shall affirm that the priest is in good standing with full faculties. Once necessary documentation is submitted by the officiating priest for validity, delegation will be given by St. Michael's pastor.

CAN I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER?

Yes! We know how important it is to capture this special moment. We do ask that photographers and videographers adhere to certain rules; please review the wedding guide for more details.

WILL ANYONE FROM THE CHURCH BE ABLE TO HELP THE DAY OF OUR WEDDING?

Our Wedding Ministry Committee members are an essential part of your rehearsal and wedding day. Committee members are volunteers who generously give their time to assist the presider and the couple at the rehearsal and on the wedding day to ensure that everything runs smoothly. There is no fee for their services. Members do their best to have someone at your rehearsal and wedding but, occasionally, there might not be anyone available

Additionally, some brides prefer to dress at home, but for those brides who wish to dress at the Church, we do have a bride’s room for your use. This room is to be used for dressing only, no hair/makeup stylists permitted. Please be sure to remove all personal items and return the room to its original condition for the next bride. No food or alcohol is allowed in the bride’s room. The groom and groomsmen should arrive at the Church in full attire. There is no designated place in the Church for the groom and groomsmen to get dressed.

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS.

No problem! First, review our wedding guide, and then contact us with any questions. We're happy to help walk you through this process!