If both parties are Catholic, it is expected that the couple regularly attend Mass and intend to seriously enter into a sacramental union that will be lived out in the Catholic Church.

If the parties are an inter-faith couple (Catholic and non-Catholic), the Catholic party is expected to regularly attend Mass and continue to practice his/her faith. The couple should understand they are entering into a lifelong union.

For those not regularly practicing their faith, we would ask them to take some time to assess and determine the place of faith in their life before they proceed with marriage preparation. If there are questions in this regard, it will be important to schedule a time to talk to the priest or deacon for counsel.

After taking the time to assess the place of faith in their present life and how it will play a role in their marriage relationship, the couple begins the more formal marriage preparation program.

• At least 6 months prior to the date of your wedding.

• Both parties must be 21 years old.  If either is under 21, permission from parents will be needed.

• Certain seasons in the Church are better suited to the celebratory nature of the Sacrament of Marriage. Other seasons are not. The Church reluctantly permits weddings to occur during Advent and Lent, but also reminds us of their special nature: it is contrary to the spirit of both seasons to be celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage. The reason?  If we truly are caught in Advent’s expectation or the Lenten catechumenal journey, everyone’s time and spiritual energy should be fully absorbed by these focuses.  Moderation should be observed in the decoration of the altar. 

• During Advent, the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord.  

• During Lent it is forbidden for the altar to be decorated with flowers. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities and Feasts.

• In addition to these seasonal limitations, weddings are not permitted on holiday weekends without special permission of the pastor. This includes between Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s), Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving.

• Call the parish office (563) 324-3257 and ask to speak with Carol or Colleen about which dates are available.

• You will receive an email with a copy of the contract when a date is chosen. 

• Return the completed Wedding Contract, copies of your baptismal certificates with notations*, and your deposit check to the parish office. If a non-parishioner, please also include the recommendation letter from your current pastor. Your wedding date will be secured after the parish office receives and reviews these items.

• Catholic parties must obtain an original certificate of their baptismal record issued from the church of their baptism upon reserving a wedding date and again within 6 months of your wedding date. Date and place of your First Communion and Confirmation are also needed. A baptismal certificate with “all notations” will include this information.

• Non-Catholic Christian parties must provide a photocopy of your baptismal certificate or other proof of baptism.

• For those who have not been baptized, no certificate is required. However, we recommend you check with your parents to be sure that you were never baptized.

• Saturday Weddings: 1:00 pm

• Weekday Weddings: 1:00 or 2:00 pm

Rehearsals

• Evening before the wedding at 4:00 pm

• FOCCUS or Prepare/Enrich (online questionnaire) - once completed, meet with the Pastor or Deacon to discuss results

• Sponsor Couple, Marriage Preparation Weekend, or approved Online Marriage Preparation (choose one)

• Introduction to Natural Family Planning (already included in the Marriage Preparation Weekend and Online Marriage Preparation)

• If the marriage preparation is taking place at another parish, all documentation must be submitted to Sacred Heart Cathedral at least 45 days prior to the wedding.

Obtain civil license at any County Courthouse in the State of Iowa. Visit the County Recorder’s website for more information. There is a waiting period between the license being issued and its validity, so please complete this process at least a week prior to the wedding date. 

• Bring license to the wedding rehearsal.

For Mixed Religion Unions: It is the practice at Sacred Heart Cathedral, that when either the bride or groom is not Catholic, the Rite of Marriage is celebrated as a marriage ceremony, but outside the context of a Mass with communion. This is out of respect for both the attendees who are not Catholic and the Eucharist. Through many years of celebrating many weddings, experience has taught that when a significant number of guests who are not Catholic are present, the marriage ceremony without communion seems to be the most respectful and inclusive way to celebrate and not cause confusion and/or uneasiness among guests and members of the wedding party related to who can/should receive communion. It should be noted that both ways of celebrating are equally valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church and any marriage between two baptized persons is seen as a Sacramental Bond. 

For Catholic/Catholic Unions: When both the bride and groom are Catholic, we encourage the couple to honestly discuss and evaluate their decision to have a Mass or a Ceremony. Some things to consider… 

• Will a significant number of guests and members of the wedding party be of a religious background other than Catholic?

• Have either the bride or groom recently entered the Catholic faith, while most of that person's family remains of a differing religious background?

If the answer is "yes" to either question, we ask that couples seriously consider celebrating the marriage with a ceremony outside of Mass out of respect to both their guests of other backgrounds and the Eucharist. Again - a marriage ceremony (without communion) is still a valid, Sacramental Marriage. 

The Cathedral will secure a presider for each wedding scheduled. If the marriage is to be scheduled as a ceremony (outside of Mass), a Deacon will preside. If both the bride and groom are Catholic or it is deemed most appropriate that the marriage is celebrated within a Mass, a Priest will preside. Couples may request a specific presider if they have a preference, and if that particular presider is available, he would be scheduled. If there is no preference for a particular presider, couples will be contacted 3-6 months prior to their wedding date with the name of the presider who will be performing the marriage. 

Please note: Due to the Cathedral having only one assigned priest and a number of liturgical events at any given time, occasionally the Cathedral will have to call on outside presiders. 

Yes, we welcome outside presiders. Upon securing your wedding date and making arrangements with the guest presider, please share the name and contact information of your presider with the Cathedral wedding staff. We will be in touch with your presider with details about Cathedral processes related to weddings. If your presider is out-of-state, he will be given instructions about filing credentials within the state of Iowa. 

A standard stipend for your wedding presider who has been arranged by the Cathedral is covered in the marriage preparation fee that you pay to the Cathedral upon securing your wedding date. 

If a couple chooses to ask a presider from outside the parish, the couple would be responsible for any gift or stipend paid to the presider. A customary offering would be $200. Couples may also want to take any travel expenses into account when determining an amount to pay the presider. 

Two coordinators from the parish will be assigned to your wedding date. They will help with the rehearsal, wedding, and any questions you may have on that day.

All items related to the wedding must be removed from the church, bride’s room and groom’s room by 2:45 pm (for Saturday afternoon weddings).