St. Viator Catholic Community - Marriage Preparation

Each wedding at St. Viator Church is a very personal event. A wedding is one of those special moments in life when a couple gathers with all the people they cherish and proclaim what it means to be in love. Your wedding is not just a legal ceremony, but a sacrament and, therefore, a significant moment on your journey of faith. Thus, your wedding ceremony is much more than the exchange of marriage vows and the giving of rings. It is a sacrament filled with music, symbols, family, friends, and the rich tradition of our Catholic faith.

Everyone at St. Viator looks forward to the prospect of assisting you during this special time. We are here to help you as you prepare for this wonderful experience celebrating your love for one another in marriage and God's presence in your lives.

Procedures for Scheduling a Wedding at St. Viator Parish For engaged couples, please contact Sharon Sears at the parish office at 702.733.8323, ext. 302 or ssears@stviator.org, who will explain the process of preparing for a Catholic wedding and assist you in selecting a date for your wedding liturgy. An Introduction Meeting will be scheduled and the couple will receive a wedding information packet, which answers many of the bride and groom's questions.

Depending on each individual couple, certain documents are required before the wedding and will be determined at your introductory meeting. An example of some of the required paperwork to marry is listed below.

Marriage Registration Form
Newly re-issued Baptismal Certificates are required from the church you were baptized at; copies must have the raised seal of the church issuing them and be dated within six months of the ceremony.
Affidavit for Freedom to Marry
Copies of Legal Birth Certificate

The Diocese of Las Vegas requires couples to participate in the following marriage preparation programs.

PMI - During the preparation period, the priest or the marriage preparation coordinator will have the couple complete what is called the Pre-Marital Inventory. This inventory helps the couple examine their feelings and expectations concerning marriage. It should be noted that the priest working with the couple may determine that there is a question regarding the couple's readiness for marriage. He may refer the couple to a professional counselor for evaluation and assessment. Special Consideration: Persons under the age of 19 who wish to marry will be asked to receive individual evaluative counseling before the marriage can be arranged, in accordance with the policy of the Diocese of Las Vegas. In addition to completing the PMI Program, the couple attends one of the following preparation programs.
One Day Seminar - Group seminars are held four times a year, on Saturday, at St. Viator Parish Center. The morning session begins with a continental breakfast, followed by a discussion covering three topics: communication, values and finance. Lunch is provided and in the afternoon session couples discuss two other topics: sexuality & spirituality and marriage & family. The day ends with the 4:00 p.m. parish liturgy where the priest recognizes the couples and blesses their engagement rings.