Email Elizabeth to express your interest in getting married at St. Alphonsus. Briefly include:

• Which parish do you belong to?

  • Let us know if you regularly attend Sunday Mass at St. Alphonsus or elsewhere

  • Do you or your intended spouse reside outside the Diocese of Grand Rapids?

• Why do you want to get married at St. Alphonsus?
  

Topics to Cover:

• Determine freedom to marry

• Discuss marriage preparation process

• Complete “A” Form

• Schedule wedding date

• Discuss preparation fee

• Receive books used in preparation

Total fees:

• Wedding preparation with celebration at St. Alphonsus (active parishioner of St. Al’s): $1,000

• Weddings conducted non-affiliated with St. Alphonsus (non-parishioner): $3,000

• Preparation at St. Alphonsus for a wedding at another parish: $300

Note:

• An active parishioner regularly attends Sunday worship at the parish and is active in the life of grace offered through the sacraments.

• An active parishioner gives of themselves by donating TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE to the ministries of the parish and/or to the volunteer organizations that support the parish. We are to share in the responsibilities that carry out the mission and vision of the parish to offer transformational encounters with Jesus.

• An active parishioner is a good financial steward of the Church. As a parishioner, it is important to understand that giving financially to support the parish is a vital and key component to active parishioner status.

• At least one member of the couple must be an active parishioner for a minimum of two years prior to beginning wedding preparation.

There is a required $500 deposit to secure your chosen wedding date at St. Alphonsus. The date is not confirmed until after steps one and two.

Final payments are due no later than 30 days before the wedding date.

All payments can be taken through check or online.

-You will be emailed a FOCCUS Inventory within one week of your initial meeting. Please be sure to check your spam folder. This is a online relationship assessment.

-Once you have finished the FOCCUS inventory, schedule a meeting with Fr. Christopher or Deacon John to review your results.

-Couples are required to take a Natural Family Planning course. This is the preferred option. Please send your completed certificate to Elizabeth.

Couples are required to attend a Pre-Cana Wedding Retreat in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Pre-Cana retreats allow couples to enter more fully into the Sacrament of Marriage while being surrounded by others in the area who are in the same process.

Couples to be married at St. Alphonsus, please email the parish office with a certificate of completion for the course that you have taken two months prior to your wedding.

You will have been provided with a parish Wedding Coordinator. Expect to hear from them at least six months before your wedding day.

• Coordinators will schedule a wedding rehearsal and be your main contact point in your marriage preparations.

• Meet with the Music Director to determine who will do music and the selection of music. Contact Gabe Groh to set up a meeting.
  

• Select the readings and complete this form for the priest/officiant.

It is such a gift to enter into the Sacrament of Marriage knowing the gift of God's forgiveness. For this reason, couples are encouraged to go to confession before their wedding.

We offer Reconciliation:

• 4:30-5:15 p.m. and 6-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays

• 4:30-5:15 p.m. Wednesdays

• 11 a.m. to noon Fridays

Couples will have already set a rehearsal date with their Wedding Coordinator about six months prior to their wedding date.

We recommend rehearsals take place at 5 p.m. the day before the wedding.

Let your St. Alphonsus Coordinator know if you will be using an outside wedding planner/day-of coordinator. If there has been a hired “Wedding Planner,” please note that they will have no authority while on the property, especially regarding the Wedding Liturgy

Our Coordinators will run the rehearsal and ceremony, allowing your planner to attend to reception set-up or other details.

We believe that full flourishing comes from healing the body, mind, and soul.

Below is a list of Catholic Counselors who might be helpful for you individually and/or as a couple as you prepare for engagement or during marriage.

• Catholic Psych Institute

• Franciscan Life Process Center

Other Resources:

• Encounter Ministries

• John Paul II Healing Center

• Catechism of the Catholic Church