The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenants always express a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
-United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Outside of the Diocese of Orange
For both groom and bride who reside outside of the Diocese of Orange (view parish boundary map):
You are required to complete the instructions on the following page: Out-of-Diocese Couples. Note that you are NOT required to attend the Wedding Orientation meeting.
Within the Diocese of Orange
For either groom or bride who resides within the Diocese of Orange:
Both of you are required to attend the Wedding Orientation meeting.
Wedding Orientation
Date: 3rd Sunday of each month (No Wedding Orientations for the months of March and December 2026)
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Orientation will start promptly at 1 p.m. Please arrive early – seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Note that those who attend the 12 p.m. Spanish Mass at Christ Cathedral should attend a Mass at a different time as the 12 p.m. Spanish Mass ends after the Wedding Orientation begins.
Location: Large Gallery (View campus map)
Suggested Parking: Lots P5 and P7
Orientation Information:
• Documents listed under the “Documents Required for Marriage” section are required to be submitted at the Wedding Orientation
• Couples are required to attend only one (1) meeting at least nine (9) months prior to the proposed wedding date
• Wedding date, time, and venue will be confirmed approximately three (3) to four (4) weeks after attendance of Wedding Orientation (please have backup wedding dates in case your first choice is unavailable)
• If you are interested in a date in 2028, please plan to attend the Wedding Orientation meeting in February 2027. The 2028 calendar will open in March 2027.
As a courtesy to our staff, volunteers, and other couples, please email [email protected] if you would like to cancel or reschedule your Wedding Orientation date.
Documents Required for Marriage
Couples are required to submit the following applicable documents at the Wedding Orientation. THEREFORE, do not attend a Wedding Orientation if your applicable documents are not ready to be submitted at the Wedding Orientation:
• Wedding Agreement Form (download form here)
• Wedding Preference Form (download form here)
• Testimony to Prove Free State to Marry (Four (4) testimonies total needed: two (2) testimonies for groom and two (2) testimonies for bride. All testimonies must be completed in the presence of a priest/pastor, deacon, or public notary). The groom and bride do not need to be present during the completion of the testimonies.) (download form here).
• Pre-nuptial Investigation (Two (2) copies, form given at Wedding Orientation)
Sacramental Documents (For Catholics and Christians):
• Baptism Certificate (Contact your church of Baptism to request a newly-issued certificate (it may take several weeks to arrive if mailed). Baptism certificates older than one year on day of Wedding Orientation will not be accepted.)
• (If received the sacrament of Eucharist) First Communion Certificate (copy of certificate accepted)
• (If received the sacrament of Confirmation) Confirmation Certificate (copy of certificate accepted)
If already LEGALLY AND CIVILLY married and seeking blessing within the Catholic Church:
• Civil Marriage License (copy of license accepted)
If the groom or bride have been previously married, the following documents also need to be submitted for each prior marriage (copies of all are accepted):
• Civil Marriage License
• Final Divorce Decree/Judgement
• Proof of Annulment (contact your local Catholic parish priest to complete the process of Annulment, even if you were previously married outside the Catholic Church.)
• Death Certificate
Due one (1) month before wedding date:
• Marriage License (A newly issued and blank Marriage License may be obtained from the Orange County Courthouse and must be valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. Submit to the Christ Cathedral Liturgical Administrator)
Marriage Preparation
All couples getting married at Christ Cathedral where either the groom or bride reside within the Diocese of Orange are required to complete Christ Cathedral’s Marriage Preparation Course, which consists of: FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory, Witness to Love, NFP Basics, and one NFP Method Course of your choosing. Do not register for these programs until your wedding date has been confirmed by our Liturgical Administrator and you have paid the deposit for your wedding ceremony.
Couples where both the groom and bride reside outside the Diocese of Orange are to complete their marriage preparation at a parish within their home diocese.
Note: When registering for an NFP Method Course, do not choose another introductory course to NFP that has already been covered by NFP Basics.
Resources
Reception Reservation
To reserve a venue for a wedding reception on Christ Cathedral’s campus, please complete the Request for Proposal form using the following link: Request for Proposal