Couples interested in being married at St. David the King are encouraged to contact the parish at least one year in advance of their desired wedding date. This will help ensure availability and provide sufficient time for the important preparation process we recommend.
To schedule a wedding, couples should generally be registered parishioners or have previously celebrated sacraments at our parish. If you are a local resident and not yet registered, we invite you to begin the registration process. For couples who are not registered parishioners or who live outside the West Windsor/Princeton Junction area, a letter of permission from your parish pastor is required before a wedding date can be confirmed.
Please reach out to the parish office as early as possible in your planning process. We are happy to assist with any questions and help you choose a wedding date.
PREPARATION PROCESS
Marriage preparation at St. David the King consists of three primary components: the FOCCUS Inventory, the Pre-Cana Retreat, and the Natural Family Planning (NFP) Online Course. Couples will also meet with either Fr. Jason or Deacon Tom for an initial meeting to complete necessary paperwork and discuss any questions they may have.
1. FOCCUS Inventory
The FOCCUS Inventory is designed to help couples explore their relationship, understand each other better, and discuss important topics for their future life together. The inventory is completed online, and then reviewed in person with Fr. Jason, Deacon Tom, or a trained couple from the parish. This typically takes 3 to 5 sessions.
2. Pre-Cana Retreat
The Pre-Cana Retreat provides engaged couples with the opportunity to reflect on key aspects of marriage. This day-long retreat or Virtual Retreat is led by couples for couples, offering insights into common challenges and ways to strengthen your relationship. The retreat fee is $180 per couple. Couples should register for the retreat day that best fits their schedule. Upon completion, a certificate will be issued, which must be submitted to the parish for your marriage file.
3. Natural Family Planning (NFP) Course
The NFP Online Course is offered through CatechismClass.com and costs $29.95 per participant. The course is self-paced, taking approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete, and each person must have their own account to finish the course. Once completed, a certificate of completion should be submitted to the parish for your marriage file.
Final Meeting & Liturgy Planning
After completing the three primary components of Marriage Prep, the couple will meet again with either Fr. Jason or Deacon Tom to select scripture readings and discuss the details of the wedding liturgy. The couple is also encouraged to contact the parish music director, Carol Tewksbury, to discuss music selections for the ceremony.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can a Catholic marry a non-Catholic in a Catholic liturgy?
Yes, a Catholic can marry a non-Catholic in a Catholic liturgy. If a Catholic wishes to marry a baptized Christian from another denomination, this requires permission from the local bishop, which is typically granted. In this case, the marriage is considered sacramental.
If a Catholic wishes to marry a non-baptized person, the bishop can also grant permission, but the marriage is not regarded as sacramental in the eyes of the Church.
For couples in a mixed marriage (Catholic and non-Catholic), a wedding ceremony without the Eucharist will be celebrated. For couples where both parties are Catholic, a Wedding Mass will be celebrated.
2. If I have a previous marriage, does it need to be annulled by the Catholic Church?
If your former spouse is still alive, any previous marriage must be annulled by the Church before you can marry in the Catholic Church. In some cases, such as when a Catholic married outside the Church, the annulment process may be straightforward and relatively quick. In other cases, it may be more complex and take longer.
We encourage you to consult a priest or deacon at St. David the King if you have any questions about your specific situation. A wedding date cannot be set until any necessary annulment has been granted.
3. My spouse and I were not originally married in the Church, but we would now like to have our marriage blessed. Is that possible?
Yes, this is called a convalidation of your marriage, and it is definitely possible. Convalidation is a simple process, particularly if neither of you needs an annulment of a prior marriage. Please reach out to a priest or deacon at the parish to learn more about the steps involved in having your marriage convalidated.
FEE SCHEDULE
Base Fee: $550
Includes:
- Use of the church for the wedding ceremony
- FOCCUS Inventory (pre-marriage inventory assessment)
- Together for Life Planning Book (for ceremony planning)
- Church maintenance and janitorial expenses
Music Fee: $450
Includes:
- Parish organist
- One parish cantor
Note: If the couple chooses to bring in outside musicians, these must be approved by the pastor in advance. If approved, the music fee will be waived. The couple will be responsible for any fees associated with outside musicians, which should be paid directly to the musicians.
Pre-Cana Retreat: $180
- Paid by the couple at the time of registration to the service provider
- Mandatory for all couples preparing for marriage in the church
Natural Family Planning (NFP) Online Course: $59.90
- Cost for two online course modules
- Paid directly to the provider of the course when enrolling into the course
Celebrant Fee: (Optional)
- The celebrant (priest or deacon) is not compensated by the parish.
- If the couple wishes to offer a gift to the celebrant, it should be given directly to the celebrant by the couple.
Additional Information
- Payment Schedule:
- A deposit of $200 is required upon booking your wedding date.
- Remaining balance of $800 is due by/at the Rehearsal.
- The deposit and balance should be paid by check, payable to Saint David the King Parish
- Cancellation Policy:
- If the wedding is canceled, the deposit is non-refundable.
- Any payments made for services (e.g., Pre-Cana, NFP Course, etc.) follow the policies of the service provider.
- Availability:
- Wedding dates are subject to availability.
- Please contact the parish office for current availability and to schedule a meeting with the pastor.