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Weddings (Marriage)

- Congratulations on your engagement!
  We are blessed to walk with you as you prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage.
  
  As marriage is both a personal commitment and a celebration of faith within the parish community, we ask that couples seeking to marry at St. Peter be active parishioners—sharing their gifts through regular participation in Mass, parish ministries, and/or financial support before contacting us for marriage at the church.
  
  We encourage you to contact us about a year before your desired wedding date. Marriage preparation typically takes several months and includes both parish and diocesan steps.
  
  For a helpful overview that provides important information about the marriage requirements
  and the process for preparing for your wedding:
  visit Marriage – Diocese of Charlotte
  
  If you are a parishioner interested in being married at St. Peter—or preparing here for a wedding in another Catholic church—email Deacon Jim Bozik to begin the conversation.
  
  Find Frequently Asked Questions below (keep scrolling)
frequently asked questions
- Do I or my fiancé need to be members of St. Peter for a marriage to be celebrated at St. Peter?
  Yes, parish membership is required before you can reserve the church for a marriage.
  You or your family must be an ACTIVE member (sharing your gifts through regular participation in Mass, participating in parish ministries and events ,and contributing financially).
- When should I contact St. Peter parish about a marriage date or completing preparation for a marriage happening somewhere else?
  Contact Deacon Jim Bozik at least 12 months before the planned marriage date.
  If you hope to have the wedding at St. Peter parish, you should ensure the wedding date you want is available at the church before reserving any reception location.
  Weddings at St. Peter Church are scheduled on Saturday at 2:00 pm although not all Saturdays are available. There are specific Saturdays when St. Peter cannot schedule a wedding.
- Are there dates when marriages can't be scheduled at St. Peter?
  Yes.
  The first three Saturdays of May are reserved for First Communion and Confirmation Masses.
  There are restrictions on marriages during Lent and Advent. Only Convalidation ceremonies will be permitted during Advent.
  
  It is important to note, we are at the mercy of some events occurring in Uptown Charlotte and other parish events that would interfere with a marriage celebratio:
  Taste of Charlotte in June
  Charlotte Pride Festival in August
  Veteran’s Day parade in November
  Or any Saturday when South Tryon Street is closed.
- When does marriage preparation begin? And what is involved?
  Marriage preparation begins about 6-7 months before the wedding date.
  
  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte has published a Marriage Preparation Guide that we suggest you read. It contains all the details including preparing for your marriage, setting the date and place of your wedding, and more.
  Diocesan Guide for Couples Getting Married
- My fiancé is not Catholic. Can we still be married in a Catholic Church?
  Yes, marriages between a Catholic and non-Catholic are common. A Mass is the recommended celebration for a marriage between two Catholics. For a Catholic and a non-Catholic marriage, it is celebrated outside of Mass. The actual ceremony is very similar.
- We’d like to be married outside of a church (i.e. a park). Does the Catholic Church permit this?
  Marriage between two baptized persons may not take place outdoors, in parks, on the beach, or in hotels or at a private residence. The Charlotte Diocese does not permit marriages to occur outside of a Catholic Church.
- My fiancé and I are members of St. Peter but are being married at another Catholic Church. How does marriage preparation work in our case?
  Marriage preparation should still occur at the parish where you are registered and active.
  Completing the preparation at a parish different from where the wedding will occur is common.
  
  If your wedding will take place in another diocese, it is important that you communicate early with the priest or deacon who will officiate at the nuptials. Locally, you will receive the same marriage preparation as is afforded to other couples. However, be mindful that the wedding officiant who will witness your vows is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the proper forms are completed and dispensations/permissions are secured (as needed).
- Is it permitted to have a priest (or deacon) celebrate our marriage who is not on staff at St. Peter?
  Yes, the Priest or Deacon simply writes a letter requesting permission to celebrate the wedding to the Charlotte Diocese.
  If the priest or deacon belongs to a different diocese, he will also need to have his diocese send a Letter of Suitability to the Diocese of Charlotte.
- We live in a different state, but my parents are members of St. Peter. Can we celebrate our marriage at St. Peter?
  If your parents are active members (contributing financially and participating in St. Peter’s events or ministries), then yes, you have the opportunity to schedule a wedding at St. Peter.
  
  Marriage preparation would occur at the parish you currently attend.
- We were married in a civil or non-Catholic ceremony. Can we now get married in the Catholic Church?
  Yes, sacramental marriages that occur after a wedding that has not been recognized by the Catholic Church are called “convalidations.”
  Typically, a convalidation can take place once the couple has been (non-sacramentally) married for at least 2 years.
  Preparation for convalidations follows a similar path to other marriages.
- I and/or my fiancé was previously married and divorced. What steps must we take before our marriage can occur?
  Whether the person married previously was Catholic or not, they must obtain an annulment of the prior marriage before preparation can begin for the current marriage.
  Preparation for marriage cannot begin until there is an annulment. (This is why we recommend contacting the parish at least 12 months prior to the planned marriage.)