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Marriage

Marriage (The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony)


“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him”

— John 2:11


Catholics believe that Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony by choosing to perform the first of His miracles at the Wedding at Cana. Couples choosing to be married in the context of the sacrament are not only inviting God to be a part of their wedding day but also of their marriage. The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is not only an opportunity to encounter the presence of God in a very unique and special way, but it is also an opportunity for the couple to thank God for His loving and provident hand at work in their lives.

If you are clicking this link because of your recent engagement, we want to begin by congratulating you on this momentous occasion in your lives. Please be assured of our prayers during this time of preparation. It is our goal to be as helpful as possible in helping you prepare for your special day, and your lifetime as a married couple. Marriage preparation can be broken down into several categories that are listed below. Please do not hesitate to delve into these categories with Fr. Larry if you have any questions or concerns.
  • Catholic Priests are allowed to celebrate the wedding ceremony of a man and women when they are both 18 years of age or older, and when at least one person is a baptized Catholic.
  • The couple must be free to be married in the Church. Practically speaking this means that neither may be seen, in the eyes of the Church, to be already married. The annulment process, as well as declaration of nullity, are processes in which previously married persons become free to marry in the Church. With so much bad information out there, please contact Fr. Larry if this is an issue in any way.
  • Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Chicago are only permitted to celebrate weddings in a parish church, or with special permission, at a Catholic Chapel. Examples of these chapels include the Chapel at St. Rita High School or Loyola University.
  • We are committed to making your wedding day a joyous occasion in the context of God’s love, so please contact the rectory for more information.
  • Please contact the rectory at least six months prior to your planned wedding date.  We also strongly encourage you to contact Christ the King before finalizing any details. We want to make sure that you are not disappointed in case of conflicting schedules.
  • After an initial meeting with Fr. Larry, we will jointly determine the best form of preparation for each couple. Our common goal is to have your preparation program tailored to meet your specific situation and needs. Once again, we are committed to working through this process with you.
  • In addition to preparing for your married life together, we will want to discuss the ceremony with you in order to gain information to personalize your special day. 
  • Jessica Riley is our Wedding Coordinator who will help organize the rehearsal and be present on the day of the wedding. This service is in addition to your wedding coordinator that may be brought in to assist the couple with the entire day
  • A Newly Issued Baptismal Certificate  The certificate must be obtained from the church of baptism with in the last six months.
  • Witness Affidavits  A witness affidavit is a Church document from family members, or life long friends, who can verify that you were baptized and that you are currently free to be married in the Church.
  • Certification of Completed Pre-Cana Preparation Program  The priest preparing you for marriage can explain this process in greater detail.
Marriage License  At this time, the only required civil document is a Marriage License that is issued from Cook County.  Both parties will need to be present when applying for the license and will need a photo ID. The license is valid for 60 days but May Not be used the day of issue.  More information can be found at cookcountyclerk.com.
  • Parish Fee for parishioners is $350 and the non-parishioner fee is $700
  • Marriage Coordinator  This is a mandatory fee that covers the cost of our onsite personnel - $150
  • Music Fee  This fee varies depending upon the choices that a couple will make. There is a minimum “Bench Fee” when not using the services of our parish Music Minister, Ed Zelnis.
  • Servers  It is customary to give each of the two altar servers a $20 gratuity, but this is not mandatory.