Matrimony

“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” 


–Catechism of the Catholic Church #1601


Congratulations on your engagement! 



We’re happy to help you prepare for your vocation of marriage! In order to have your wedding at the Proto-Cathedral, please note the following basic requirements:

  • One person must be Catholic

    At least one of the parties (the bride or the groom) must be a baptized Catholic. If you’re not Catholic and wish to become Catholic, let us know, and we can get you started in our RCIA program. 


    Because the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater is a sacred space for Catholic worship, our church is unavailable for weddings in which neither party is Catholic. 

  • Both persons must be free to marry

    If you or your fiance have been married before, even if it was a non-Catholic or a secular ceremony, you will have to petition for an annulment before you can be married in the Catholic faith. 


    This requirement applies to both the bride and the groom, even if the party isn’t Catholic. If your prior spouse has passed away, no annulment is needed. Contact the parish office for more information about petitioning for an annulment. 


    Please note that we are unable to set a date for your wedding until an annulment process is complete.

  • Time for marriage preparation

    Marriage is a serious, life-long commitment! Participating in our marriage preparation course is a required part of having your wedding at the Proto-Cathedral. This usually means you must contact us at least six months before your intended wedding date. 


    Because of various scheduling requirements, we strongly advise you to schedule your date with us before committing to a date with a reception venue.  

For further details, please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with our pastor.

For more information and resources for engaged couples preparing for marriage, Natural Family Planning, and Family and Parenting guides, please visit the Archdiocese of Seattle and USCCB websites found below.

Archdiocese of Seattle Marriage Resources

Archdiocese of Seattle 

Marriage Resources

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