How soon should a couple begin marriage preparation with their parish priest?
In these days of “doing more with less,” parish priests and deacons are very busy people, so it is advisable to start at least a year in advance of your wedding. Please know that the seasons of Advent and Lent are filled with many duties for priests and deacons. Since marriage instruction involves several meetings, and gathering the paperwork takes time, the couple should plan ahead for adequate time to meet with the priest or deacon. While most parishes require six months of notification to begin marriage preparation, it is advisable to aim for ten to twelve months to begin preparation with a priest or deacon.
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