Catholic Wedding Q&A

How long do we have to wait before we can be married in the Catholic Church?

Most dioceses do require a waiting period in order to ensure that couples are adequately prepared for the lifelong commitment of marriage. Generally, couples are asked to participate in some sort of marriage preparation classes during this time. According to a 2005 survey of diocesan marriage preparation guidelines, 70 percent of dioceses required a six-month waiting period; waiting periods in the remaining dioceses ranged from four to twelve months.

In the case of an emergency, you may be able to be married sooner than is usually allowed, but it is up to your pastor to determine whether your situation is an emergency.

For more information

Preparing for a lifelong marriage
To help them make good marriages, the Church requires engaged couples to do some work preparing for the responsibilities and challenges of marriage, usually through a formal marriage preparation program. Read about what to expect, and connect to marriage preparation resources online.