Q1: What do I need to get married?
Q2: What preparations are needed if I want to marry a non-Catholic?
Q3: Who should be our witnesses? 
 
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Q1: What do I need to get married?
A: First you must have a feeling of being called to the married life.· Having emotions and feelings for another person is a beginning, but not enough.· This is why the engagement period for couples is important.· This provides the opportunity to better know each other.· The Church requires Pre-Cana preparation and retreats to help provide a strong foundation for a healthy Catholic marriage.· It is possible that after this preparation couples decide they are not meant for each other. In other situations the preparation of Pre-Cana helps avoid marital stress in the future.· From a technical perspective, presuming that both are Catholic the Church requires that:

1. The parish pastor must be approached at least 6 months to a year before the desired date for the wedding.
2. The couple must participate in Pre-cana preparations offered by the diocese.
3. You need to obtain a recently issued certificate of Baptism (issued with-in 6 months) that includes notation on the reception of First Communion and Confirmation.· This is available from the Church where one was baptized.
4. A civil marriage license must be provided to the parish pastor at least 72 hours before the wedding date.

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Q2: What preparations are needed if I want to marry a non-Catholic?
A:· Additional preparations are needed for marrying a non-Catholic.· This will take some extra time, effort and consultation with your local parish priest.·· Please contact him for the requirements in your diocese.

Related information: Marrying someone of a Different Religion

Q3: Who should be our witnesses?
A: Two witnesses are required. They are to be one male and one female.· Preferably the witnesses would be practicing Catholics, but this is not a requirement.· The witnesses represent the assembly gathered at the ceremony for the exchange of vows and their names will be a permanent part of the marriage record.· You may want to consider that a witness does not need to be a part of your wedding party and can be someone from the congregation.