To plan your marriage prep timeline, we’ll back up 9 months from your wedding month to know the latest date you can take courses in each step. Select and register for all courses in the correct order and put everything on your wedding planning calendar!

9-Month Prep

  • January: By the end of January (or before …)
    You both meet with your Pastor or his delegate, and your parish starts your Nuptial File. FOCCUS or another Couple Discussion Inventory is begun!

  • March: By the end of March (or before…)
    Together you attend a Married Life Skills Course (either one weekend or 5-6 meetings in a parish course). Ex: Love for Life, Engaged Encounter, Transformed in Love, Witness to Love, Unitas or another approved parish program. (This course may be taken at a later time and not necessarily in order.)

  • May: By the end of May (or before…)
    Together you attend God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage day retreat.

  • June: By the end of June (or before…)
    Together you begin the full Natural Family Planning (NFP) course (4-6 sessions in a full course). This course takes 10-12 weeks to complete.
    *Start NFP course after you attend God’s Plan for Joy-filled Marriage.

  • August: By the end of August (or before…)
    Catholics receive the Sacrament of Confession. Attend a final meeting with your Pastor or his delegate to turn in all certificates!

Relevant Links

Glossary – Understanding Frequently Used Words and Phrases

FOCCUS – This is a quiz that you and your future spouse take.

Nuptial File – This the record of your marriage prep process at your parish.