The Diocese of Fresno calls for a six-month preparation period to enable the couple with the Church's help to prepare spiritually for their wedding and, more importantly, for their married life together.  The preparation for marriage at Our Lady of Perpetpual Help Church includes, but is not limited to the following requirements:

1. Online Marriage Application.
   • Read Marriage Policies and Agreements
2. Required Documents
   • Recent Baptismal certificate, with notations for marriage. Must be recently printed within last 6 months from Church of Baptism.
   • Certificate copies of First Communion and Confirmation, if completed.
   • Flowers Agreeemt
   • Photography Agreement
3. Pre-Nuptial Investigation & Affidavits of Freedom to Marry by four witnesses.
   • Bride and Groom meet wth the Pastor.
   • Witnesses meet wth the Pastor. The bride and groom will both need a male and a female wintess. These can be relatives or friends of long standing who can vouch for your freedom to marry.  
4. Marriage preparation class completion certificate
   • Couple will take the Ascension Press Marriage Course, "Joy-filled Marriage Certification Course", click here to online course.
5. Marriage License
   • The Couple gets Marriage License 30 days prior to the date of the wedding.
   • Church marriages are legally recorded, this does not mean you get married civilly first.

MARRIAGE POLICIES

TYPES OF CEREMONY

The Catholic Church provides three different forms of celebrating the Rite of Marriage.

The first form, is when two Catholics are marrying, the celebration will normally take place within a Mass. The second form, which does not include a Mass, is used when a Catholic marries another baptized Christian. A third form, also outside Mass, is usually celebrated when a Catholic marries someone who is not baptized. The second and third forms are structured around the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word.

WEDDING COORDINATOR AND REHEARSAL

The OLPH Wedding Coordinator will contact you closer to your scheduled wedding date to scheudule your rehersal and answer any questions you may have. The Coordinator will be at the rehearsal as well as to direct the wedding party on the day of your marriage.

FEES

WEDDING, CONVALIDATIONS, & ANNIVERSARYS

The non-refundable deposit of $200.00 is due at the initial scheduled meeting to secure the date of the wedding. The total stipend to the church is due one-month prior to your scheduled wedding. Failure to pay the balance is an automatic cancellation of the ceremony. 

WEEKEND WEDDING
for Weddings on Friday or Satruday
Non-Refundable Depsoit: $200
Remaining Cost: $550.00
Total Cost: $750

WEEKDAY WEDDING
for Weddings on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
Non-Refundable Depsoit: $200
Remaining Cost: $175.00
Total Cost: $375

A gift/donation to the priest is always appreciated.

MUSIC (OPTIONAL)

The OLPH Music Director will contact you closer to your scheduled wedding date to discuss hymn choices and your preferences. Music is optional and fees are additional. The total stipend for music is due one-month prior to your scheduled wedding. Failure to pay the balance is an automatic cancellation of the musicans.

MUSICIAN FEES
$300 for one instrumentalist and one singer.
$150 for each additional musician(upon request). 

BRIDAL PARTY

Please help us maintain the reverence and dignity of the Lord’s house by informing members of the wedding party to refrain from chewing gum and imbibing alcoholic beverages prior to the wedding rehearsal and ceremony, and to come in proper dress. Anyone coming to the church intoxicated will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony, including the bride and/or groom.

FLOWER GIRLS
Flower girls may drop petals, but the wedding party will be responsible to clean up at the end of the ceremony.

DRESS GUIDELINES
Dress for the Bridal Party must be tasteful and approprite for Church. There is no bride’s room for the use of the bridal party. Everyone must arrive at the wedding ready to go.

SYMBOLS
In addition to the rings, the following symbols may be included in the ceremony, if desired: coins, lazo, other additional gifts or religious articles, and a bouquet for Our Lady. Any additional gifts of religious articles may be blessed at the end of the Mass.

RICE AND BIRDSEED
Throwing rice or birdseed, as well as guests blowing bubbles, is strictly prohibited on Church property for insurance reasons.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY AND DECORATION POLICIES
Please see the Photography Policy for complete guidelines.
Please see the Floral/Decoration Policy for complete guidelines.

WEDDINGS MUST BEGIN ON TIME
Due to the busy schedule of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church as well as out of respect for the professional schedules of the priest and ministries involved, we ask that you make every effort to ensure your bridal party and guests arrive early so that the celebration of your wedding begins on time. Please follow the Wedding Coordinator’s guidance regarding arrival time. If you arrive fifteen minutes late and you are scheduled to celebrate your marriage within the Mass, the Mass will no longer be celebrated. Instead, the priest will perform the Rite of Marriage without the Mass.