You are about to make a life-long commitment of love for one another—a decision which you should approach with great seriousness, as well as joyful hearts.  Marriage--the union of two individuals for life--is regarded as a sacrament in the Catholic Church and as with all sacraments, some preparation is needed by both the bride and the groom.  

In general, please allow AT LEAST NINE MONTHS in advance of the wedding date for preparation.  If one or both of you are under the age of 19, please allow for an additional month for professional evaluation.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
The seriousness of the marriage commitment, which is a witness to our beliefs, requires sincere and prayerful preparation. The laws of the church require that each party:
* Be free to marry (never having been married before; free due to death of a prior spouse; or declaration of invalidity of the previous bond).
*Have known each other for at least six months.
*Have adequate ability to make a mature and deliberative decision about marriage.
*Have the emotional, psychological, and spiritual capacities (abilities) to carry out the purposes of Christian marriage, form a community of life between husband and wife, and live a life of permanence and fidelity.
Steps for marriage preparation at St. Bernard of Clairvaux

First Step
Documents needed:

• A baptism certificate issued within the last six months (must be requested from the Church of Baptism for both parties -- This should include the notation of Confirmation and sometimes First Communion) and a First Communion certificate and Confirmation certificate.
• Legible birth certificate for both parties.
• Texas Identification or other current valid identification.
• If you are civilly married, you must present the marriage license. 

Note: If baptized in another denomination, the party of another faith must present a baptismal certificate or the date and place of Baptism.

Second Step
Appointment with the priest or deacon with the bride and groom and a witness for each of them, who have known them since adolescence.
The prenuptial forms and affidavits testifying to your freedom to marry are filled out during this meeting and signed by a parent, sibling, cousin, or someone who has known you since adolescence and will attest to your freedom to marry.

Third Step
Attend marriage preparation classes, and a Natural Family Planning class is required.

Fourth Step
The wedding date will reserved once the requirements for marriage preparation has been concluded.

Do not reserve a hall for the reception until your wedding is scheduled by a priest.

FOR MARRIAGES OUTSIDE THE DIOCESE OF DALLAS, COUPLES MUST PRESENT ALL DOCUMENTS TO THE PARISH OFFICE 9 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING DATE.
Wedding Masses are reserved only on Saturdays at 12 noon and 2 pm.

It is extremely important that you coordinate all aspects of your ceremony at St. Bernard of Clairvaux in order to comply with church policy and ensure a successful wedding ceremony.

Couples may make their ceremony as personal as possible within the guidelines of the Church.  It is important to remember the presence of Christ and the Blessed Sacrament in the church.  Therefore, the music before, during and after the ceremony should be liturgical (see music), and all members of the wedding party, including the bride, should plan for modest attire (no strapless or off the shoulder gowns or revealing necklines are allowed).  To maintain liturgical reverence, please coordinate all arrangements for music, organist, vocalist, video, photography, and church flowers in advance with our coordinator and music director.

Music
The main consultant regarding music selection and musicians is our music director.  We do not allow CD's or popular music to be played or sung at the ceremony.  

Be advised that a fee is required for each contracted liturgical musician.  Should you contract other musicians (vocalist or instrumentalist), it is required that the priest approve music selections.

Decoration
Rice, flowers, birdseeds, or any other material is not allowed to be thrown.  When decorating pews, keep in mind that tape is NOT allowed.  Flowers are to be secured with clamps.  

Once the wedding date is confirmed, you may reserve a hall for your reception.  We are not liable for any cancellation fees if the desired wedding date is not available or possible.  

One Month Prior to Confirmed Wedding Date

• • Call the wedding coordinator to confirm all final plans.  Deliver a copy of your marriage license to the wedding coordinator.

• • Since parishioners are in the church adoring the Blessed Sacrament, we must exhibit reverent behavior during the rehearsal.  Please instruct all members of the wedding party to observe proper etiquette in front of the Blessed Sacrament (reverence, modest attire, no disruptive behavior, gum chewing, food, or drink).

• • The wedding party must arrive 30 minutes prior to the wedding to ensure a prompt start time as weddings are scheduled 2 hours apart.
  • Enjoy God's blessing on your marriage.

The marriage bond:  From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive. The consent by which the spouses mutually give and receive one another is sealed by God himself. Thus, the marriage bond has been established by God Himself. . .a marriage. . .between baptized persons can never be dissolved. (CCC 1638-1640) Christ dwells with them, gives them the strength to take up their crosses and so follow him, to rise again after they have fallen, to forgive one another, to bear another's burdens, to "be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ." 
(Eph. 5:21, CCC 1642)