Marriage

My dear friends, you have come together in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the church’s minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity.—from the Rite of Marriage

Praised be the Lord Jesus Christ! As you prepare for your wedding here at Good Shepherd Church. We want to make sure you are spiritually prepared for Holy Matrimony. Here are the requirements we ask: 

Preparing for Your Wedding

1) Contact the Pastor: Fr. Ed (310) 285-5425, at least six months to one year prior to your wedding date. In your first meeting, you will be given instructions what is needed for your wedding ceremony and to apply for a Marriage License.

2) Certificate of Completion: of either a three-day or a one-day Marriage Retreat. You can register for these online: 3-days CEEofLA.org, or 1-day archla.org/marriageprep.

3) Complete Prepare and Enrich Test: (taken online) and follow up by one session with our Marriage Counselor, Dr. Rebecca Udell and results will then be discussed with the couple. Dr. Udell can be reached at 310-402-6385.

4) Four Letters of Freedom: Two for the bride and two for the groom. These must be signed preferably by two parents or relatives who could testify to your freedom to marry in the Catholic Church. All four Forms must be signed in the presence of a Catholic Priest, with the Church Seal, or in the presence of a Notary Public with their Stamped Seal.

5) Sacramental Records: An updated (within the last six months) Baptismal Certificate for both the bride and groom with notations on the back regarding First Communion or Confirmation. If notations are not present on the back, then we need to have a certificate from the Church where each one received First Communion or Confirmation. If the bride or groom is Christian but not a Catholic, then a Baptismal Certificate from the Christian Church is needed. If the bride or groom is neither Catholic nor Christian, then Sacramental records are not needed. All original Certificates remains in your marriage folder. 

6) Sunday Mass attendance: A couple preparing for Holy Matrimony is encouraged to worship on the day of the Lord’s resurrection. We grow in relationship with Jesus by spending time with Him. We are encouraged to listen to His word and consume His body and blood every Sunday.

7) Pick up a copy of: “Together For Life” Booklet. This booklet will assist you in selecting the Readings for your wedding ceremony. 

8) Complete a FOCCUS Inventory: All couples are required to participate in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Engaged Encounter weekend or one-day session on marriage preparation.

*NOTE: All documentation needs to be received within six months of the wedding date.

Wedding Fees

• The wedding fee at Good Shepherd Church is $2,500.
• There is a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure the date of your wedding ceremony.
• $200 Cleaning Fee. (Will be refunded only if the church is cleaned up after your wedding.)
• Balance Due: 30 days prior to the wedding date.
• The fee for a wedding elsewhere, yet prepared at Good Shepherd, is $500 and should be paid three months prior to the wedding date and before your file is submitted to the church of your wedding ceremony.
• The Church fees do not include music fees. Contact Music Director Terry Hicks: thicks@gsbh.org to discuss fees and music selection.

For all other information, please contact Wedding Director, Michelle Anglade at manglade@gsbh.org.

Updated 1/21/23