Marriage Preparation Process

Please realize that the determination of readiness for the sacrament of matrimony is a pastoral decision. Additional preparation may be required. Because of the length of the marriage preparation process, it is necessary to begin the process 6 months in advance of the intended wedding date.

1.   Complete the Marriage Intake Form,  and after submitting the form, contact Denise Abele at
(512) 258-1161, x 223. Hours: M-Th 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Denise will help you set up your first pre-nuptial meeting. Nuptial meetings are held during business hours with clergy. 

2.    If you are a parishioner at St. Thomas More, your marriage preparation should be completed at St. Thomas More. If you are marrying at St. Thomas More, but live out of town/state, you will complete your marriage preparation at your local parish. If going through another parish for marriage preparation, please have the parish send a letter stating that they are responsible for all canonical paperwork and marriage preparation classes. A wedding will not be booked until we have confirmation that a couple is registered for a program. The completed wedding packet must be sent to the Diocese of Austin no later than two months in advance of the wedding.

3.    Please indicate to St. Thomas More whether you wish to celebrate the sacrament in the context of a mass, or within a Liturgy of the Word. A priest may preside at all weddings, and a deacon can only preside at the Liturgy of the Word.

4.    All communication and questions regarding marriage preparation and wedding liturgy are to be made by the couple getting married and not family members of the couple.

5.   No date is confirmed until a $100 non-refundable deposit is made, and clergy availability is established. A wedding cannot be booked until freedom to marry is determined. This is determined in the first contact of the couple to St. Thomas More. 

6.   All couples marrying at St. Thomas More are required to complete a Relationship Inventory (Prepare/Enrich), Engaged Sponsor Couple program, and an introduction to Natural Family Planning (NFP).  However, all couples are encouraged to take a full Natural Family Planning course.

7.   Marriage Preparation fees are separate from the wedding reservation fee. Please call the Marriage & Family Life office to discuss your marriage preparation.