The institution of marriage is a beautiful vocation, the beginning of family life and a great adventure. The Catholic Church rejoices in your decision to marry and wants to journey with you in your preparations and assist you in growing in your love for each other and in your relationship with Christ.
With this objective in mind, Catholic marriage preparation is mandatory for marrying in The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.  It is strongly recommended that the marriage course be taken at least 4-6 months before the wedding date. During the marriage preparation process, you will receive:

• What the Church believes and teaches about Catholic marriage and family life.
• Advice and practical assistance for your daily married lives together.
• An introductory session into Natural Family Planning, that is both reliable and in harmony with God’s design for sexual intimacy and Church teaching, to assist you with spacing births and working with any infertility issues.
• The witness of married couples to the sacrament of marriage and how it is lived in their lives.

To get started on your marriage preparation process, please view the page “Steps to Getting Married.”

Please contact the parish closest to where you live and arrange to meet with the priest and begin the marriage preparation process. If a marriage preparation program is not available through your parish, you may register for any of the below programs.

Regular Marriage Preparation (RMP)

• A weekend course for couples entering first-time marriages, couples 40 and younger, and couples who have children together. The fee for this course is $225.00 per couple.
• You will also complete a pre-marital survey that will help identify strengths and growth areas in your relationship.
• Click on a date below to register and pay online.
  
  2012 - 2013 RMP Dates

  #9-June 7-9, 2013 (full)
  2013 RMP Dates
  #1-September 20-22, 2013	#2-October 25-27. 2013	#3-November 22-24, 2013

Enriched Marriage Preparation (EMP)

• A weekend course for people over 40,  have previously been married, or who have a blended family (where step parenting is involved). The fee for this course is $275.00 per couple.
• You will also complete a pre-marital survey that will help identify strengths and growth areas in your relationship. An additional facilitation session is required.
• Click on a date below to register and pay online.
  
  2012 - 2013 EMP Dates

  #6E-May 24-26, 2013 - Dussault
  2013 EMP Dates
  #1E-September 27-29, 2013 - Davis	#2E-Nov 29 - Dec 1, 2013 - Dussault

Edmonton Catholic Engaged Encounter (ECEE)

• A weekend live-in marriage preparation program offered at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. The fee for this course is $375.00 per couple.
  For more information visit the website or to register please call 780-466-0090
  
  2012-2013 ECEE Dates

  May 24-26, 2013

  June 14-16, 2013

  November 1-3, 2013

Red Deer Catholic Engaged Encounter (RDCEE)

• A weekend marriage preparation program offered at Montfort Centre,
  5210 - 61 Street. The fee for this course is $200.00 per couple.
  
  2013 RDCEE Dates

  May 25-26, 2013

  October 19-20, 2013