Weddings

Wedding Preparation

Congratulations on your engagement and your decision to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony at Our Lady of the Lake! This is a sacred and joyful time, and our parish family is honored to walk with you as you prepare for this lifelong commitment. We are here to guide you spiritually and practically, ensuring your wedding day and marriage preparation are meaningful and grace-filled. May God bless you on this journey.

In the Catholic Church, marriage is a sacred and permanent sacrament, governed by the canonical laws of the universal Church, the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and the State of Michigan. At Our Lady of the Lake, we take this commitment seriously and require thorough preparation to ensure you are prepared for this vocation.

Through this period of preparation, it is our goal to provide you with a clear and easy path forward. Follow these steps to ensure your preparation runs smoothly:

  1. Review our policies and guidelines in the document below.
  2. Return the completed application form to the parish office (found below or on the final page of the document).
  3. Schedule an appointment with our pastor.
  4. Once the wedding is approved, our pastor and staff will work closely with you on the next steps, including paying your deposit, completing your pre-marital inventory, meeting with a sponsor couple, attending a Pre-Cana retreat, and planning the liturgy.
OLL Wedding Preparation Guidelines Rev. 10.15.25Download

Wedding Application

Please complete this application if you have read the guidelines and would like to schedule a meeting with Father Michael to further discuss having your wedding at Our Lady of the Lake.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Requested Wedding Time(Required)
:
Officiant(Required)
Groom's Name(Required)
Groom's Address(Required)
Has Groom Been Previously Married?(Required)
Bride's Name(Required)
Bride's Address(Required)
Has Bride Been Previously Married?(Required)
Consent(Required)

Additional Resources

Photo and Video Policies (Coming Soon)
Facility Use Policies (Coming Soon)

Join Our Parish

Weddings are typically celebrated in the parish where you are registered, attend Mass, support the parish financially, and participate in parish activities.

To qualify as an OLL parishioner, you must:

  • Be registered under your own name for at least one year. Membership through a relative does not qualify.
  • Regularly attend Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation at Our Lady of the Lake.
  • Contribute consistently to the parish through financial support and volunteer service.

Non-parishioners may still request a wedding at OLL, but the preparation process and associated costs may differ.

Become A Parishioner

Pre-Cana Retreats

The Diocese of Grand Rapids requires a minimum of six months for marriage preparation, although we recommend starting at least one year in advance. The Sacrament of Matrimony requires more than material planning for the wedding day. It requires time, prayer, and reflection to establish a solid foundation for your marriage.

All couples must attend an approved Pre-Cana retreat. Couples are encouraged to register early for these programs. To find a class, visit the link below and click the “Marriage Preparation Classes” button.

Find A Pre-Cana Class

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

There are several NFP methods available. Each method utilizes Fertility Awareness concepts to help couples achieve 98-99% accuracy in spacing pregnancies. Each method can be used with irregular cycles. Postpartum & Premenopause classes exist as well.

For most methods, both online and in-person classes are available. Instructors provide many chart reviews to ensure students feel confident using NFP.

Taking an NFP Class is optional, but highly recommended. Couples are encouraged to register early for these classes. Visit the link below for current courses and registration details.

Find An NFP Class