Marriage is a Sacrament in the Roman Catholic tradition. In order to receive the Sacrament of Marriage at St. Henry Parish, at least one of the individuals must be a baptized Catholic. If either person has been previously married, the preparation time may take longer.

We ask that you contact the parish at least 6 months before the proposed wedding date. The pre-marriage preparation includes taking part in a counseling and seminar program in addition to meeting with the parish priest/deacon to plan the ceremony. A wedding hostess will be assigned to the couple to help with the coordination of the church for the wedding. She will be available to help answer questions regarding the church environment and will assist with the wedding rehearsal and wedding.

To enroll in our Pre-Marriage Program, please call the parish office at 503-665-9129.

For Your Marriage
From the Archdiocese of Portland Marriage Preperation

According to Church Law, Catholics who have not been confirmed are to recieved the Sacrament of Confirmation before they are married. 
It is also strongly recommended that Catholics recieve the Sacrament of Confession piror to their wedding. 

Baptismal Certificate: You must obtain a curreny copy of your Baptsismal Certificate from the Parish or Church you were baptized in. Non-Catholics who have recieved the Sacrament of Baptism are also asked to obtain a copy of their baptismal certificate or a letter verifying their baptism. 

Church Forms: There are 2 forms required by the Church. Both parties must complete these forms indvidually. Please come into the St. Henry's Parish Office to inquire about these forms. 

Civil License: It is the responsbility of the couple  to secure a civil license to marry. Please look at the Mulnomah County website or call their office for more information. 

The Archdiocese asks that the sacrament of matrimony is celebrated inside the Church. Weddings can be celebrated with or without a mass. Priests or Deacons from outside the parish are required to follow St. Henry's guidelines and to be registered to perform marriages in Oregon. 

Pictures may be taken before, during and after the ceremony. We ask that your wedding photographer be respectful of both the Mass and the Church at all times. If pictures are taken before Mass, we ask that the photographer leave the sanctuary 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. Flash photography is not permitted during the ceremony. Photos must be completed before the next Mass.

Everything about the service, including the music, calls for careful planning. Popular contemporary music is not appropriate within the ceremony. Please refer to your wedding Hostess or the priest or deacon that is working with you to choose appropriate music. You will be asked to review your music with the priest or deacon. If you are unsure how to find a musician, please call the Parish Office to inquire about the avalibility of Church musicians. 

You will be assigned a wedding hostess to help with the coordination of the church for your wedding. She will be avaliable to help with your questions regarding the Church and will be present at both your Wedding Rehearsal and Wedding Ceremony to make sure the day goes smoothly. 

$350 is the wedding fee at St. Henry's (Check payable to St. Henry's). 

The Wedding Hostess fee is $200 (Check made payable to your assinged Wedding Hostess) 

If you are using a St. Henry's musician, arrange a payment with your musician indvidually. It is also normal to give a small payment to an altar servers your are using. 

Priests do not accept stipends for pastoral services (Weddings), however, a donation to the Church is considered appropriate.