Marriage

Booking Dates for Weddings

The Archdiocese of Toronto policy is that a couple meets with the parish priests at least one year before the proposed marriage date to ensure adequate time for marriage preparation.

In the Catholic Church, weddings are traditionally not celebrated during certain penitential seasons to maintain a spirit of reflection and solemnity. These times are:

1. Advent – While weddings are not strictly forbidden, the Church encourages couples to consider the spirit of Advent, which is a season of preparation for Christmas. Celebrations are generally subdued, and decorations are kept simple.

2. Lent – The Church strongly discourages weddings during Lent, especially from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. Lent is a time for penance, fasting, and reflection on Christ’s Passion. Weddings may be allowed in special cases, but they should be simple and without the festive elements typical of wedding celebrations.

3. Holy Week and Triduum – No weddings are permitted during the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday), as these days are solemn and focused on Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

According to the particular law of the Archdiocese of Toronto (promulgated since 1971), weddings in the Catholic Church are not allowed to be celebrated on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation (January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and December 25, the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ).