Guardian Angel Cathedral is the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas, serving all of southern Nevada and two suffragan dioceses (the Diocese of Reno and the Diocese of Salt Lake City). In practice, the Cathedral serves all Catholics in Nevada and Utah, which creates unique scheduling requirements not present in other parishes.
All couples seeking marriage at Guardian Angel Cathedral must begin the process with an initial intake interview.
Couples currently residing in the United States must complete this interview at least 12 months before the requested wedding date.
Couples residing outside the United States must complete this interview at least 18 months before the requested wedding date.
These timelines are absolute and cannot be shortened or waived under any circumstances.
Weddings are celebrated at 11:00 AM on select Saturdays only.
Wedding rehearsals are held at 1:00 PM on the Friday immediately preceding the wedding.
Weddings or rehearsals cannot be scheduled at any other times.
All marriage preparation must be completed and cleared through the Metropolitan Tribunal before a wedding can be scheduled.
All paperwork must be received by the Tribunal at least 90 days (three months) before the wedding date. Without it, the Cathedral reserves the right to cancel the wedding and release the date.
There are no expedited or “fast-track” weddings under any circumstances, including in Las Vegas.
Contact your parish priest (or one of our priests) before booking reception venues, hotels, or photographers.
Do not secure venues until the initial phase of marriage preparation is completed.
The Archdiocese’s comprehensive marriage guidelines are available here: Marriage Information – Archdiocese of Las Vegas.
Due to the Cathedral’s Archdiocesan role, the following dates are not available for weddings:
December 1 - January 21
The Fifth Week of Lent through Pentecost
All of May
To place a hold on Guardian Angel Cathedral:
Begin marriage preparation with your local parish priest.
Your priest must provide a letter confirming he is preparing you for the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Your parish pastor must provide a second letter granting permission for you to marry outside your registered parish. (If your pastor is also preparing you, this can be a combined statement.)
Your priest must confirm that you are free to marry:
Not previously married, OR
If divorced, an annulment has been granted.
Once these letters and permissions are secured, you may submit a 50% non-refundable deposit to hold your wedding date formally.
Please note:
A hold is only valid once all documentation and the deposit are received.
Emailing the Cathedral office or completing only one or two of the requirements does not constitute a hold.
Even after a hold is placed, the Cathedral reserves the right to cancel if paperwork is not fully completed and submitted to the Tribunal at least 90 days in advance.
As a parish within the Archdiocese of Las Vegas, Guardian Angel Cathedral follows the established marriage preparation requirements of the Church. Your local parish will have the appropriate paperwork for marriage preparation, but for all couples, the following documents must be obtained and submitted:
Pre-Nuptial Investigation Forms
Provided by your parish priest or deacon; must be completed in consultation with them.
Affidavits of Freedom to Marry
Required for both bride and groom, dated within the previous six months. Accepted from any diocese.
Recently Issued Baptismal Certificates
For all Catholic parties, certificates must be dated within six months of submission.
Dispensations (if required)
Determined by your parish priest in consultation with the Archdiocese of Las Vegas.
Declaration of Nullity (if applicable)
Required for any previous marriage(s) where an annulment has been granted.
Death Certificate (if applicable)
Must be provided for any previous spouse, if widowed.
Pre-Marital Instruction Statement
A written statement from your parish priest confirming that pre-marital instructions have been completed by both parties.
Parish Priest’s Permission
Written permission from your parish priest authorizing a priest of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas to officiate at Guardian Angel Cathedral.
State of Nevada Marriage License
Must be obtained from the Clark County Marriage Bureau (200 S. Third Avenue, Las Vegas, NV).
Both bride and groom must appear together before a marriage license agent.
No blood test, waiting period, residence, or citizenship is required.
Licenses are issued immediately and are valid for one year.
Licenses from other states or countries are not accepted by the State of Nevada.
Couples who wish to have a priest from outside the Archdiocese of Las Vegas preside at their wedding at Guardian Angel Cathedral must meet additional requirements:
The Metropolitan Tribunal and the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas require a Letter of Good Standing with a raised seal, which must be submitted a minimum of 90 days before the wedding.
This letter must be issued directly by the priest’s diocese or religious superior and attest that the priest is in good standing and authorized to celebrate the Sacraments.
All priests are also responsible for ensuring that they hold the appropriate civil license to officiate weddings in Nevada. This requires completing the process outlined by the Clark County Clerk’s Office: Clark County Marriage Officiant Requirements.
Without both the raised-seal Letter of Good Standing and proof of compliance with all civil licensing requirements, the priest will not be permitted to officiate at Guardian Angel Cathedral. Failure to provide these documents may result in the cancellation of your wedding, as the Cathedral cannot guarantee the availability of another priest to step in at the last moment. In such circumstances, Guardian Angel Cathedral bears no responsibility or liability for the disruption or cancellation of the ceremony.
Guardian Angel Cathedral serves the entire Catholic community of Nevada and Utah. To ensure all weddings are celebrated with due reverence and in compliance with Church law, these requirements are strictly enforced.