We are delighted that you have chosen to receive the sacrament of marriage. We look forward to working with you to plan your wedding and prepare you for the sacrament of marriage. Normally, the initial interview and setting of your date should occur 6 months to one year in advance of the date of your wedding.
6 months before the wedding: Preparation has already begun. There will be about 6 meetings with the priest, usually finishing about a month before the wedding takes place, along with any other preparation the priest feels is needed. At that time, you will be given the planning book to plan the rite of marriage.
Brand new baptismal certificates must be obtained from your parish of baptism and submitted to the priest. A confirmation certificate must also be obtained if you have been confirmed.
The music director will meet with you two months before the wedding date. It is your responsibility to contact the music director and make arrangements.
A civil marriage license must be obtained and presented to the priest prior to the wedding rehearsal.
To be married in St. Mary’s Parish, one must be a registered member of the parish. Former parishioners who wish you be married here must obtain written permission from the pastor of their parish where they reside now.
The sacrament of marriage may never be contracted by people with previous marriages and no date may ever be set until an annulment or decree of nulity is obtained from the archdiocese marriage tribunal.
Photographers may take pictures and videographers may video the wedding, however they must be given our rules which are not to stop or interrupt the ceremony in any way and and to remain outside of the altar rail when taking pictures and videographing.
Any flowers attached to the pews must be attached any means other than tape. No rose petals or artificial rose petals may be scattered, no birdseed and only artificial or designer rice (http://www.weddingrice.com) may be scattered outside of church due to insurance policies and for safety reasons.
The use of runners is not prohibited, but strongly discouraged due to safety concerns.
When planning your rehearsal, plan any rehearsal dinner after the rehearsal.
Sobriety – The bride and groom must not take any alcoholic beverages on the day of the wedding prior to the ceremony. Validity of the rite of marriage is compromised if one does so.
You are expected to be on time for your wedding. Please be considerate and do your best to get limo drivers to cooperate with you. Groom and groomsmen must be here one half hour before the start of the wedding. Should you be late in excess of 15 minutes, this may mean omission of certain parts of your ceremony, especially if there is another wedding waiting or there is a chance of the delay of the start of 5 p.m. mass on Saturday.
No more than two flower arrangements may be put in the church in the sanctuary area. The use of a paper runner is discouraged. The donation to the church for a wedding is as follows: an envelope labeled St. Mary’s with a check payable to St. Mary’s in the amount of $250, an envelope labeled singer with $175 cash, and an envelope labeled organist with $250 cash. It is very important that these envelopes be brought with you to your rehearsal at the church the night before the wedding and be given to the priest.
These rules are meant to foster a solemn, dignified atmosphere for your most important day. Your cooperation is expected and appreciated by all.