Guidelines for Marriages at St. Mary's

Since marriage in the Catholic Church is a sacramental encounter between Christ and His Body, the Church, each celebration should be planned so as to provide a means whereby this encounter is clearly seen and joyfully proclaimed. In their preparation of this ceremony, couples need to be mindful of the sacredness of the space wherein Christ comes to join them in a visible manifestation of His Love. Anything which would inhibit such a holy encounter ought to be avoided. Couples, in planning the elements of their Marriage ceremony are asked to follow the Catholic Rite of Marriage, as outlined in Together for Life, by Rev. Joseph Champlin, and to coordinate individual aspects with their preparing priest.

As couples prepare for their celebration at St. Mary's, the Parish offers these helpful guidelines for their convenience and coordination of their 'special' day.

The normal celebrant of Marraige at St. Mary's is Pastor. If a couple wishes to have another Priest witness their Marriage, they need to request permission from the Pastor who will grant permission provided;

1. the Priest take full responsibility for the preparation of the couple, including administration of the Foccus instrument, all instruction sessions, and applications for any necessary dispensations.
2. the Priest makes the necessary arrangements for the rehearsal.
3. the Priest requests Servers, if needed.
4. the Priest instructs the couple to notify their home Parishes they will be getting Married so that the Banns of Marriage can be published in the Bulletin.

At St. Mary's the music used during the Marriage ceremony is to be chosen for the appropriateness of the celebration. Anything offensive to the Christian faith of the sacredness of the Sacrament is not permitted. The couple is responsible for providing and coordinating the music with their musician(s). Organ, guitar, flute, strings, and horns are permitted. No additional amplication systems are permitted. Once a couple has received the date for their celebration, it is their responsibility to make arrangements for their music. Finally, all selections of music must be cleared by the organist and Priest to assure that music proper for the Church is used.

Flowers lend to the festive decoration of the Church and are always to be encouraged. The Church provides standards for flowers. The choice, number, and style are left to the couple. The use of artificial flowers is permitted, but are requested to be removed following the wedding.

Excluding the normal Altar Candles, no additional candles or candelabra are permitted in the Church due to fire restrictions.

The practice of picture taking is encouraged provided:

1. group pictures are taken before the ceremony.
2. brief pictures after the ceremony are limited to 1/2 hour before Confessions on Saturdays.
3. the photographer be instructed not to obstruct the celebration and respect the sacredness of the Church's house of worship.

The custom of 'throwing rice'; while a symbolic gesture of well-wishers for the couple, causes unnecessary debris and is dangerous on the church steps and front sidewalk. Couples are asked to make it known that rice throwing is more appropriate at the Wedding Reception.

At St. Mary's, if the bride and her attendants wish to get dressed at Church, please inform the Pastor of this intent 1 week before the Wedding. Arrangements will be made through the Pastor so that a School Room can be used (PLEASE NOTE: If a school classroom is used, the wedding party is not permitted to go into the teacher's desk, nor the students' desks, or to damage the classroom. Responsible parties will be asked the pay for the damages).

The Church provides the space for the celebration of the couple's marriage. The minimum donation charged is $75.00 for utilities, maintenance of the facility, as well as administrative materials. If servers are used from the Parish, a stipend of $5.00 is given to each. No stipend is set for the officiating Priest. All fees, including Church, Musicians, Servers should be paid prior to the Ceremony.

Couples should be reminded that there is a 3 day waiting period from the time their Marriage License is requested. The license should be brought to the Priest on the evening of the rehearsal.

Because of the sacredness of the Church's house of prayer, no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the Church property either at the rehearsal or Marriage Ceremony. Smoking within the Church building is prohibited at all times. Any other individual requests not covered by guidelines can be made to the officiating Priest.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH 1997

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