WEDDINGS AT ST. FRANCIS
OF
PARISH POLICIES
PREPARATION
1. If one or both members of the prospective bridal couple have
been married before, consult with the pastor about the need to obtain
annulment(s) before making any plans. The decision about impediments to previous marriage(s) is made by the Diocesan
Tribunal and requires extensive paperwork and investigation. The process can
take some time.
2. The Diocese of Richmond prescribes a six to nine month
marriage preparation period when the
couple is free to marry in the church. Set up a meeting with the pastor for an initial interview. It should take
place before any social arrangements for the marriage are finalized. When the
pastor certifies that the couple can be married, the wedding date is put on the
parish calendar. The pastor or his
representative will meet with the couple
during the preparation time. If circumstances hinder such meetings, the pastor
can give permission for alternate arrangements. The Diocese also requires that
the couple take a FOCCUS assessment test, attend an Engaged Encounter session
and Natural Family Planning classes. These last three requirements are
non-negotiable.
3. The Pastor normally officiates at the marriage rites; however,
the couple may request that a family member or friend of the family who is a
Catholic priest or deacon in good standing
witness the marriage, provided he is so delegated by the pastor. He must
also have civil authorization in
4. The following documents are required:
a) For Catholics, a current baptismal
certificate, complete with the return
address of the church of baptism dated no more than nine months prior to the wedding. For non-Catholics, a
photocopy of the original baptismal certificate can be substituted. If there is none, a letter from the
pastor or church office or from a witness to the Baptism must be supplied
b) For Catholics, copies of the First Communion
and Confirmation certificates if
notations are not made on the baptismal certificate.
c) A copy of the declaration of nullity if
either party has been married before.
d) A state marriage license. This is obtained at
the clerk’s office at any city or county location in
MUSIC
5. If you wish to have a parish musician sing or play at your
wedding, you must make such arrangement with him or her The usual musician’s fee ranges between
$150-$250 which should be paid sometime before the wedding begins. Mindful that
the marriage rite is a religious ceremony, music approved for Catholic liturgy
must be chosen. Outside musicians must contact the parish director of music.
If a wedding program is to
be used, please have the pastor check it over before printing. St. Francis Parish does not provide
programs.
FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS
6. Arrangements for the
flowers are to be made by the couple. A
simple arrangement of two bouquets for the back altar and/or a bouquet in front
of the front altar are usual. Consult one of our flower directors Deann Reed or
Joan Murphy for more information, If a
kneeler is to be used, make sure the bouquet does not interfere. Aisle
decorations and door wreaths are permitted as long as clips can be used which
will not mar the wood (no tape). Check to make sure when the church will be
open if the florist plans to deliver the flowers. It is permissible to remove
current altar decorations for the ceremony. Flowers may be placed in the flower
room. It is the responsibility of someone in the wedding party to replace
everything as it was as soon as the ceremony is over. There will be a charge of
$35 if someone from the parish must do it.
7. Candelabra may be used
from our sacristy. There will be a charge of
$55 if all new candles are used.
Check with the parish candle coordinator. A Unity candle is not permitted nor
are aisle runners .
FLOWER GIRLS/ RINGBEARERS
8. If a ring bearer and flower girls are going to participate,
they should be at least five years of age. Flower girls are not to throw petals
in the aisle.
PHOTOGRAPHY
9. Pictures may be taken from the balcony only. The photographer
may NOT use flash during the ceremony. The photographer should check with the
celebrant before the ceremony begins to receive any last minute instructions or
have any questions answered. If videotaping, a camera may be set up in the
organ balcony. Movie lights are not to be used.
CEREMONY
10. Parish weddings are usually scheduled on Saturday from
11:00-3:00 PM. Confessions begin at 4:00 PM so everyone must be out of the
church at that time. Rehearsals are on
Friday evenings. The time is to be set up with the pastor. There are other
celebrations in the church, so the wedding party is reminded
to be on time for rehearsals and the wedding ceremony so as not to have
interference from other groups.
11. Ushers, which are chosen by the couple, should arrive about a
half hour before the ceremony to help with the seating. The couple may choose
two people to bring up the gifts at the offertory if a Mass is to be
celebrated. Altar servers should be
chosen by the server coordinator. The bridal party can use the Parish Hall to
dress. Someone in the party must be responsible to get a key in advance and
return it to a designated place when the ceremony is over.
11. The bride and groom may choose one or two
people to proclaim the readings ( one from the Old Testament and one from the
New Testament.) Both with the nuptial Mass as well as the Marriage rite by
itself, the Liturgy of the Word is the same. Because it is the Liturgy of the
Word of God, non-scriptural readings are not permitted. The pastor can give the couple a list of suggested
readings or they can be found in the “Together for Life” book.
12. Rice, birdseed or confetti are not to be
thrown outside the Church or anywhere on the parish grounds. This does not
clean up well and has proved to be a safety hazard in the past; someone could
slip and fall. The wedding couple should
arrange for some family member or friend to remove all flower boxes, programs
and other items left. This should be done immediately after the ceremony. The
ushers or someone should be designated to open the doors for the processional
and recessional; the doors remain closed for the wedding.
It is customary for the
couple to make an offering for the use of the Church. The suggested amount is
$100. Non- parishioers must pay a fee of $500 for the church- to be paid in advance. If altar boys serve at a Mass, it is customary to give them a small gift,
generally $20 each. You may also want to give an honorarium to the celebrant,
generally $75.
AFTER THE WEDDING
13. If
you will be living in the parish after the wedding, please contact the
Office to register as a couple.