Guidelines for Weddings at St. Mary's Chuch
YOUR WEDDING AT ST. MARY’S
The marriage of a Christian man and woman is a sacred covenant, raised by Jesus Christ to the dignity of a sacrament, a symbol of his love for his people. A wedding is a Church liturgy, with every aspect expressing the sense of the prayerful and the sacred.
A wedding is for a day, a marriage is for a lifetime. The Church’s responsibility extends not only to guiding the couple in planning their wedding, but to the extent possible, offering available resources to help them prepare for that lifetime together. In the Diocese of Steubenville there is a requirement of a six month period of marriage preparation. It is recommended that the preparations for the marriage begin well before this timeline. During the pre-marriage sessions the couple will complete the marriage information paperwork, take the Pre-Marital Inventory assessment tool, and plan the wedding ceremony.
The couple is required to attend a pre-marriage program, here or elsewhere. St. Mary’s Parish program is generally presented twice a year in the spring and fall. Please call the parish offices for information on the upcoming dates.
Catholics are encouraged to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of their preparation.
SPECIAL PARISH REGULATIONS
WEDDING WITHIN MASS / WEDDING OUTSIDE OF MASS – TIMES OF CELEBRATION
The wedding of two Catholics is generally celebrated with a Mass, no later than 1:30 p.m. on a Saturday. The wedding of a Catholic and a non-Catholic is generally celebrated outside of the Mass, so that everyone present may fully participate. If this option is chosen, the latest time will be 2:00 p.m.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
The couple may choose the first and second readings from those provided. One or two readers may be appointed, but only if they are competent to read with faith and meaning.
MUSIC
The couple must contact the parish music director, Sister Carol Hannig, at least five months prior to the wedding (304) 242-7894. She will meet with the couple to assist them in choosing their music which is liturgically appropriate.
ATTENDANTS
There must be two principal witnesses: Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor. There may also be additional attendants: bridesmaids, ushers, flower girl and ring bearer. It is recommended that any children involved are at least 4 or 5 years old.
UNITY CANDLE
This optional custom is meant to symbolize the two becoming one. After the exchange of rings, the couple lights the Christ Candle (which they provide) from two smaller candles (which they also provide). The church has the candelabra.
OTHER CANDLES
Only the regular sanctuary candles and, if desired, the unity candle, are permitted – no additional candles may be placed in the church.
FLOWERS, ETC.
Attached are the rules for your florist; please see that they are observed! Scattering flower petals, rice, bird seed, or confetti is prohibited on the church premises. Bows, floral arrangements, etc. may be affixed to the pews only with soft ribbon or cord, never with wire, thumbtacks or tape.
PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY
Attached are the rules for your photographer/videographer; please see that they are observed! Pictures may not be taken in the sanctuary prior to the ceremony, however, they may be taken in Marian Hall or outside on the church grounds. It is important that any photography afterward be brief, especially if the wedding is celebrated on a Saturday afternoon.
FEES
The music director will explain the fees for the music ministry, which are to be paid at least two months ahead of time. A $20 maintenance fee is required, check payable to St. Mary’s Church, and presented to the pastor beforehand. It is customary to give the officiant a discretionary honorarium in appreciation for his services. Non-parishioners may use the church for a fee of $250.00.
REHEARSAL
The rehearsal is generally held on the evening prior to the wedding. It is important that those involved in the wedding ceremony be present at the appointed time.
MARRIAGE LICENSE
The marriage license must be an Ohio license, and it needs to be presented to the priest prior to the rehearsal.
WEDDING RINGS
The wedding bands should be given to the attendant who will present them for the blessing during the ceremony.
RECEPTION LINE
This is to be arranged by the couple. It may be in the back of the church (the narthex) or, weather permitting, outside on the patio.
DRESSING SPACE
The bride and her attendants may prepare themselves in Marian Hall, provided it is left in good order. The groom and his attendants generally arrive in their tuxedos.
WEDDING REGULATIONS FOR FLORISTS
We are happy to welcome you to St. Mary’s, to enhance this sacred celebration by using your special decorating skills. We do ask that you observe these few regulations.
Ordinarily, the church will be unlocked several hours prior to the wedding. Generally all decorating should be accomplished the day of the ceremony.
No additional candles or candelabra are permitted – only the Unity Candle, if desired.
No plants or flowers are to be placed on the rim of the baptismal font.
Any bows, floral arrangements, etc. may be affixed to the pews only with soft ribbon or cord, never with wire, thumbtacks, or tape.
No rice, flower petals, birdseed, or confetti may be scattered anywhere – inside the church or outside on the church premises.
No flowers may be placed on the altar table. Generally, a large vase of flowers is permitted on the steps to the far right corner of the sanctuary, or in front of the pulpit.
All plants and flowers must have protective dishes or pads underneath, to avoid soiling or scratching the surface of the floor.
All decorations, flowers etc., debris, empty boxes and the like, are to be removed no later than 3:30 pm, if the wedding is celebrated on a Saturday, as the church must prepare for a 4:30 Mass. If the bridal couple wishes to leave any floral arrangements in the church, this must be approved by the pastor.
Thank you for your cooperation!
REGULATIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS
We are pleased that the couple has chosen you to provide them with precious souvenirs of this sacred event. We do ask that you observe these few regulations.
Do not take pictures in the church before the ceremony. You may use Marian Hall or the church grounds for this, if desired.
Pictures may be taken during the ceremony, but using only existing light – no flash photography is permitted during the ceremony. But position yourself only at the side, never on the altar platform or in front of it.
Stay out of the center aisle during the procession. If you wish to take pictures of the attendants and/or the bride as they enter, you may do so, however, do not cause the procession to pause.
Do not move decorations, plants, flowers, or sanctuary furnishings.
Pictures may be taken after the ceremony, but briefly, and observing due reverence.
Everyone must depart no later than 3:30 pm, if the wedding is celebrated on a Saturday, as the church must prepare for a 4:30 Mass.
The marriage of a Christian man and woman is a sacred covenant, raised by Jesus Christ to the dignity of a sacrament, a symbol of his love for his people. A wedding is a Church liturgy, with every aspect expressing the sense of the prayerful and the sacred.
A wedding is for a day, a marriage is for a lifetime. The Church’s responsibility extends not only to guiding the couple in planning their wedding, but to the extent possible, offering available resources to help them prepare for that lifetime together. In the Diocese of Steubenville there is a requirement of a six month period of marriage preparation. It is recommended that the preparations for the marriage begin well before this timeline. During the pre-marriage sessions the couple will complete the marriage information paperwork, take the Pre-Marital Inventory assessment tool, and plan the wedding ceremony.
The couple is required to attend a pre-marriage program, here or elsewhere. St. Mary’s Parish program is generally presented twice a year in the spring and fall. Please call the parish offices for information on the upcoming dates.
Catholics are encouraged to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as part of their preparation.
SPECIAL PARISH REGULATIONS
WEDDING WITHIN MASS / WEDDING OUTSIDE OF MASS – TIMES OF CELEBRATION
The wedding of two Catholics is generally celebrated with a Mass, no later than 1:30 p.m. on a Saturday. The wedding of a Catholic and a non-Catholic is generally celebrated outside of the Mass, so that everyone present may fully participate. If this option is chosen, the latest time will be 2:00 p.m.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
The couple may choose the first and second readings from those provided. One or two readers may be appointed, but only if they are competent to read with faith and meaning.
MUSIC
The couple must contact the parish music director, Sister Carol Hannig, at least five months prior to the wedding (304) 242-7894. She will meet with the couple to assist them in choosing their music which is liturgically appropriate.
ATTENDANTS
There must be two principal witnesses: Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor. There may also be additional attendants: bridesmaids, ushers, flower girl and ring bearer. It is recommended that any children involved are at least 4 or 5 years old.
UNITY CANDLE
This optional custom is meant to symbolize the two becoming one. After the exchange of rings, the couple lights the Christ Candle (which they provide) from two smaller candles (which they also provide). The church has the candelabra.
OTHER CANDLES
Only the regular sanctuary candles and, if desired, the unity candle, are permitted – no additional candles may be placed in the church.
FLOWERS, ETC.
Attached are the rules for your florist; please see that they are observed! Scattering flower petals, rice, bird seed, or confetti is prohibited on the church premises. Bows, floral arrangements, etc. may be affixed to the pews only with soft ribbon or cord, never with wire, thumbtacks or tape.
PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY
Attached are the rules for your photographer/videographer; please see that they are observed! Pictures may not be taken in the sanctuary prior to the ceremony, however, they may be taken in Marian Hall or outside on the church grounds. It is important that any photography afterward be brief, especially if the wedding is celebrated on a Saturday afternoon.
FEES
The music director will explain the fees for the music ministry, which are to be paid at least two months ahead of time. A $20 maintenance fee is required, check payable to St. Mary’s Church, and presented to the pastor beforehand. It is customary to give the officiant a discretionary honorarium in appreciation for his services. Non-parishioners may use the church for a fee of $250.00.
REHEARSAL
The rehearsal is generally held on the evening prior to the wedding. It is important that those involved in the wedding ceremony be present at the appointed time.
MARRIAGE LICENSE
The marriage license must be an Ohio license, and it needs to be presented to the priest prior to the rehearsal.
WEDDING RINGS
The wedding bands should be given to the attendant who will present them for the blessing during the ceremony.
RECEPTION LINE
This is to be arranged by the couple. It may be in the back of the church (the narthex) or, weather permitting, outside on the patio.
DRESSING SPACE
The bride and her attendants may prepare themselves in Marian Hall, provided it is left in good order. The groom and his attendants generally arrive in their tuxedos.
WEDDING REGULATIONS FOR FLORISTS
We are happy to welcome you to St. Mary’s, to enhance this sacred celebration by using your special decorating skills. We do ask that you observe these few regulations.
Ordinarily, the church will be unlocked several hours prior to the wedding. Generally all decorating should be accomplished the day of the ceremony.
No additional candles or candelabra are permitted – only the Unity Candle, if desired.
No plants or flowers are to be placed on the rim of the baptismal font.
Any bows, floral arrangements, etc. may be affixed to the pews only with soft ribbon or cord, never with wire, thumbtacks, or tape.
No rice, flower petals, birdseed, or confetti may be scattered anywhere – inside the church or outside on the church premises.
No flowers may be placed on the altar table. Generally, a large vase of flowers is permitted on the steps to the far right corner of the sanctuary, or in front of the pulpit.
All plants and flowers must have protective dishes or pads underneath, to avoid soiling or scratching the surface of the floor.
All decorations, flowers etc., debris, empty boxes and the like, are to be removed no later than 3:30 pm, if the wedding is celebrated on a Saturday, as the church must prepare for a 4:30 Mass. If the bridal couple wishes to leave any floral arrangements in the church, this must be approved by the pastor.
Thank you for your cooperation!
REGULATIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS
We are pleased that the couple has chosen you to provide them with precious souvenirs of this sacred event. We do ask that you observe these few regulations.
Do not take pictures in the church before the ceremony. You may use Marian Hall or the church grounds for this, if desired.
Pictures may be taken during the ceremony, but using only existing light – no flash photography is permitted during the ceremony. But position yourself only at the side, never on the altar platform or in front of it.
Stay out of the center aisle during the procession. If you wish to take pictures of the attendants and/or the bride as they enter, you may do so, however, do not cause the procession to pause.
Do not move decorations, plants, flowers, or sanctuary furnishings.
Pictures may be taken after the ceremony, but briefly, and observing due reverence.
Everyone must depart no later than 3:30 pm, if the wedding is celebrated on a Saturday, as the church must prepare for a 4:30 Mass.