MARRIAGE PREPARATION GUIDE.. 2
SACRAMENTAL MARRIAGE.. 3
CANONICAL REQUIREMENTS.. 3
GETTING MARRIED AT ST. PATRICK.. 3
COUPLES NOW LIVING TOGETHER.. 4
WEDDINGS DURING ADVENT OR LENT. 4
SCHEDULING YOUR WEDDING AND WEDDING REHEARSAL. 4
FEES AND OFFERINGS.. 4
OFFICIANTS.. 5
NUPTIAL MASS OR CEREMONY.. 5
CHURCH BUILDING & CHURCH ETIQUETTE.. 5
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS.. 6
THE WEDDING REHEARSAL. 6
THE WEDDING CEREMONY.. 6
CHURCH DECORATIONS.. 7
Flowers 7
Sanctuary 7
Other Decorations 8
Cleanup/Removal of Decorations 8
MUSIC.. 8
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO.. 9
DOCUMENT CHECK LIST. 9
MARRIAGE PREPARATION GUIDE
Within 6 months-time, after the Candidates for Marriage have appeared personally to the Parish Office, the solemnizing Priest discusses with them the following documents to be prepared and necessary activities to be accomplished.
1. For Catholics, the latest copy of the Baptismal Records from the Parish they were baptized issued only for marriage purposes with Remarks regarding their reception of the Sacraments of their First Communion and Confirmation.
2. Affidavit of Free Status to Marry. One document for each candidate, preferably their Father and Mother, to be answered and signed before any priest or deacon. If Father and Mother of the candidates are not available, then the closest relatives or friends who know them very well may take the place of the parents.
3. Personal Interview for each Candidate using the Prenuptial Questionnaire Form V to be filled out by the solemnizing priest to know each candidate personally.
4. Certificate of Completion of FOCCUS – conducted by Dick and Mary Meadows, 214-553-9323.
5. Dispensations if any of the party is Non-Catholic for Mixed Marriages on Disparity of Cults or Religion etc. Decree of divorce, or Annulment Papers for both or any of the party whose previous Marriages need to be cleared from any defect or impediment.
6. Marriage License to be obtained from the County within 30-days before the Marriage date to avoid expiration. (The State of Texas has a seventy-two (72) hour waiting period after obtaining the Marriage License; you are advised not to wait until three (3) days before the wedding ceremony to purchase the marriage license.) For information, please phone the Marriage Division of the County Clerk’s Office at 214-653-7559. The bride and groom are to bring the marriage license with its return envelope to the officiating priest at the wedding rehearsal.
7. A. Liturgical and Spiritual Preparations. Readings and Gospel texts are to be agreed upon with the Candidates with the solemnizing priest or deacon during their meetings for the preparations.
8. Church Guidelines for Physical arrangements are provided by the Parish Office after the Parish Secretary sees them to finalize the Parish scheduling of their Wedding date and hour including the financial dues. Songs for the Wedding are arranged together with Cynthia Fruth the Church’s Director of Music, 214-341-8495.
9. Confessions for both candidates are usually done on Thursday from 5pm - 6pm or immediately after the Wedding Rehearsal in the Church the day before the Wedding date to be arranged by the solemnizing priest.
10. Wedding rehearsal is scheduled the evening before the wedding day.
11. Settle financial responsibilities for: 1) Church Office (church fee); 2) Minister; 3) Organist; 4) Altar Server(s)
12. Marriage Ceremony can be within the Mass or outside.
SACRAMENTAL MARRIAGE
Marriage is one of the sacred sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is the solemn ceremony in which two persons pledge themselves to each other and, with the blessing of God, are united by Him in Holy Matrimony. Your wedding will be an event that you will remember for the rest of your lives as a beautiful, dignified and sacred occasion. It is with this in mind that we at St. Patrick Catholic Church have outlined these physical regulations and arrangements, practical suggestions and other necessary information. It is the desire of the Clergy and Staff of St. Patrick Catholic Church to have each wedding a reverent and memorable occasion with true meaning and beauty.
CANONICAL REQUIREMENTS
1. The minimum age for marriage is eighteen (18) years of age.
2. The couple are to have known each other for at least six (6) months.
3. Both parties are to be free to marry. If either party has ever been married before, in a religious or civil ceremony or by common law, then no plans for marriage may be made until any prior marriage has received a decree of nullity from the Diocese of Dallas or another Catholic Diocese. (If one of the parties is a widow or widower, a death certificate of the former spouse is needed.)
4. In a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic, the Catholic party is 1. to promise to continue the practice of the Catholic faith and to share that faith with any children born of the marriage by having them baptized and raised as Catholics. The non-Catholic party is not asked to sign anything, but does witness the promise made by the Catholic party and is to indicate to the priest that he or she will not be an obstacle to this promise.
5. If a marriage is requested and there is a pregnancy involved, the Church normally requires the couple to wait until after the birth of the child before marriage in the Church can take place.
GETTING MARRIED AT ST. PATRICK
1. Registered parishioners of St. Patrick Parish may be married in this Church. Church law specifies that the proper place for baptized Catholics to marry is the parish of the Catholic bride (but may be the parish of the Catholic groom) or, in the case of a mixed marriage, in the parish of the Catholic party. The bride or the groom is to be registered in the parish and be an Active Member of the parish for at least six (6) months prior to scheduling the wedding. Active implies that one practices their faith by supporting the parish and attending Mass here regularly.
2. All weddings are to take place inside the Church, since home or garden weddings are not permitted in the Diocese of Dallas.
3. Those not residing in the parish and not registered will ordinarily be required to marry in the parish in which they reside. However, persons registered in another parish may be married here for a justifiable reason and with the permission of their proper Pastor.
This decision will be made by the Pastor of St. Patrick Parish.
COUPLES NOW LIVING TOGETHER
The Catholic Church does not approve of couples living together before marriage, but instead encourages couples to live up to Catholic Christian standards before their wedding. We are happy to witness your marriage so that your living arrangements can be brought into harmony with God’s laws.
WEDDINGS DURING ADVENT OR LENT
Because there are seasons of the Church Year set aside for penitence and spiritual renewal, wedding celebrations are discouraged during these times. However, a wedding is allowed if it is in keeping with the character of the season. Church laws require that it be a simple wedding.
SCHEDULING YOUR WEDDING AND WEDDING REHEARSAL
1. Because Marriage is such a serious commitment, the process of preparing for your wedding involves several stages of preparation. For this reason, all wedding arrangements are to be made at least six (6) months before the date of the wedding ceremony.
2. The date and time for the wedding are dependent on the availability of the Church facilities. (It is best to finalized with the priest who will officiate at the wedding the date and time before printing Invitations, etc.)
3. Weddings are not scheduled for Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation or during the last three days of Holy Week.
4. Wedding rehearsals and weddings are:
REHEARSALS: Fridays: 6:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m., or 8:15 p.m.
WEDDINGS: Saturdays: 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., or 7:30 p.m.
5. If you decide to postpone or cancel your wedding, it is necessary that you inform the priest, in writing, who assisted you with your wedding arrangements.
FEES AND OFFERINGS
Contact the Parish Secretary for the current schedule of fees and offerings. These will include the following:
1. A fee for the use of the Church Sanctuary is $350.00 for parish members ($500.00 for non-members) This fee is due and payable at the time of the initial meeting with the officiating priest to finalize the scheduling of the wedding.
2. The fee paid to the Director of Music, is $250. Please contact Cynthia Fruth at least 3 months before the wedding date through the Church Office at 214-348-7380 or her cell at 214-497-6260. This fee is to be paid directly to the Director of Music no later than one week prior to the wedding ceremony.
3. Altar Servers. If the servers are not family members, they are to be given a monetary offering of $20 each for their services. In order to avoid 1. confusion, offerings are to be presented at the conclusion of the wedding rehearsal to the wedding coordinator.
4. Clergy Gift: Questions from time to time arise regarding a clergy gift. A clergy honorarium is permitted but not expected as a way to acknowledge the work of the priest or the deacon who has assisted you in your preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. Anything given is not a fee but a free will gift and reflects your support for the work of ministry of the clergy. Your gift is very much appreciated by the clergy.
OFFICIANTS
1. One of the priests or deacons assigned to St. Patrick Parish will officiate at the wedding. For visiting priest please speak to the pastor.
NUPTIAL MASS OR CEREMONY
1. Two Catholics are to be married at a Nuptial Mass in order to obtain all the blessings possible on their marriage.
2. In some special cases, marriages of mixed religion may also be solemnized at a Nuptial Mass, but the officiating priest is be consulted as to its advisability. (Keep in mind that only Roman Catholics actively practicing their faith may receive Holy Communion.)
3. Scripture Readings and guidelines are found in the Together for Life booklet that will be provided to the couple.
CHURCH BUILDING & CHURCH ETIQUETTE
1. The Church is a sacred place. Loud talking, gum chewing, wearing of hats or caps by men, and indecent or insufficient attire are all forbidden. Strapless dresses for the bride or the wedding party are not allowed, in any part of the Church, vestibules, rest rooms or choir area either at the wedding rehearsal or at the wedding itself.
2. A SMALL bride’s room is PROVIDED AND IS available one hour before the scheduled wedding time. It is only large enough for the bride and her attendants to dress. No dresses may be left unattended in the bride’s room. St. Patrick Catholic Church is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. The groom, his attendants and all others are to arrive already dressed and ready for the wedding, since we have no place where they may change. Since the bride’s room is also used as an ushers’ room during the Saturday and Sunday Masses, it will not be available to the bride and her attendants until 6:30 p.m. for weddings scheduled for Saturday evenings.
3. We are an alcohol-free facility. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought in or consumed in the Church building or anywhere on the Church property. ANYONE WHO IS FOUND TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES.
4. Food or drink of any kind, other than water, is not to be brought in or consumed in the Church building.
5. We are a smoke-free facility. Smoking is not allowed in any place in any Church building.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
THE WEDDING REHEARSAL
1. All members of the wedding party are to be present, including ushers and parents of both the bride and groom. Please keep in mind that Dallas traffic is especially congested on Friday evenings. Please make every effort to be on time, as the parish priests usually have other appointments scheduled in the evenings.
2. The officiating priest will direct the wedding rehearsal in its entirety. Bridal consultants, floral representatives and wedding advisors are respectfully requested not to interfere in any way with the wedding rehearsal. If the bride elects to invite her consultant or advisor to the wedding rehearsal, then it is to be understood that she is there only as an observer.
3. Since the Church building is the House of God, proper decorum is advised to be maintained at all times.
4. Catholics approaching the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony are reminded of the sacred character of this Sacrament and is to be received in the state of grace. It is praiseworthy for the Catholic members of the wedding party to receive Holy Communion at the Wedding Mass. The Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Patrick is held every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. If necessary, the officiating priest would be happy to hear confessions for the bride and/or groom, immediately after the wedding rehearsal.
THE WEDDING CEREMONY
1. The wedding ceremony is an act of worship. The couple’s exchange of vows before witnesses in the community of the Church makes the wedding ceremony a holy and moving event. The music and decorations are to enhance and not detract from the liturgical nature of the wedding ceremony.
2. Only trained altar servers will be allowed to serve for a Nuptial Mass. Only two are needed. The officiating priest will appoint them unless you have relatives or friends you wish in the wedding ceremony, in which case you are to inform the officiating priest well in advance of the wedding ceremony.
3. The ushers are to be instructed to discourage any loud talking, particularly at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony, and to maintain decorum in keeping with the sacredness of the Church.
4. RICE, BIRDSEED, FLOWER PETALS OR ANY OTHER ITEMS ARE NEVER TO BE THROWN after the wedding ceremony in or outside the Church.
CHURCH DECORATIONS
The Sanctuary of St. Patrick Catholic Church is beautiful in it simplicity. Experience has proven that the simpler the decorations, the more effective the setting. The bride and groom are the principals in the wedding ceremony, not the setting.
Flowers
1. Fresh flowers placed in the Church Sanctuary for the wedding are considered as an offering to God and are to remain to enhance the beauty of the sanctuary for all of the weekend Masses. Please, no artificial or silk flowers. Deliveries of flowers, decorations and other equipment must be received by a member of one of the families or by an authorized member of the wedding party. Priests and other personnel of St. Patrick Catholic Church are neither authorized to sign for nor accept the responsibility for such items. Flowers are placed within the sanctuary, usually by the florist, upon delivery. In the case of a 7:30 p.m. Saturday wedding, the Sanctuary flowers are to be delivered and placed in the sanctuary before the 4:00 p.m.
2. Floral arrangements are permitted around the Main Altar. Floral arrangements or greenery are not to impede the movement of the priest, altar servers or bridal party.
3. Floral arrangements are to be in keeping with certain liturgical seasons. Easter and Christmas flowers and decorations may not be moved.
4. Aisle flower arrangements that do not impede the movement of the bridal party or others in the aisle are permitted, provided the floor and furniture are protected from moisture.
5. A flower girl may carry a basket of flower petals but flower petals are not to be strewn down the aisle.
6. All decorations are to be completed within a reasonable time preceding the wedding ceremony. Florists and decorators are to be advised that there is a regularly scheduled Mass each Saturday at 5:00 p.m., which is concluded by 6:00 p.m. Decorating is to be done after Mass is over.
7. The bridal party may receive their flowers in the main vestibule of the Church. Remember that quiet is to be observed. It is most important that the bride or her mother appoint some one person to be responsible for the removal of all personal belongings from the vestibule and bride’s room immediately after the wedding. St. Patrick Catholic Church is not liable for return of or damage to lost, stolen or mislaid property.
Sanctuary
1. Kneelers: St. Patrick Parish will provide cushioned kneelers which match the other sanctuary furnishings.
2. Unity Candle: Although it is not a normal part of the Catholic Wedding Ceremony, a Unity Candle is permitted. However, the Church does not have Unity Candles or a stand. The florist or decorator is to furnish the candles, stand and other parts of the Unity Candle. As above, the Unity Candle is to be placed in a specific location before the seating of guests begins, is not to obscure the view of the main altar or repository and is not to impede any movement. Sufficient material is also to be placed on the floor below the Unity Candle for protection.
3. Other Candles: The candle arrangement around the main altar is not to be disturbed. Aisle candles, aisle candelabra and aisle hurricane lamps are forbidden. No other candles may be permitted in any other part of the Church.
4. Protection Precautions: Protection from leaking urns, etc., is to be provided. Florists or decorators will be held responsible for cleaning up all drippings from the unity candle or spilled water from flower urns, etc.
5. Other Church Furnishings and Equipment: No other furnishings in the Church are to be disturbed or moved. No other furnishings within the Church may be used for the wedding ceremony. No microphone or musical instrument is allowed to be plugged into the Church sound system.
Other Decorations
1. Pins, tacks, nails, pressure sensitive tape, scotch tape or glue may not be used to attach any decorations to the furniture or the walls of the Church building.
2. Decorative carpentry of any kind, especially wedding arches, are not permitted in any part of the Church building.
3. Decorations and pew bows are allowed and may be tied to the pews, but are not to be wired or scotch taped to the pews.
4. Aisle runners are not allowed.
Cleanup/Removal of Decorations
1. Except for the Sanctuary floral arrangements, all decorations, florist’s equipment and supplies are to be removed from the building immediately after the wedding party has departed from the Church after the wedding ceremony, since the Church does not have storage facilities. St. Patrick Catholic Church will accept no responsibility or liability for anything left behind.
2. All debris, such as greenery, paper floral boxes, aisle cloth, ferns and tissue paper are to be removed from the entire building. The Church building is to be left in the same clean and orderly condition in which it was found.
MUSIC
The Director of Music at St. Patrick Parish must be consulted to arrange for any music for your wedding (string quartet, guitarist, etc.) A complete list of approved wedding music is not available, but the Director of Music will assist the bride and groom in the selection of approved music and hymns. The wedding service is principally a service of worship and the music is to reflect this spirit of worship. The music used at a wedding is to magnify the glory of God, who allows and creates the love that exists between a man and a woman. Sentimental love songs, popular songs or songs from the theater and movies are not always appropriate in the spirit of this service of worship and praise.
1. Only the organist of St. Patrick Parish is permitted to play the pipe organ or piano for weddings in this Church.
2. The use of soloists, unless they are professionals, is not recommended for weddings.
3. Only liturgical music may be used during the actual Mass or ceremony.
4. Only live music is to be used. No recorded or taped music of any kind.
5. The Director of Music will be present for the wedding rehearsal. If there is to be a soloist or instrumentalist, the Director of Music may practice with them at a mutually convenient time.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
1. Photographs may be taken by professionals before and during the wedding ceremony in the Church, provided that the wedding ceremony is not disturbed and neither flash equipment nor supplemental lighting is used. Photographer may not take pictures from the altar platform or ramps during the ceremony. NO FLASH PICTURES ARE ALLOWED DURING THE WEDDING CEREMONY. Flash equipment and supplemental equipment may be used both before and after the wedding ceremony.
2. The same rules apply to videotaping and motion pictures.
3. Photographers and technicians are to bear in mind that they are present in a Church for a worship service. They are not to impede, delay or in any way interfere with the conducting of the wedding ceremony.
4. Any pictures that are to include the officiating Priest are to be taken first, when the wedding ceremony has been concluded. Group pictures following the wedding ceremony are limited to twenty minutes.
5. There are to be no picture taking or videotaping by family members, guests or others in the congregation during the wedding ceremony, although they are free to do so before or after the wedding ceremony.
DOCUMENT CHECK LIST
Groom:
__Baptismal Certificate
__Affidavit of Freedom (Form II)
__Registered in Parish
Bride:
__Baptismal Certificate
__Affidavit of Freedom (Form II)
__Registered in Parish
__FOCCUS Certificate
__Pre-Nuptial Questionnaire (Form V)
__Sponsoring Couple Questionnaire
__Dispensations (Form III)
__Marriage License
__Marriage Guide
__Together for Life