St. Paul Church Christ the King University Parish

Grace and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ! We at Christ the King and St. Paul congratulate you on your decision to make a commitment to each other through the Sacrament of Marriage. Your wedding is meant to be a happy and meaningful celebration, one that you will long remember. Therefore, we offer these guidelines and instructions to help facilitate your preparation for your wedding day.

To begin, remember that we will need a copy of your baptismal certificate if you were not baptized at St. Paul or Christ the King. Also, remember you and your future spouse must attend a marriage preparation day called ‘Pre-Cana.’ Dates for these events are available from the parish or on the web.

The Rite of Marriage

Between two baptized, practicing Catholics:

Because the sacrifice of the Mass is the center of Catholic life, marriage between two Catholic people is usually held during a Nuptial Mass. Thus the planning of the entire Mass – not just the wedding rite – is of great importance for the bride and groom. However, the wedding of a Catholic couple may take place outside of the Eucharist.

Between a Catholic and non-Catholic:

In marriages involving a Catholic and a person of another religion, the wedding ceremony takes place outside of Mass. This is especially true if discomfort, misunderstanding, or hostility would occur if the Eucharist were celebrated. However, the marriage between a Catholic and non-Catholic may be celebrated within Mass, with the permission of the Bishop. Instead, the wedding of a Catholic and a person of another religion is best celebrated at a wedding in the context of a Liturgy of the Word (Scripture service). This is presented as the preferable option at St. Paul and Christ the King. You may appoint someone to read the first reading, the second reading, and the General Intercessions (petitions), provided he/she is a competent reader.

Times for Weddings

Weddings are to begin no later than 2:00 P.M. at either church.

Reverence

It is important to remember that a marriage in church is first and foremost a spiritual ceremony. You should keep a reverent attitude and spirit at all times in the church. An interior and exterior quiet should be maintained out of respect for Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament. BE ADVISED: There should be no yelling or loud talking at the rehearsal, before the marriage ceremony, or after the ceremony. At both the rehearsal and the ceremony, absolutely no alcoholic beverages are permitted. Intoxication automatically invalidates a marriage. The priest celebrant reserves the right to refuse to marry a couple because of intoxication.

Music and Scripture Readings

In order to enhance your wedding with the best possible compositions and to allow the full, active and conscious participation of the people gathered, St. Paul and Christ the King follow the directives given by the Catholic Church in regards to music and Scripture Reading. You are to select one of our musicians to help oversee your musical selection. Other instrumentalists or soloists are permitted, but the coordination of the music must be done with one of the parish music directors. Please do not make any liturgical and/or musical arrangements until you have spoken with the person coordinating the liturgical music. All song texts must be based on scripture or paraphrased from scripture.

The wedding march from Wagner’s “Lohengrin” (known as “Here Comes The Bride”) is not allowed in Catholic Churches. Associations over the years have damaged the meaning of this piece. The marriage in the opera ends in separation. It is the prayer of all those gathered at the ceremony that your wedding last forever, and not end in separation. Therefore, this musical selection is inappropriate. The Mendelssohn Wedding March from a “Mid-summer’s Night Dream” accompanies a farcical wedding, far removed from any notion of marriage as a sacrament. It, too, is inappropriate for this Sacrament.

Processions

There are two options for the opening procession.

First, you may choose the traditional procession of the female attendants and the bride processing down the center aisle, while the groom and groomsmen come out from the sacristy area.

Second, the servers and/or priest lead the procession to the sanctuary from the back of church. The attendants, in couples, follow, then the bride and groom, who may be accompanied by one parent or both parents.

Flower petals may not be sprinkled down the aisle at the wedding.

Attendants

Attendants should be those people who hold special relationships to the couple. You may have as many or as few attendants as you wish. Please remember that the number and behavior of the attendants should not interrupt the actions and flow of the liturgical ceremony. Children under five years of age are ordinarily too young to take part in the wedding ceremony.

Flowers and Decorations

Flowers and other plants may be placed about the sanctuary and the nave of the church, provided that they do not interfere with the movement of the ceremony. If the wedding takes place during a liturgical season where decorations are already in place, these decorations must remain in place. During the season of Advent, decorations are to be minimal. During the season of Lent, no extra decorations are permitted in church. Please consult the priests for further instructions and clarifications. The priest-celebrant must also approve extra candles or special cloths. Nothing is to be affixed to the pews with wire or tape. If you desire an aisle cloth, please arrange with a florist for it. We ask that if you place special flowers and plants in the sanctuary, please leave them for the weekend Masses. If you choose to move them after the ceremony, remember to have someone available to clean up the debris.

Unity Candle

A “unity candle” is not used during the Rite of Marriage. The “unity candle” is not a part of the Rite of Marriage in the Catholic Church. The wedding ring is the best and fullest symbol of the union between you and your spouse.

If you have a strong attachment to the use of a “unity candle,” we suggest you use the candle at the beginning of your wedding reception. This action helps to tie the whole day together.

Rice, Confetti and Flower Petals

Throwing rice, confetti, flower petals, or bird seed is a maintenance problem. Our rule is that no bird seed, rice, or confetti be thrown at the wedding party following the ceremony. Ribbon or Paper Streamers and Flower petals may be strewn provided they are collected and disposed of immediately following the ceremony. Be advised that you must provide the person or persons to clean up the debris after the wedding. Bubbles and bell ringing are also permitted.

Photographs and Videotaping

Photographers and Videographers must never be an intrusion into the ceremony. Pictures may be taken during the ceremony without the flash but must be taken from behind or beside the congregation. At a Wedding Mass, no photography is permitted during the Eucharistic Prayer (beginning with the singing of the “Holy Holy, Holy” and ending after the “Great Amen”). Photographers or videographers (professionals as well as family members and friends) are NEVER permitted in the sanctuary at any time during the ceremony. Pictures may be taken before and after the ceremony, but no pictures are permitted past 4:00 P.M.

Preparation Rooms

At St. Paul: A preparation room for the bride and her attendants is available downstairs in the social hall. A preparation room for the groom and his attendants is available in the chapel behind the Mary Chapel. Again, it is the couple’s responsibility to make sure these rooms are left in good condition. Please remember to have all personal items and litter removed after the ceremony. If this is not done, a fee will be charged for cleanup.

At Christ the King: A preparation room for the bride is located either in Parish Center.

The preparation room for the groom and groomsmen is available off in one of the classrooms in the church. Marriage License

An Ohio license, valid in Athens County, must be presented to the priest at the wedding rehearsal.

Remunerations

Organist /Music Director: This is to be worked out by the couple and the music director, but the customary offering is $100. You must use and work with our music director for the wedding. You may have outside instrumentalists or soloists, but our music director is the primary musician.

Priest: No offering is required, but the customary offering is $100.

Servers: A customary offering is $10.

Instrumentalists or Soloists/Cantors: This is to be worked out with the musician or soloist.

Checklist for your Wedding Ceremony

_____Baptismal Certificates

(A copy of your baptismal certificate is necessary if you were not baptized at St. Paul or Christ the King)

_____Meeting with the Priest

_____Music and Ceremony Planned with one of the music directors

_____Marriage License Obtained

_____Pre-Cana Requirement Fulfilled