Planning Your Wedding Ceremony in St. Bernard's

A Catholic Marriage is normally celebrated with a Nuptial Mass. "It is strongly recommended that those to be married approach the Sacrament of Penance and the Most Holy Eucharist so that they may fruitfully receive the Sacrament of Marriage" (Canon Law - 1065 #2).

However, when one party is not Roman Catholic, it is often preferable to have the Marriage Rite celebrated as a part of the Liturgy of the Word. The Priest/Deacon will discuss these options with you and encourage you to make choices which will personalize your ceremony.

For your information, there are several different liturgical seasons during the church year. Each of these is marked by a different color often used in the environmental artwork for that particular time of the year. Artwork used in the worship space may not be removed for the weddings, so it is important that you know ahead of time what the season is and what colors may be in use in the church.

• Advent (December) - Blue/Violet
• Christmas Season (until mid -January) - White
• Easter Season (17 weeks after Easter) - White
• Pentecost (last Sunday of Easter Season) - Red
• Lent (6 weeks before Easter - no wedding) - Purple
• Ordinary Time (all weeks not mentioned) - Green

In keeping with the penitential spirit of the season, marriages are not held during the six weeks of Lent. Times for Wedding Liturgies: Because of afternoon Confessions, and evening Mass, Weddings are held at 9:30 Am, 12:00 noon and 2:30 PM.

Wedding Coordinator

The services of a Wedding Coordinator are required by St. Bernard's Parish. She should be contacted within two weeks after meeting with the Pastor. She will help coordinate the Wedding Party, Ushers, Presider, and Musicians so that the ceremony may start on time. She also sets up the sanctuary for later ceremonies. The wedding Coordinator makes decisions and speaks with the authority of the Presider. Any questions regarding your ceremony may be addressed to the Wedding Coordinator any time prior to the wedding.

Rehearsal

The rehearsal will begin at the time scheduled. The wedding party is to arrive fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled time. The bride and groom are asked to urge all members of the wedding party to be as prompt for the rehearsal as for the wedding. This is necessary because of other scheduled activities. Please inform members of the wedding party that church regulations do not allow smoking or gum chewing in the sanctuary area or any other area inside the church. No rehearsal or marriage ceremony will be conducted when any member of the wedding party is under the influence of alcohol.

Donations

Considering the work and services of the Priest/Deacon, and Wedding Coordinator, as well as the use of the Church building (utilities and maintenance), we believe an appropriate payment should be proportionate to the total cost of your wedding.  Payment to the Church of 10% of your reception cost, or a minimum of $575.00* is required before the Church may be reserved. This deposit is refundable until one month prior to the wedding date.  (*This does not include the musicians fee.)

Music Director

More than any other single element, music has the power to unite the assembly. Because the Liturgy has a meaning of its own over and above the Marriage Rite which takes place within it, the music used at weddings must be consistent with the sacred nature of the ceremony. Its focus is related to the Church's blessing of the marriage and the couple's vows made before God. No matter how meaningful certain music may be to the bride and groom, the guiding rule is: secular songs are not permitted during the Liturgy but should be used when most appropriate - at your reception.

All music and musicians must be approved by the Church!

In general, the following music and related types of music will not be used:

1. Any music which refers only to the secular nature of love and neglects the sacred union of the couple, not only to each other but to the Church.

2. Songs from films, musicals, or television shows.

3. No pre-recorded music (tapes or CD's)

Contact the Director of Music as soon as you schedule your wedding to make an appointment for an initial meeting. There is a large selection of music from which to choose. We have a beautiful new organ with added orchestral sampling, and a qualified organist. You will be given alternatives for sources of musicians and ensembles, e.g. string quartets, wind quintet, harp and flute, etc. to help make your wedding beautiful and memorable.

Florist

A beautiful sanctuary requires very Simple decorations and does not lead itself to elaborate decoration. In keeping with this conviction, the church has carefully developed this policy to guide you and your florist in making plans for the wedding.

Your full cooperation is expected regarding the following regulations

1. No furnishings are to be moved!

2. Neither fresh or artificial flower petals may be strewn in the aisles. Aisle runners or arches are no longer permitted due to liability reasons.

3. There will be no alteration of the physical appearance of the church which would detract from the altar.

4. No tacks, pins, nails, glue or tape shall be used to fasten any decorations to the furniture of the building. Only large rubber bands, pipe stem cleaners or ribbon may be used to fasten bows. No candles are allowed on the pews.

5. Florist may set up one hour before wedding and is responsible to remove decorations after ceremony.

A maximum of two standing floral arrangements may be placed in the sanctuary area at the designated places. Two floral arrangements on the Altar of the Tabernacle are also permitted. However, these are considered an offering to the Lord and therefore are not to be removed afterwards.

The Church remains a place of worship before, during and after the wedding. Respectful conduct must be observed at all times. We allow, to a certain extent, the use of cameras, movie cameras and video taping, but, only in as much as they do not interfere in the liturgy or become a distraction to the people.

Studio equipment, such as screens, special lighting, elaborate video and sound equipment are not permitted in any area of the Church building.

A video camera is permitted, provided it does not distract from the prayer atmosphere of the celebration. The camera must be set or held in place without benefit of artificial lights. Photographers are not allowed in the sanctuary for any reason during the ceremony, nor should they roam around inside the Church, especially up and down the center aisle. Once the wedding procession has started, photographers are not permitted to stop the procession to take pictures. No flash photography is allowed during the ceremony. No standing on pews to take any pictures.

The maximum amount of time allotted for taking pictures after the ceremony is twenty (20) minutes.  However this time may be less depending on the length of the ceremony.  Requesting only the Marriage Rite in order to have more time for pictures will no longer be permitted.  In this case 20 minutes is the maximum.

Your Photographer/Videographer must sign the "Photographer/Videographer Agreement" form.  This form must be given to the Wedding Coordinator before the Rehearsal in order for your Photographer/Videographer to be allowed to take pictures in the church on the day of your wedding.

It is the responsibility of the bride, groom and their families to review these instructions with both the florist and the photographer in making plans for the wedding so that there will be no misunderstanding or deviation from these established rules and policies. The Wedding Coordinator will be available to answer any questions you may have.

Please Note