Ceremony Rehearsal
Days and Times
Weddings are usually scheduled on Saturdays at 10:00
a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Friday evenings are available at 5:00/5:30 p.m. There
are times when we cannot schedule weddings because of parish functions,
liturgical preparations or because of special feasts during the Church
Year Calendar. For instance, weddings are not celebrated during Lent,
during the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday), Christmas
Eve or Christmas Day.
The rehearsal is usually scheduled at 5:00 p.m. the evening prior to
the wedding. Rehearsals are 45 to 60 minutes in length and must begin
on time. A Wedding Facilitator will conduct your rehearsal. Remember
to bring your Marriage License to the rehearsal and leave it with your
Facilitator.
Presider: Priest or Deacon
A priest or deacon from our parish is the usual official
church witness for the Rite of Marriage. The Rite of Marriage is usually
celebrated within a Mass if both bride and groom are Catholic. It is
also possible for you to request a priest or deacon from another parish.
This needs to be discussed early in the marriage preparation process.
Documents Needed
Documents that the engaged couple is responsible for
obtaining or completing during St. Mary Parish Marriage
Preparation Process are:
|
MA form |
|
CURRENT - Obtain from
your church of baptism, no more than 6 months prior. For a non-Catholic
partner, provide a baptismal form or letter with certification of
baptism, if possible. |
- Freedom To Marry Witness Form
|
MB form |
- Dispensation or Permission Marry
|
MC form - May be needed
for various reasons, for example, the bride or groom is not Catholic. |
- Marriage License from the State of Colorado
|
These are good for
30 days. Bring to your rehearsal and leave it with your facilitator. |
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Wedding Decor
The church is a house of prayer, and so an atmosphere of reverence and
respect must be maintained in the church at all times. Loud talking, smoking,
eating, chewing of gum, drinking, and boisterous behavior is unacceptable
in the church at any time.
The use of a UNITY CANDLE is optional during the wedding ceremony. If
used, it needs to be in a unity candle holder on a separate table. (The
altar is for sacred vessels only. No candles or flowers belong on the altar.)
Rice,Confetti, Bird Seed, Bubbles, Aisle Runners:
For insurance, maintenance, and safety reasons, these may NOT be used
at the church.
Balloons:
These are permitted to be released OUTSIDE the church.
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Ceremony Regulations
Alcohol
There is to be no alcohol (hard liquor, beer, wine, or
champagne) on the church premises during the wedding or rehearsal. Both
the Church and the State of Colorado require that one must be of sound
mind and free of any obstacles that prevent them to enter into marriage.
If there is any evidence of such, the wedding can be cancelled immediately.
This policy also holds for any use of illegal drugs. Please
make sure that the wedding party is aware and understands the importance
of this Church and State policy.
Photography/Videotaping
A wedding is a prayer event! The lower the profile on
the photography during the ceremony, the better. Photographers and those
videotaping should be appropriately dressed, and are asked not to move
around during the ceremony. They are not to interfere with the furnishings
of the church. They should not be in the sanctuary area during the ceremony,
or in any way, be a distraction to the wedding celebration. They should
stay off to the side and behind the pew line so as to maintain the sacredness
and dignity of the ceremony.
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Schedule of Fees
Due to maintenance, security, processing, and time provided
on behalf of your day, there are costs associated with the wedding preparation
process. Please contact Camille
Massing at the Marriage Preparation Office (720-283-4732) for a schedule
of fees.
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Liturgy/Music
The Marriage Preparation Office will provide you with a list of musicians
that are permitted to perform at St. Mary Parish for weddings. The list
of musicians which are chosen must be submitted to St. Mary Parish Music
Director at least one month prior to the wedding.
Contact Camille Massing
with your selections.
Musicians must receive payment at least one week prior to the wedding.
Musicians will not perform without prior payment.
The Marriage Preparation Office will also provide you with suggestions
of appropriate music. Music selections must be approved by the St. Mary
Parish Music Director at least one month prior to the wedding. Contact
Contact Camille Massing.
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