MARRIAGE

Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage is a joyful occasion for both the couple and the Church. Jesus sanctified marriage at the wedding feast of Cana (John 2:1-11) and used the wedding feasts as the setting for several parables. Our parish seeks to extend the happiness of the wedding day throughout the course of a couple's life together.

Eligibility: Two important questions must be resolved before a couple can prepare for marriage at Saint Lawrence Church:

• Have either the bride or groom been previously married? Regardless of whether or not your previous marriage took place in a Catholic Church, it must have been annulled by the Catholic Church before you may be married again. A priest will explain annulment procedures if you require one. Marriage preparation may not begin until annulments are obtained.
• Are you or your fiancée a member of Saint Lawrence—Saint Cyril Church? Or, do you or your fiancée have an historic connection with Saint Lawrence or Saint Cyril's. Couples with family ties to the parish will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Regrettably, we cannot accommodate couples who have had not had ties with our parish or are not active in another Catholic parish.

Marriage to Non-Catholics: The Church recognizes that love knows no religious bounds and accepts anyone open to Christian teaching for marriage to its members. Catholics are not required to marry only Catholics. We do ask some additional preparation:

• We will take some time to council non-Catholics on our Church's beliefs.
• We ask that the Catholic party make a statement agreeing to raise children from the marriage as Catholics. The non-Catholic party is not required to make this statement.
• Marriage and becoming a member of the Church are two distinct decisions. Non-Catholics will not be pressured to join the Church as a condition for marriage. We generally recommend that persons interested in joining the Church do so at a separate time from wedding preparation.
Marriage Preparation: A priest will schedule an initial interview with you and your fiancée. Preparation must begin at least six-months prior to the proposed wedding date. A wedding date may be entered on the parish calendar but will be tentative until preparation is completed. The process consists of three parts:
• Documentation: Several documents and interviews are necessary to determine your freedom to marry. The priest will outline these and explain how to obtain them at your initial interview.
• Counseling: Two elements comprise the counseling phase of marriage preparation:
  • Pre-marital Inventory (FOCCUS): a survey of your personalities and their compatibility will raise questions for further discussion. The inventory is taken on line. You and the priest will then discuss the results.
  • Marriage Preparation Seminars: A number of options are available for this element. You and your priest will discuss which is best for you.
• Wedding Planning: Wedding Coordinators from the parish will be assigned to help you prepare your marriage ritual. Coordinators will:
  • Work with you to develop the marriage ceremony following guidelines given by the priest.
  • Prepare the church for the wedding.
  • Lead the rehearsal.
  • Attend and oversee the ceremony.
  • Make certain that all documents (license, state marriage certificate, etc.) are signed and sent to the proper recipients.
  • Work with the music ministry.
  • Clean the church following the ceremony.
Wedding Policies: Weddings generally take place on Saturdays, a day on which many other parish activities are scheduled. Thus, it is important that they take place punctually and avoid conflicts with other events. The following guidelines help facilitate reverent and joyous ceremonies:
• Arrival: The wedding party must be present for the wedding at least 45 minutes prior to its scheduled start.
• Photography:
  • No flash photography after the wedding begins.
  • Photographers are not to cross sight-lines between the priest, couple or congregation.
  • Videographers must photograph from a fixed position outside sightlines.
  • Photographs with the priest must be scheduled first following the ceremony.
• Decorations:
  • Flowers and other decorations are encouraged but they may not interfere with movement around the altar or sanctuary.
  • The wedding party may not move or disassemble decorations presently in the church.
  • No "runners" are allowed.
  • No throwing of rice or other material that requires clean-up following the wedding.
• Music:
  • The parish music director will help you arrange music for your ceremony with wedding coordinators
  • The music director will arrange for all musicians.
  • No recorded service music.
Fees and Stipends (payable by cash, check or credit card):
• Wedding preparation fee: $300
• Minimum wedding coordinator stipend (per person): $100
• Recommended minimum presider's stipend (priest or deacon): $100
• Musicians (per person, per hour): $200