St. Edward Church
Wedding Guidelines
revised November, 2008


I.  INTRODUCTION

You have requested to be married in the Roman Catholic Church.  We, at St. Edward's Parish, congratulate you on your forth coming celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  We wish to support you in your journey of faith and in your preparations for this Sacrament.  We are pleased that you have decided to enter marriage in the midst of our Catholic community.

The Church has always seen Christian marriage as much more than a contract between a man and a woman who are compatible and who love each other.  Christian marriage is a covenant:  a permanent, exclusive and faithful partnership of love between two people who belong not only to each other but also to Christ. 

The introduction to the Rite of Marriage states:  Married Christians in virtue of the sacrament of Matrimony, signify and share in the mystery of that unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and His Church; and they help each other to attain holiness in their married life and in the rearing and education of their children; and they have their own special gift among the people of God.  This document also states:  Christian couples, therefore, nourish and develop their marriage by undivided attention, which wells up from the fountain of divine love, while, in the merging of human and divine love, they remain faithful in body and in mind, in good times and in bad.

Married couples are a sign to the world of God's love and faithfulness.  We are thankful that you will be that sign for us.  It is important to understand and appreciate the significance of what you are promising and the serious responsibilities that follow.

At St. Edward's Parish we have responsibilities also.  We must be sure that you are in accord with both state and Church requirements, do freely consent to the responsibilities of Christian marriage, are sufficiently mature to undertake the responsibilities of marriage and family, display good judgment, and have a sufficient faith dimension in your lives to allow your marriage to take place within our faith community.  Furthermore, we must insure that your wedding liturgy itself is clearly sacred in character, that it truly reflects the sacramental reality that it is.

II.  USING THE APPROPRIATE RITE OF MARRIAGE

The Roman Catholic Church provides three distinct Rites for Marriage.  The appropriate Rite depends on the religious background and affiliation of the bride and groom.

The Rite for celebrating marriage during Mass is used when both the groom and bride actively live and practice their Catholic faith.

The Rite for celebrating marriage outside Mass is used when a Catholic marries a baptized person.

The Rite for celebrating marriage between and Catholic and an unbaptized person.


III.  RESERVING THE CHURCH

The priest/deacon, who will be the celebrant for your wedding, is the only person who can reserve the church for a wedding at St Edward's.  Any priest/deacon in good standing in the Church is welcome to be the celebrant.

According to Canon Law permission from the pastor is necessary before any clergy member (priest or deacon) can officiate at a wedding.  This permission is regularly given.  The visiting priest/deacon should contact the pastor to inform the parish concerning his intention to be the celebrant.  The priest/deacon who agrees to officiate at the wedding, is responsible to fully complete the prenuptial investigation papers, preside at the wedding rehearsal and liturgy.  Also note that the priest/deacon must be bonded in the State of Kentucky to officiate at a wedding legally.

a) Usually weddings may not be scheduled less than six months after an initial meeting with the celebrant.

b) Weddings are not ordinarily celebrated during the Lenten Season.

c) It is customary at St. Edward's to perform weddings for registered parishioners or for their children. 

d) We do not ordinarily perform weddings for non registered members.

e) In a case where an annulment is pending, a date for a wedding cannot be reserved until the annulment has been officially granted. 

f) There is no fee for weddings.  Often times a gift is offered to the parish for its ministry and support.


IV.  SPECIAL CASES

There are special cases in which additional concerns and/or policies are involved.  Sometimes these involve situations in which the couple's way of life has not been in harmony with the Church's professed vision of life.  Sometimes this disharmony is a matter of public knowledge which can make it a matter of scandal to other members of the believing community.  We welcome couples in such situations to the Church.  For them, this moment of matrimony is also a moment of reconciliation.  At the same time, these cases can sometimes be difficult.  We ask that couples who are reconciling with the Church at this time in their lives and who are asking the community to witness their vows be sensitive to the values of the community.  We want to be as helpful as possible, but we also ask couples to be open to our concerns.

a) Having a civil ceremony recognized by the Church:   Sometimes a couple has already been married "outside" the Church without appropriate permissions.  In these cases "convalidation" is required.  Convalidation is sometimes referred to as having the Church "bless" your civil marriage or "straighten out" your marriage according to Church law.  Usually convalidations are performed in a small, private ceremony.

b) Pregnancy or young age:  In the case of pregnancy or young age, one of the major concerns is the ability of the bride or groom to make a decision which is free from force, or fear, or pressure of any kind.  Statistics have shown that the success rate of a marriage which involves pregnancy and/or young age is low.  In order to help such couples explore these issues and to aid them in making sound decision for their lives, it is usually required that the couple seek counseling through Catholic Charities.  The priest/deacon will help you make these arrangements.

c) Cohabitation:  In cases involving cohabitation before marriage, many concerns arise.  This chosen lifestyle is not in accord with the Gospel, or the teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church.  Statistics have shown that those who cohabited before their marriage are more likely to divorce.  The issue goes beyond sexual intimacy outside the context of marriage.  The public nature of cohabitation can create a scandalous situation.  It is the responsibility of the couple to listen attentively to the suggestions of the priest/deacon, and to be sensitive to the Gospel values taught by Christ.

d) Inactive Catholics:  Sometimes the occasion of a wedding leads a couple to return to the Church after many years of being inactive in living and practicing their Catholic faith.  We welcome such individuals and sincerely hope that their return will be the beginning of a long and vibrant relationship with the Church.  However, some couples have no intention of returning to the Church.  Their only desire is to have the beauty of a "church wedding" without wanting to be members of the Church.  The priest/deacon must be concerned about the faith dimension required for the celebration of a Sacrament.


V.  MARRIAGE PREPARATION

Christian marriage is a permanent and exclusive covenant by which the married couple becomes a sacramental sign to the world of God's love and faithfulness.  This beautiful and sacred state of life, therefore, must be entered with proper reflection and preparation. 

To assist you the Diocese of Covington offers several marriage preparation programs.  You are required to participate in one of these programs.  An informational brochure is available through your priest/deacon. 

Also your participation in an approved Natural Family Planning course is a required component of marriage preparation in the Diocese of Covington.

It is preferable that these programs be one of the first steps in preparing for marriage.  It will help you to focus on what is important during the months of preparing not only for a wedding liturgy, but a marriage.

In addition to these programs, the celebrant will meet with you on several occasions to help prepare you for a life-long union and for the wedding liturgy itself.


VI.  MUSIC

Every liturgical celebration has music associated with it.  The music is an integral part of the celebration and reflects and supports what is being celebrated.  The assembly gathered at the wedding liturgy will celebrate God and God's action in our lives.  We celebrate God bringing the two of you together in marriage.  This being the context of the celebration, the music that is chosen in the liturgy must be religious in character.  It should reflect and express our faith and that of the Catholic Church.

To assist you in choosing appropriate music at the wedding liturgy you are asked to use the parish musicians whenever possible.  They are familiar with the appropriate music, the instruments, and the sound equipment of the parish.  Outside musicians are welcome, however, with prior approval of the pastor. 

Singing is an integral part of Catholic liturgy, therefore, if an instrumental ensemble, such as a string quartet is requested, other musicians will also be required to lead the assembly in song.

a)  The fees for the musicians' services are negotiated on an individual basis.
b)  The use of taped or recorded music is not permitted.
c)    Copyright laws regarding the performance of music and the printed program                   
      booklets must be observed.


VII.  PHOTOGRAPHY

Your wedding liturgy is a religious celebration that is happening in the present.  It is important to live the moment.  While photographs and videos are very valuable mementos, they must never become the central focus or an unwelcome intrusion.  We ask you to inform your photographer and your guests that the following regulations be observed:

a) Flash photography or lighting may not be used during the liturgy.
b) Photographers must remain outside the sanctuary during the liturgy.
c) If a video camera is used, it should be either in the rear or in a side aisle.
d) For those being married on Saturday afternoon, remember that Confessions begin at 4:45 and our Saturday Vigil Mass begins at 5:30.  All photographs must be completed no later than 4:15.

Reminder:  Only appropriate photographs should be taken and accomplished in a respectful manner in the church.  Also remember that during this time you are still in the presence of the Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  There shall be NO loud talking, shouting or running in the church by kids or anyone.  Eating, drinking, smoking in the church is prohibited. 


VIII.  DECORATIONS

Please keep in mind that during the liturgical seasons of the year the church is usually decorated with flowers or other seasonal appointments.  This is especially true during the Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons.  These decorations are not to be removed or altered in any way.  Please check with the pastor to see that your choice of decorations will be appropriate and will not conflict with the parish's seasonal arrangements and appointments.  Please consider this factor before contracting flowers with your florist.

Wedding decorations should be placed in the church just prior to the wedding liturgy and be removed immediately after.  Please make this arrangement with the florist so that the items do not cause disruption to other church liturgies.

If aisle candles are used they must be free standing.  Do not use tape of any kind to attach bows or flowers to the pews since it can remove the finish on the pews or make marks.

No throwing flower petals, confetti, rice or bird seed either inside or outside the church building.  No releasing of butterflies, doves, etc. is allowed.

The church does not employ a cleaning staff, so it is important that what is brought in for a wedding liturgy be removed by a responsible family member.  A few things to remember are: the flower boxes, programs removed from the pews and a general check of the interior of the church.


IX.  MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

1) The length of the aisle is fifty feet.  There are fourteen pews on each side of the church.

2) The clergy stipend for weddings is one hundred dollars.

3) The parish has altar servers who are willing to serve your wedding liturgy if you desire.  The usual stipend for them is ten dollars for each server.   This is optional.

4)  The wedding kneeler (located in the rear of the church) which is used on such an occasion may be used.  The groomsmen will be responsible for carrying it with the utmost care, since it is an artifact of the old church, to the front of church before the wedding liturgy and to return it after the liturgy. 

5) Food, alcohol, chewing gum:  It is not appropriate or permissible to bring any of these items into the church building.  It is not appropriate or permissible to bring or consume alcohol in the parking lot prior to or during the wedding rehearsal or wedding liturgy.

6)  Using Brinker Hall:  (maximum capacity is 90 persons)  Due to regulations concerning our parish's insurance policy, any individual person, family or non-parish organization which wishes to use Brinker Hall must secure separate liability coverage.  Often this coverage is attained through your home owner's policy.  Hall rental fee – fifty dollars; clean up fee - twenty five dollars.  If any parish or school property is damaged the renter is responsible for its replacement and/or repair.

The renter shall obtain and provide a certificate of liability insurance to the church office at least one month prior to the event.  The certificate should name "The Bishop of Covington or His Successor in Office, the Diocese of Covington and St. Edward Church” as additional insured for the date of the event.  The certificate of liability insurance shall be issued for a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage.

If you have not contracted to use the hall, St. Edward’s has no extra space for bridal party members to dress or use prior to the wedding.  The space in church is limited; rest rooms are very small.  Classrooms are never available for wedding use.



We have read St. Edward’s Wedding Guidelines.  We understand them and will abide by these guidelines.  

date __________________________________________

bride’s signature  _____________________________________________________________________

groom’s signature____________________________________________________________________

PLEASE return this bottom section to the pastor the second time you meet with him.