St. Monica Church

• Baptism
  • Requirements for Parents
  • Steps for Preparation
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Youth Confirmation
  • Confirmation Service Events
  • Confirmation Sponsors
  • Parent Meetings
  • Confirmation Rehearsal & Date
• Adult Confirmation
• First Confession and First Holy Communion
• Marriage Preparation
  • Getting Started
  • Practical Considerations
  • Preparing for Marriage
  • Helpful Marriage Links
  • Marriage Enrichment
• Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
  • Additional Resources for Becoming Catholic
• Religious Education

Practical Considerations

Wedding Ceremony

It is important to remember that your wedding is taking place in a religious setting.

If the bride and groom are both Catholic, the wedding is usually celebrated with a Nuptial Mass. If the bride or the groom is a baptized non-Catholic, the wedding may be celebrated with a Mass or without a Mass, as you decide (only the Catholic will receive Holy Communion). If the bride or the groom is not baptized, the wedding is celebrated without a Mass.

Scripture Readings

As a way to assist you in planning your wedding ceremony, you can select your readings from this PDF document. The document contains Scripture readings, prayers and blessings appropriate for weddings that can be used to personalize your ceremony. Inform the celebrant about the selections you make at the time of the rehearsal.

Music

Dr. Jeremy Wirths, our Music director, will help you with the music selections for your wedding ceremony. The music selected must be suitable for the religious nature of your wedding. Music should be chosen four weeks before the wedding date. To set up a wedding music consultation, please email Dr. Wirths at .

Decorating the Church

Only live flowers may be used. It is customary that all flower arrangements used in the Church for your wedding be left in the Church for the weekend Masses. During the Christmas or Easter season, the arrangements that are already in the Church may not be moved or rearranged.

Pew bows may be used but they must be attached without tape (Ribbons or snail clips are permitted).

Candlebras may be used, but drip glass candles should be used to prevent damage to the floor. A unity candle is permitted.

Aisle cloths and archways may be used, but the arch must not block the view of the altar for the congregation.

Photography/Videography

Flash photography may be taken as the wedding party enters and leaves the Church. No flash photography is allowed after the bride and groom come to the Altar. No spotlights may be used during the wedding. No one is allowed to enter the Altar area during the ceremony. Photographers and videographers are asked to be discreet when moving around during the ceremony. After the wedding, group pictures may be taken at the Altar.