HOW TO SCHEDULE A WEDDING

Congratulations on your decision to get married. We are happy that you want to get married in the Church and receive the sacrament of marriage.

The first step is to register for the wedding by filling out a google form. You do not need a google account to complete the form. CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM.

The second step is to make an appointment with me to start the paper work and the preparation. I have office hours on Saturdays from 9:30am till noon and on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30pm at the Parish office which is located at St. Joseph rectory (1335 N Main Street). If these office hours work in terms of your schedule you can schedule a appointment with me on line through Sign-up Genius. If you are not comfortable scheduling an appointment in this way, or these hours do not work into your schedule you can also make an appointment by calling Shanna Lubold in the office (508-673-1123).

Please bring to this initial meeting all sacramental records for baptism and confirmation. The baptismal record has to be recent. You should get this one first because Confirmation information should be included on it. The confirmation record does not have to be recent. There is no need for a first communion record. We need a baptismal record for those baptized outside of the catholic Church.

Fr Fred Babiczuk

SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INFORMATION

1. Music: It is suggested that you arrange for your music soon after you have met with the parish priest. Our parish has and organist and cantor available to you and their information is available from the priest. Music selections must be made according to the Diocesan Guidelines which simply put are to be “Church music in church and non-church music elsewhere.” All financial arrangements between yourselves and the musicians are to be handled directly and not through the arranging priest. For more information on music for your wedding see HERE.

2. Time of Celebration: Weddings can scheduled on Saturdays starting at 11AM until 1PM (the latest) Friday Weddings can be also arranged.

3. Flowers and Decorations: You may wish to provide flowers for the sanctuary for your wedding. The flowers provided for the sanctuary are a gift to the church and are not to be removed to be used at the reception or dinner. An “aisle runner” for the church is not allowed. Bows, etc., on pew ends are allowed but must be fastened by ribbon only; not clamps, sticky stuff, etc., only ribbon. They must be removed immediately after the ceremony.

4. Photographer/Videographer: Most couples like to have a remembrance of their wedding ceremony. However, we make every effort to make sure that your wedding ceremony is in every way possible a spiritual expression of faith. To that end, please be sure they contact the parish office with any questions in regards to photographing inside the church. At no time will they be allowed in the sanctuary of the church, but they may discretely move about the church aisles without interrupting your guests view. They should speak to the priest before the Mass if they have any questions.

5. Rice-Throwing/bubbles: We would ask that you kindly inform your guests to refrain from throwing rice, flower petals or anything else.

6. Wedding Candles/Unity Candle: There is no necessity of having wedding or unity candles. They are not part of the official Catholic Rite. They are not used in the Church. 

7. Other Priests and Ministers: If you have a relative or a close friend who is a priest or deacon and you would like to invite him to witness your marriage, you are most welcomed to do so. Please discuss this with the priest so that the necessary permissions, both legal and ecclesiastical, can be obtained. 

8. Offering to the Church: It is customary to give a free-will offering to the parish on the occasion of the celebration of a marriage. We have no set fee for parishioners. Please give what you can afford.

9. Gift for the Celebrant: The free-will offering does not go to the Celebrant. If you wish to give him something, please do so in a separate envelope. This is completely optional.

10. Marriage Preparation. The couple will be required to take part in the Marriage Preparation Program of the Diocese of Fall River or a similar program in their own diocese as part of their preparation for marriage.  For the Diocese of Fall River the program information can be found on the following website www.fallriverfaithformation.org under “Programs”, then to Marriage Preparation.

11. What if I am not a member of the Parish? There are many couples who are not members of our parish or diocese. We are happy to accommodate those couples when possible. A letter of permission from one of the pastors of the couple other than our own must be presented when the papers are filled out.

12. What should I contact the Parish? The Guidelines for the Diocese of Fall River regarding marriage clearly state that those wishing to marry should notify the parish priest at least eight months before the wedding date to fill out the paper work.

13) The wedding rehearsal. Wedding rehearsals are usually held the night before the wedding. Anyone who is taking a part in the ceremony, or walking in the procession should be present. Please be on time. We kindly ask that you remind all guests that proper Church etiquette is expected and ask that bottles of water, coffee or chewing gum are not brought into the Church. 

 14) There are two options in regard to the procession:

1. The traditional procession: Ushers as a group, two by two; bridesmaids in single file; ring bearer and flower girl; maid of honor; bride with father.

2. The family procession: Ushers and bridesmaids two by two; flower girl and ring bearer; best man and maid of honor; groom with parents; bride with parents.

AFTER THE WEDDING

You will be given a copy of your certificate of marriage at the time of your wedding. Should you need additional copies in the future, they will be available at the Parish Office. Register in your parish as soon as possible after the wedding. (Register at St. Joseph's by calling the parish office.) You are now a new family and it will be your responsibility to register in the parish where you will be living whether this is St. Joseph's or some parish elsewhere.

Please contact the parish office with any questions at 508-673-1123.

WEDDING PLANNING RESOURCES

As outlined above, here are some wedding planning resources that will assist you while planning your wedding at St. Michael’s Church.

Music Guide: HERE
Readings Selections: HERE
Link to Pre-Cana Registration: HERE