7) Wedding Day Planning

• Old Testament Readings 
• Responsorial Psalms 
• New Testiment Readings 
• Gopsel Readings 

• Prayers of the Faithful Examples
• Example Worship Aid for Mass

• Review the details: Readings, Songs, Celebrant, Musicians, Certificate, & Checklist
• Go to Confession as a couple the week before
• Sacrament al Celebration of Matrimony!
•  

Wedding Day:  Planning & Coordination

The Parish Marriage Prep Coordinator will help you with all coordination with your Wedding ceremony.  They will help facilitate your rehearsal and the ceremony on your wedding day and will be always available to help answer any questions you may encounter.  Photographers, videographers, bridal consultants, and similar persons need to confer with the Parish regarding all plans. 

Should there be a Mass?
There are two liturgical options for celebrating your marriage: the Rite of Marriage within Mass, and the Rite of Marriage without Mass. For a marriage between two Catholics, the Church recommends that the rite of marriage take place within the celebration of the Eucharist. If there are questions, feel free to discuss them with the priest or deacon who will be presiding at your ceremony. For marriage between a Catholic and a non baptized person, the rite of marriage will be celebrated outside Mass.

How much does it cost to get married in the Catholic Church?
Actually, nothing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2121) states very clearly that Sacraments are not for sale. We strive to celebrate all the sacraments with ceremony, dignity, beauty and prayerfulness, and in the manner intended by the Roman Catholic Church. Please keep in mind that the model for the celebration of a marriage is the Sunday Eucharist. The parish provides the services of the staff, formation for the couple and a dignified environment to help facilitate the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.

The facility cost and stipends associated with a wedding fall into three categories:

(1) Facility Cost.  Please contact the church location for details.
(2) Music ministers and others. In addition to an accompanist/organist, weddings may feature instrumentalists, a cantor and other singers. Fees can be discussed when the couple usually meets with the music director. If the celebration includes a Mass, and altar servers are present, they should be given a small offering.
(3) Celebrant’s stipend. The services of the priest or deacon are free, but it is customary to offer a stipend. Usually, no specific amount is suggested.

Worship Aid (program)
A printed worship aid, when properly prepared, encourages the active participation in the spoken and sung prayers of the service, as well as when to stand, sit and kneel.  It helps those who are unfamiliar with the Catholic Liturgy to understand its basic structure. A worship aid also provides a thoughtful remembrance of the occasion.  Please discuss this with your Marriage Prep Coordinator.

Lectors
In selecting someone to do the scripture readings, please keep in mind that the person who fills this liturgical role will be proclaiming the Word of God. These individuals should be instructed at the rehearsal on the appropriate timing and method to proclaiming the scriptures. It is most important that they be able to read so that the assembly can hear the Word of God.

Copies of the readings will be provided by the wedding coordinator and placed on the ambo (pulpit) prior to the liturgy. There is no need for the readers to carry a copy of the reading to the ambo.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
If your wedding will include the celebration of the Eucharist, there may be a need for extraordinary ministers to help with the distribution of Holy Communion. Family or friends who function as extraordinary ministers in their own parishes may fill this role during the wedding. Please discuss this matter with the PA for Marriage when planning the liturgy.

The Wedding Liturgy
Approximately one to two months prior to your ceremony you will meet to plan the details of your ceremony using the planning booklet given to you at your first meeting. The Wedding Liturgy is modeled on the Sunday Liturgy of the Parish, with the addition of the Rite of Marriage and Processional Music. Following is a brief outline of the Liturgy:

INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gathering of Assembly
Processional
Gathering Song (optional)
Greeting
Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading – read by a friend or family member
Responsorial Psalm (sung by the Cantor)
Second Reading – read by a friend or family member
Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia—sung by the Cantor)
Gospel Reading – proclaimed by the priest
Homily – priest or deacon

RITE OF MARRIAGE
Exchange of Consent, Vows, Rings
Song after vows (optional)
Prayer of the Faithful

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST  - (for Weddings with Mass)
Preparation of Table and Gifts
Eucharistic Prayer Acclamations (Holy, Holy; Acclamation; Great Amen)
Breaking of Bread
Communion Procession

CLOSING
Nuptial Blessing
Lord’s Prayer
Final Blessing
Recessional