|
Initial Meeting with the Priest
Couples who wish to be married at St. Vincent de Paul must make an appointment for an
initial meeting with one of the parish priests at least eight months before the
wedding. No dates for marriages may be scheduled prior to this initial meeting.
During the initial meeting, the priest will gather the required information about the
bride and groom, and verify that both are free to marry. The priest will inform you at
this meeting of all documents that you are required to supply for your marriage. The priest
will also inform you of the requirements of the diocesan program of marriage preparation.
Couples must apply for a civil marriage license from the local county clerk. For more
information call (309) 672-6059 or www.peoriacounty.org/countyClerk/ml.
Length of Marriage Preparation
Engaged couples generally participate in a program of marriage preparation that lasts
between eight and twelve months. This time may be shortened in a case of need, but not
to less than four months. This period of marriage preparation focuses primarily on
preparing engaged couples for a successful life-long marriage with each other. This
marriage preparation focuses secondarily on planning the solemn religious ceremony.
Preparing in a Different Parish
If a couple can’t meet with the priest who will celebrate the wedding, it may be
possible to arrange for marriage preparation through another priest. This might occur
because of school, employment, or military obligations.
If a member of St. Vincent de Paul plans to complete marriage preparation here for
a marriage to be celebrated elsewhere, please contact a priest at least eight
months before the wedding. The priest who completes the preparation will send the marriage
documents to the church where the wedding will be celebrated. You must follow the local
policies for the marriage celebration in the parish where the wedding will take place.
If a Catholic who lives outside of Peoria has a connection with St. Vincent de
Paul and wishes to marry here, the parish should be contacted at least eight
months before the wedding. No wedding date will be scheduled until (1) both the bride
and groom meet personally with a priest at St. Vincent’s or (2) the parish receives
information that the couple has met with a priest who has accepted the responsibility
to prepare them for marriage. At least one month before the wedding, St. Vincent’s must
receive the completed marriage preparation documents. No marriage will take place unless
these documents have been received.
Wedding Ceremony and Mass
The marriage of two Catholics generally takes place within a Mass.
The marriage of a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic generally takes place
outside of Mass, as the non-Catholic spouse and the non-Catholic family are not
able to receive Communion. If the non-Catholic party consents, the marriage can be
celebrated at a Mass.
A marriage between a Catholic and a person who has not received the sacrament of
baptism cannot take place during a Mass, because of the essentially sacramental
nature of the Mass.
Parish Wedding Coordinator
The parish wedding coordinator will assist you with the following details of the marriage
ceremony: the organist, the cantor, other instrumentalists or vocalists if desired, the
choice of music, the selection of flowers, the number of attendants, and the program
for the ceremony. You must discuss your arrangements with the parish wedding coordinator,
even if you have selected your own musicians or vocalists. Outside musicians must contact
the parish wedding coordinator to arrange for rehearsal time.
Time for the Ceremony
Because of the parish Confession and Mass schedule, weddings are scheduled at 1:00 pm
(or earlier) on Saturdays. If the parish and the priest’s schedule permit, a wedding
may be scheduled on a Friday afternoon.
A wedding Mass typically lasts between 40 and 60 minutes. A wedding outside of Mass
typically lasts between 25 and 35 minutes. These times may vary greatly due to the size
of the bridal party, the number of guests, the amount of music selected, and the choice
of music.
Size of Bridal Party
It is best to limit the number of attendants in your wedding party to seven (7)
groomsmen and 7 bridesmaids, including the best man and maid or matron of
honor. You may add flower girls or ring bearers.
It is recommended that you provide at least two ushers, although the groomsmen may
serve as ushers if necessary.
Other Clergy
You are welcome to invite other clergy to join in the wedding ceremony. Please inform
the priest preparing you of any clergy you invite.
Seating in the Church
St. Vincent de Paul Parish seats approximately 800 people. The first few pews of the
center section are usually reserved for parents and grandparents. Other guests generally
sit in the center section of pews or along the right main aisle in order to better
observe the wedding party enter and leave the church.
Rehearsal
The wedding rehearsal takes place the evening before the wedding at a time mutually
agreed upon by the couple and the priest or parish wedding coordinator.
In addition to the bride and groom, please arrange for the following to be
present: the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the flower girl and ring bearer, the ushers,
any parents or relatives who are to be seated separately before the ceremony, and
the readers.
Please arrive approximately 15 minutes early so the rehearsal can start on time.
The rehearsal typically lasts 45 minutes.
Bride’s Room
On the day of the wedding, the bride and bridesmaids typically gather in the “cry
room” in the back of the church on the right. This room is suitable only for changing
into formal attire, but not for a make-over. Female attendants should plan to complete
their personal preparations before arriving at the church.
The groom and the groomsmen typically gather in the room off the sacristy in the
back of the church on the left.
Attire
The religious nature of the wedding ceremony requires that the gown for the bride
and her attendants be modest. The back of the dress and the décolletage must be of a
modest depth. A stole or shawl may be appropriate for the church ceremony for the sake
of modesty.
Choice of Music
The parish wedding coordinator will discuss your choice of music for the wedding
ceremony. Because your marriage is a religious celebration, only sacred music can be
used at the ceremony. Other secular music including show tunes and Broadway songs must
be reserved to your reception.
Flowers
Many couples order two floral arrangements for placement in the sanctuary. Additional
candles and an aisle runner, if desired, are usually available from most florists.
The aisle is 75 feet long. The parish wedding coordinator can advise you further.
Mary’s Altar and Unity Candle
The unity candle is not a part of the Catholic Rite of Marriage and is not required.
Couples who wish to have a unity candle may place it near Mary’s Altar on the right side
of the sanctuary. The lighting of the unity candle is done toward the end of the ceremony
at the time of the traditional procession to Mary’s Altar. If you have a unity candle,
you must also supply two small tapers with holders.
The parish wedding coordinator can discuss your options for a procession to Mary’s Altar.
Photography
You are welcome to make arrangements for still and video photography at the
marriage ceremony. The photographer must not distract from the ceremony nor enter
the sanctuary. Questions can be directed to the parish wedding coordinator.
You are welcome to take individual or group pictures after the ceremony. Any pictures must
be taken within 30 minutes after the wedding ceremony to avoid interfering with
Saturday afternoon confessions and Masses.
Because your time for photos after the wedding is limited, please plan to take as many
of your pictures as possible before the ceremony.
After the Ceremony
You are not allowed to throw rice, confetti, or bird seed as the wedding
party leaves the church. Soap bubbles or flower petals are permitted, although you
are responsible for sweeping them away from the front of the church.
Because there is limited time on a Saturday afternoon before confessions and Mass, you
are not permitted to have a receiving line nor dismiss the guests
individually. You are encouraged to receive your guests at the reception site.
Clean Up
Any candles, aisle runners, flower petals, programs, and any other decorations that
have been brought must be removed after the wedding before Confessions at 3:00
pm on Saturday. Floral arrangements may be left in the church for the benefit of
the parish. Except for floral arrangements left behind, couples must follow the
rule: Leave the church as you found it.
Please make arrangements with someone at your wedding to assist with the clean up.
Cost
There is no fee for parishioners to be married at St. Vincent de Paul. Couples
traditionally offer an honorarium to the priest for celebrating the wedding.
Please also remember the wedding coordinator whose work helps prepare for the ceremony
and insures that it is reverent and beautiful.
If you were prepared for marriage elsewhere by another priest, please also
remember the priest who prepared you for marriage.
Alcohol
Alcohol is strictly forbidden on parish property. No alcohol may
be consumed prior to the rehearsal or prior to the wedding ceremony.Individuals
who violate this policy may be ejected from the rehearsal or the wedding ceremony.
Contact Us
For answers to other questions or to begin your marriage preparations, please
contact the rectory:
St. Vincent de Paul Parish
6001 N University
Peoria, IL 61614
(309)691-3602
www.svdppeoria.com
Our parish wedding coordinator is:
Carol Wake
(309) 682-6574
or (309) 231-6574
Revised 10/1/07
|