Begin to envision your wedding ceremony. Should it be
long and symbolic? Short and sweet? Do you want to
include all the wedding ceremony traditions or just
the highlights?
Pick wedding date and time preferences. Depending on
your church, there may be times of year, or even times
of the day, which are off-limits. Formal weddings are
often held at noon, during High Mass, when a choir is
available. A priest must clear weddings during Lent or
Advent.
Choose a location and officiant. Remember that most
(or nearly all) priests won't marry couples outside a
church. In fact, the wedding often must be held at the
bride's home parish. The couple may need permission to
marry in a different church.
Explore your church's marriage requirements. You may
have to show your baptismal certificate. Some churches
require proof of communion and confirmation as well.
If either you or your mate isn't Catholic, ask your
priest about intermarriage requirements and possible
conversion.
If you're marrying in a Roman Catholic Church, you
cannot remarry without an annulment if your first
spouse is still alive. The process can be long and
complicated, so if either one of you needs an
annulment, start the paperwork now.
9-11 Months Before
Meet with your officiant to discuss ceremony structure
and marriage requirements. Your priest may want to
help you to choose readings and blessings for the
ceremony.
Begin Pre-Cana, the premarital preparation program
required by the Church.
Ask your priest about dress requirements, such as
covering one's shoulders for the bride. Also, inquire
into any other rules specific to your ceremony site
like no aisle runners or tossing items allowed.
Choose your bridal party members. The Catholic Church
prefers that both the best man and the maid of honor
be Catholic (although only one must be). Make sure
they understand what's involved.
If either you or your mate isn't Catholic, ask your
priest about intermarriage requirements and possible
Conversion.
6-8 Months Before
Make arrangements with your church if you or other
bridal party members want to participate in morning
Mass and receive communion before the wedding.
Consult with your stationer about invitations,
programs, and place cards. You may want to order pew
cards to ensure close family and friends are seated in
the first few rows of the church.
Choose ceremonial music and musicians. "Ave Maria" is
traditionally sung at Roman Catholic weddings. Find
out if the church provides performers.
3-4 Months Before
Decide who will be part of the ceremony. Most churches
allow two family members to read biblical passages
during the ceremony.
Consider ceremony and reception decoration needs, such
as an aisle runner, flowers, wineglasses, and candles.
Book a rehearsal-dinner site and finalize your guest
list.
If you are marrying in a Roman Catholic Church and
wish to receive a Papal Blessing, contact the chancery
office of your local diocese. They will send you an
application to fill out and return to either the
diocese or directly to an address in Rome (noted on
the application). Some of the information that will be
requested is the date of your ceremony and where it
will take place, the phone number and address of the
priest presiding over your wedding, and so on. There
is a small donation fee, which varies from diocese to
diocese. Return times also vary, from six weeks to two
months.
2 Months Before
Order ceremony programs if you plan to use them. It
helps to have programs so your non-Catholic guests
will understand the rich spirituality and symbolism of
a Catholic wedding.
Contact your church about posting Banns (a notice of
your intention to wed). In the past, they were posted
outside the church doors to allow anyone with valid
reason to stop the wedding. Presently, Banns are
printed in the church bulletin or announced during a
Sunday service.
Prepare and mail invitations. If you're concerned that
your ushers won't know where to sit honorary guests,
consider including pew cards for family and friends
who should be seated in the first few rows of the
church. Guests can present these cards to ushers at
your ceremony as a sign that they should be seated in
the reserved area. Otherwise, be sure to make
introductions at the rehearsal dinner.
3-4 Weeks Before
Have a final meeting with your priest.
Finalize vows, readings, and other special ceremony
details.
Send rehearsal dinner invitations.
1-2 Weeks Before
Touch base with your priest.
Day Before
Rehearse the ceremony.
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